Getting close to riding season in the heartland. Friday I took the road bike out for its first ride of the year. Felt good (though a bit different as had been riding the hybrid).
Yesterday was the day to ride dirt. The first ride ride of the year at area. Over the winter I tried to ride Manawa in the snow - but it was just to crusty. I started seeing reports of the area dirt trails were opening. Even one report that Lake Manawa trail was rideable.
Since it was a windy day (way too much wind for a ride out in the open), I opted to ride Manawa. I started out with West Sidewinder - generally the driest trail. I could see that others have been riding here. Trail is in good shape - enough traffic to smooth the bumps.
Stopped in the parking lot to visit with a CB Police Officer (a mountain biker). Gave him a trail report. Then on over to the East side. The trail was dry through Riverfront Real Estate. The double track from there to Fast Track was soft. Not damaging the trail, but sure have to work at pedaling!
Fast Track was mostly dry (surprisingly). Tony's playground was is in good shape. Some minor reroutes from downed trees. The "four-log" FFT was completely removed (likely by trail crew - it was moved with high water).
On to Longs Landing. Here I faced the wind that was kicking up. A large downed tree has been removed and features a THOR advertisement. Trail Leader had said there was lots of work done to clear trees out there - sure was the case. A minor re-route at the gravel road.
In many open sections of the trails, I notice there are several places the "singletrack' is almost at 4-lane highway. Now, with the floods the last 2 years, parts of the trail our not that visible. But - the trails is singletrack. Please ride ONE track. (photo above)
On the back side of Fast Track over to No Second Chance, there is mud just before the double track connector (lower photo). The ditch just past there is also very soft - most are riding the grass over the the levee and back.
The ditch at the black pipe is soft. As is the trail just past the pipe. There again, the trails is not defined from numerous riders.
By the time I was back to the car, my legs were too tired to ride Woodchopper. i would expect it would be in the same condition.
Here is the Walker family crest; Walker being my paternal grandmother's maiden name. It means Care and Industry. I find that very curious since those are the two things I'm constantly trying to balance. On one hand I want to take care of my home, family, and friends, but on the other hand I want to get lots of things done. 
The rack in the folded up position.
The rider must bring the rack into the ready position.
The first bike will be placed nearest the bus.
The second bike will go on the side farthest from the bus.
Ms. Barritt describes the process and what to expect when using the racks.
That's my bike on the outside position. Note that only the front wheel is tied down to the rack. Despite that, the rack and the securing arm seemed very secure and should safely hold the bike while in transit.
I’m so glad that I went – her talk was great, Book People is a wonderful local bookstore, and it’s always fun to get together with friends.
After the talk, she personally thanked us for coming out and then a swarm of people brought their books up for inscriptions, followed by clerks bearing stacks of books bought by people unable to attend, but who'd requested signatures.
finding shrubs for the new border, a palm for the patio, and some perennials. The wind was fierce on Saturday afternoon, and local fire departments struggled to put out fires that had started in fields and soon threatened homes. Sunday was a calmer day – and we made more progress on the border.
the current style of singing doesn't do much for me - listening to more than one song like those from Dreamgirls gives me a headache. Cranky old Annie prefers Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin as the singing Johnson Sisters in A Prairie Home Companion. That’s the movie that earned my money in .. – both at the box office and when I bought the DVD.
I write like
Here's a photo I took of Darcie and Prince with the super high speed film. I handtinted her ribbon and cheek pink and the cat's eyes green. It's really grainy. I love it! I have it on my wall in an 11x14. Click on the photo to see it enlarged. I can't wait until I get the other roll back.
The NW corner of the park usually has its own share of flood related damage each year. And though it's not unusual for there to be Carbon River inspired washouts, this rainstorm brought substantially more destruction to the area. For example, here is the idyllic Ipsut Creek Cabin. It suffered heavily during the flood. Is it me, or does this place remind you of Yoda's house on Dagoba?
This creek diversion gives literal meaning to the name, Ipsut Creek Cabin. If Yoda did live here, he'd have to use quite a bit of "the force" to fix things. 
As for the Carbon River Road, more than two miles of it washed away in at least four separate spots. In some places, the river flowed down the middle of the road (like here). For climbers, this could spell delay in early season attempts of Liberty Ridge.