Tammany Trace, Covington, Louisiana

April 29, 2015
50 miles

I forgot to mention that yesterday after our ride, as I leaned over to take my shoes off, I heard a hissing noise coming from the back tire on our bike. Sure enough when we arrived at the hotel in Louisiana we had a flat tire. Before we left home we bought new tires to bring with us because the ones on our bike were showing lots of wear.  Clay decided that as long as he was changing the tube on the back tire he might as well change tubes and tires on both wheels. So our hotel room became a bike repair workshop.

We started our ride today at the Abita Springs Trailhead. Immediately the man that we parked next to began a conversation with us. He had noticed our out of state license plate and was curious about  what brought us to the area. He gave us lots of helpful information about the trail and what kind of snakes we could possibly encounter while riding "The Trace". I am happy to report that I saw ZERO snakes today. But, I did see a turtle!

Out of the three trails we've ridden on this trip, Tammany Trace was the most used. We even saw another couple on a tandem. We passed them going each way. Many of the people we passed threw greetings our way and when we would stop to take a picture people passing would ask if everything was alright. Clay and I give this trail the "Most Friendly" award!

The flora and fauna along the trace were what you would expect for southern Louisiana. Lots of swamps, spanish moss and insects. The weather today was lovely, sunny skies and temps in the 70s. We had a hard time deciding when to stop biking, hence the fifty miles. And for all my Weight Watcher friends out there, I earned 32 activity points today. Sweet!

Longleaf Trace Trail, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

April 28, 2015
30 miles

Well, we went in search of warmer weather and let's just say we are headed in the right direction! It was 66 degrees and overcast when we started out this morning. By the time we ended the clouds were breaking up and the temperature was very comfortable. We were actually very happy that we even got to ride because the rain chances had been very high for today. We thought we would be taking a rain day and wait for tomorrow to ride. But, surprise, the weatherman was wrong!

We started out in Hattiesburg on the campus of the University of Southern Miss. The trail is 40 miles long but we knew we wouldn't get to ride the complete trail since we didn't have anyone to move our car to the other end. So we rode out 15 miles, turned around and came back. The trail was extremely nice. Very wide (a minimum of 10 foot wide) and the surface was asphalt. So our average mph was higher today than yesterday. Yesterday we averaged 11 mph, today 15.5 mph.

This trail was part of a tree identification program so the section we rode had identification signposts labeling some trees. I saw some trees I had never heard of. It was quite interesting. There were many areas to stop and rest and enjoy the scenery. The scent today was just as wonderful. Again, I smelled honeysuckle but today it was mixed with aroma from the pine trees and the after rain fragrance. 

We did have a near disaster with a squirrel. We were clipping right along (15 mph) and a squirrel on the side of the trail couldn't decide which way he wanted to dart. At the last second he shot out toward us on a collision course with our front tire. Right before our tire would have hit him he changed directions! Clay said he was sure we were going to go down. Too close for my comfort level!

One other interesting thing happened. When we finished and were loading our bike on the car a reporter for a local TV station came up to us. She asked if we had ridden the trail. She said they are getting ready to expand the trail and her station was going to run a piece about it. We told her we were from Illinois and that we were riding a trail in every state. She asked if she could ask us a few questions on camera about the trail and what we thought about it. So, I guess tonight or very soon we'll be on the news in Hattiesburg! Why do things like this have to happen to me after riding 30 miles and having helmet hair!!!

Delta Heritage Trail, Barton, Arkansas

April 27, 2015
20 miles
We began our ride at the Walnut Corner trailhead in Barton, Arkansas. There is a park visitor center located here with nice, clean restrooms and a quaint gift store. Yes, we found something for the grandkids! The lady working here was friendly and knowledgeable about the trail.

This is our
first out-of-state ride this year. We went south looking for warmer weather.
Today, we didn't find it. It was in the upper 50s and overcast (it sprinkled on
us driving to the trailhead) with a brisk NE wind. I had to wear several layers
of riding clothes and even my ear muffs.

In
spite of the cold weather, I thoroughly enjoyed the trail. It is a former Union
Pacific Railroad right-of-way that has been turned into a biking/hiking trail,
passing through rich delta wetlands. The surface was crushed limestone so that
slowed us down a bit. Trees provided a shaded canopy for a majority of the
trail, the honeysuckle was just starting to bloom so the scent was heavenly,
and, I even spotted a bluebird in the bushes today.






Some historical highlights of the trail included crossing over Lick Creek where a Civil War Skirmish took place, and we stopped at the Lake View trailhead which was a "New Deal" community.

Deeper south we go in search of warmer temperatures!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

February 19, 2015
12 miles

How strange for me to be writing about a bike ride in February. A few weeks ago we were on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean enjoying the sun and warm temperatures. I almost felt guilty knowing that back home the highs were in the 20's and it was snowing. I have decided that going on a cruise in February should be an annual event!

While in San Juan we decided to take a bike riding excursion. We rode past historic sights and beautiful beaches. Our tour guides were all born and raised in Puerto Rico and gave us quite a bit of San Juan  history during the ride. Had a very enjoyable time and felt completely safe riding on and through the streets of San Juan. 

 Escambron Beach

 Mercado Santurce, 100 year-old market where we enjoyed a delicious banana smoothie

 Clay holding a Sea Urchin at Condado Lagoon Forest Reserve

 Capital Building

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Our biking group posing by the San Juan Bautista Statue

A street in Old San Juan

Trail Sweet Trail

June 7, 2014
33 miles

Oh, how sweet it is to be riding on my home trails! Normally I do not blog about rides here at home but because it has been awhile since I have ridden here in Edwardsville I thought I would write a short blog. 

Since last August I have actually been away from home more than I have been at home, so my riding here has suffered. The last time I rode these trails was October 3, 2013. Today's forecast called for rain starting around noon so Clay and I decided that if we wanted to get a ride in today we would have to get up early. 

Had a very nice ride! It is so relaxing to ride my home trails because I know them. When we ride trails in other states it is exciting because they are new but it is a little stressful because of the unfamiliar. We spent a lot of time talking as we rode today, more than normal. I guess we are still getting caught up on being apart so much this year. Saw a deer up close (I don't know why it didn't dart away). Took some pictures, including a selfie. Stopped and ate an early lunch at Subway before heading home. Now as I am writing it is pouring rain! So happy that we got our ride in!

South Platte River Trail, Denver, Colorado

May 28, 2014
70's
22 miles

We hired a guide for todays ride. His name is Paul Craig and he happens to be my brother who lives in the Denver area. We were excited to have him ride along with us today. We joined the South Platte River Trail northeast of Denver. Rode along the Platte River, crossing it several times before getting into the downtown area. In the downtown area Cherry Creek joined with Platte River at Confluence Park. Many people were out enjoying the nice weather, we also saw some kayakers in the river while there.

Paul, Kathy & Clay

Downtown Denver

We continued riding and ended at Mile High Stadium before turning around. Stopped at a Subway on the way back for lunch. Two miles before we got back to the parking lot we had an incident with Paul's bicycle seat. The saddle completely broke off and if he stood up it would have fallen to the ground. I think I should start carrying duct tape with us. I could have fixed that baby if I had only had some!

In front of Mile High Stadium

Confluence Park, downtown Denver

Today's ride is the last on this vacation. Tomorrow we head home. It has been really fun reconnecting with many friends these last two weeks. A big thanks to all who hosted us. We love and appreciated you all.

Provo River Parkway, Provo, Utah

May 26, 2014
65 degrees
25 miles

Memorial Day + Perfect Weather = Lots and lots of people on the trail! Had a great ride. We started out from the Bed & Breakfast and only had to ride a few blocks to get on the trail. Yesterday I had researched the trail conditions. Several people commented that the trail, before the mouth of the canyon, was very rutted and also dangerous in spots that went under roadways. Well, they were correct! The sections that go under roads were very narrow and as you go down on one side you can't see if someone is coming the opposite direction, and if there happens to be someone coming, there is no room to pass each other. It was very stressful! Also, there were quite a few big bumps. I called them "Bell Ringer" bumps because they were so big that when we went over them it rang our bicycle bell! Once we got to the mouth of the canyon, the trails were very good! We just had to watch all the other people coming and going. Walkers, joggers, long boarders, scooters, inline skaters, dog walkers and all kinds of bicycles.

Mouth of the Canyon

Coming back down through the canyon today two young boys, who were going up, started yelling to us to hold out our hands. They both had their hands extended and wanted to slap hands with us. It was charming. No one has ever done that to us before! When we got back to the mouth of the canyon and was heading back to the B&B, we decided to ride on the street and not the bumpy, stressful trail. The road had a very wide shoulder and it was Nice! We didn't have any "Bell Ringers" out on the road!

Hines Mansion B&B

We met a couple from Alabama this morning at breakfast, who are staying at the same B&B we are. They mentioned that they are trying to visit each of the 50 states. We found it amusing that we are doing the same thing only on a bicycle. For them Utah is their 47th state whereas for us it is our 26th! I don't think our paths will cross again since they only have 3 states left!

Bridal Veil Falls

Mt. Timpanogos