Las Trampas Waterfall

A rushing waterfall in Las Trampas Regional Park the day of a heavy rainstorm.

Sage Advice

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“
---Mark Twain

Moss Maiden

Stop trying to look up her dress!
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There is really not a lot of information online about Moss people.

Romantic Meal À DEUX!

R-O-M-A-N-C-E A word that means many things to many people. For some romance is showing up with a bouquet of flowers and a little box with a month’s salary in it, while for others it means going for a bike ride and enjoying a picnic lunch. Regardless of your interpretation, romance is still the single most important thing in a relationship and the surest way to declare your love for someone.
So what better way to reclaim romance than with a romantic meal à deux? Whether you’re looking for the cinematic allure of dining along the Seine or the serenity of an oceanfront dinner under the stars, a romantic meal isone of the best ways to show that special person just ‘how much’ you love them.

Here are some of enchantinglyromanticplaces todine.

Bon Appétit Mon Amour!

Roof-top dining at the Palazzo Manfredi - Rome, Italy

Outdoor dining at the Mahua Kothi -Bandhavgarh National Park, India

Rooftop dining at La Sultana -Marrakech, Morocco

Outdoor dining at Hacienda San Jose -Tixkokob, Mexico

Verandah dinner at Singita Grumeti Reserves, Sasakwa Lodge -Serengeti, Tanzania

Picnic on the beach at Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa - Maldives

Private beach dining at Banyan Tree Bintan - Bintan, Indonesia

A Little Food for Much Thought

To become all that we are meant to be, we must learn to become a little less than we demand to be. Joan Chittister from The Liturgical Year.

Some understanding might be found in the Gospel of St. John 12:24: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

Discussion now open.

First Singletrack, Snow, Night Ride

Previously, I have been riding singletrack at Manawa; I have ridden there in the snow; and I have ridden there at night (with handlebar light). Tonight's Thursday Night Ride, for the first time I was able combine all in one ride.
Needed to get out and ride today. Meeting up for the TNR to pick up a Trail Group display board was just the excuse (as if I need an excuse to ride) I needed. I was there early to get in a warm-up ride before dark.
Some nine of us rode. They are all much faster and better riders then me, but I had a good ride. Made a full lap after dark. Stopped several times to take photos (yes, that is the same tree that I parked my bike at for the previous photo).
Trail condition was snow covered ice, with spots of grease. My hardtail with studded tires performed great.

After 11+ miles and just short of 2 hours, I ended up with a slight headache. That's probably from the concentration needed to ride in the woods, in the snow, at night. For me, every new accomplishment makes me stronger.

Home and Flood Report

Monday I drove home from Deerwood, MN. Had a good time at the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival. Talked with one of the organizers, commented on a couple things I liked and did not like about the festival. She said they are planning to send out a survey (which I had recommended). Uneventful drive home - just tired. Still was able to pick up the mail and stop by the bike shop to check on my road bike.
Tuesday, I just could not get out of bed. Over slept and missed breakfast. Did got out and about in time for my doctor appointment (physical). No problems other the aches and pains from the crash and age. Picked up the road bike (was in for its first annual inspection and tune-up). Rest of the day - crashed.
Wednesday I just had to get out on the bike, even though I was a bit tired. Parked at Lake Manawa (at the nature walk). Plans were to survey the trails so see how far I can ride. Here's What I have found, so far.

Heading toward the Wabash Trace - Mosquito Creek is flooding the trail under the railroad.

Construction of the new trail connecting Lake Manawa Trail to the Veteran's Memorial Trail (East side of Lake Manawa).

Missouri River Boat Ramp Parking Lot - and our mountain bike trails).

Bridge over Indian Creek - Note the people on the far end of the bridge. That's National Guard patrolling the levee. Officials do not want the public on the levee, at all.

Indian Creek under Highway 92.

Veteran's Memorial Trail at S. 24th St.

Iowa Riverfront trail behind the Western Historic Trails Center.