"ON" THE ONCE BEATEN PATH

 I haven't mentioned our illustrious Governor Walker in a while but today of all days he became part of our anniversary bike ride...

You see one of the many budget cuts he has made was to the DNR besides removal of scientists, the parks have been hit hard apparently including jobs for maintenance. Granted that it has been very rainy but the condition of the once pristine bike trail to Trempealeau is sad and in very poor shape. 

In the past maintenance was weekly and the rail bed trails were cleared of debris much less grass covered. Now overgrown with a grass median, navigation is more challenging.

                                                        Known for its many bridges crossing marshland and river,  the Trempealeau bike trail bridges also have numerous deteriorating railroad ties and planks in addition to loose boards with protruding dangerous bolt heads.  Whether walking/jogging/ cycling these could cause quite an injury- 

Users need to pay close attention to more than just crossing wildlife.

BUT I must say besides having to heeding the trail conditions it was a gorgeous day for the first day of summer. A cooler day than its predecessor (not 90), blue skies and wild life. It was quiet except for the bull frogs croaking, bird calls and occasional wildlife, it was a great day for a bike ride. 

Our nature sightings started with a large snake slithering off the trail before me ( Natureman wanted to go back to look at it, I kept pedaling) followed by two turtles, 2 hopping frogs, an egret, a dread shrew, numerous birds, butterflies flitting and this little guy at the end of our ride. 

The phlox wasn't in its peak but there were wild roses, daisy bane, spiderwort, cinquefoil and these ginormous dandelions.

The bonus of this ride is a treat at the end before heading back of a cold root beer and walnut burgers at the Trempealeau Hotel. They held us over until our traditional anniversary picnic.

We waited for our bubbly toast back in La Crosse by the backwaters of the Mississippi. Natureman had bought and packed smoked whitefish, cheese, crackers and of course, the chilled wine flutes to toast another 14 years... Will it go as fast? I'll be 76 and he'll be 82. Life seems to parallel the bike ride, the return trip seems to go much faster. 

Meanwhile here's to another 14!  L'chaim . To Life.