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7:15 a.m., and the boats are already out on the Lake Herman. Carpe Diem... and carpe carp!
Lake Herman, brilliant gem of the prairie. Bring your shades!
On the north side of the lake, next to the golf course, a polite driver avoid getting bicycle guts on his front bumper. Thanks for giving wide berth!
Northeast edge of Lake Herman: Prairie Village church and the old rail snowplow.
One fisherman on Territorial Road hasn't rolled out of bed yet. No rush: there's plenty of time, plenty of carp....
Prettiest drive in the county: Territorial Road, curving by Dick Simpson's house.
Lake Herman spillway up ahead, nice shady spot to sit and fish (or dream!)
The people's park—best public lake access in the county.
Hey, bub! Put down the camera and watch the road!
Crowded main campground at Lake Herman State Park (do I smell pancakes?)
Hey! Someone's actually camping in a tent! That's the pioneer spirit!
View of Camp Lakodia's gazebo from Lake Herman State Park shelter area #2 (download alert—big JPG file!)
Hey, there's someone out there! Good morning!
Past the campground, up the hill, into the sun.
Down the hill, hiker ahead, northeast of Herman Pond (yes, there's a Lake and a Pond!)
What high gas prices? Lots of big trucks at the east boat ramp, Lake Herman (and it's still before 8 a.m.). Oh well -- I'm sure my bicycling made up for the gas these folks are using. ;-)
Half mile east of Lake Herman State Park: the Madison skyline! Farmers Elevator and fertilizer plant.
The only extra lane Highway 34 needs: the new bike trail, heading east. Let's expand this lane all the way to I-29... or maybe just around Lake Madison, back along the creek all the way through Madison, around Lake Herman, down the Vermillion River Valley....
My trusty purple steed at 
Oops—looks like Lake Herman didn't filter out all the algae. Just a reminder that all the money in those McMansions isn't the only green at Lake Madison.
"How to Enjoy the Trail"—If you have to ask....
At Chautauqua Avenue and SD-34, north side of Lake Madison: Signs, signs, everywhere a sign....
Random bike thought: not a bad Scrabble draw. Dang: "X-Wing" has a hyphen. Someone play an "A"!
Some days even wastewater treatment ponds look good. Hello, geese!
Silver Creek running (!) at the bike trail bridge, a mile east of Madison.
Postcard: Hansens' Farm, southwest from bike trail bridge.
Welcome to Madison: Beer! Liquor! Wine! (oh yeah, and a university...)
Downtown Madison—quiet holiday morning at the famous Four Corners.
Even with those trees making good progress on Main Street, I love how much sky you can still see in town. Helps you keep your bearings.
Howard? Yankton? Maybe next ride.
Amert Construction is making good progress on East River's Wiedenman Plaza west of town. ;-)
Lots of campers at Prairie Village, with great seats for tonight's fireworks at the Ikes' on Lake Herman!
233rd Street, west between the Ikes' and the golf course.
I'm sure this bolt on the bridge by the golf course isn't anything important. Nothing to worry about....
"Golf Course Creek," north from the bridge
View of Lake Herman to the south from the golf course bridge
My favorite road: the road home, old County 41, now 451st Avenue
Speaking of Amert Construction, I met mental powerhouse and proud MHS alum Tony Amert on the road! He's home from Mines, spending the holiday at his dad's new place on Pelican Point (another great view of tonight's fireworks). He took his own lake tour, taking a lap around Lake Herman. Pedal hard, Tony!A bicycle ride from Lake Herman to Lake Madison and back, no gas used—no finer way to see the country we love. Enjoy the 4th and the long weekend, everybody!
*A faithful reader fixes my mixed up geography. Johnson's Point is on the north shore; Walker's Point is on the south. It'll be a few years before the bike trail reaches that far... although that would be an awesome addition!
Cory, what model of digital camera do you have? I'm in the market.
ReplyDeleteA little Fujifilm camera—got it as a special from Dell when we purchased a laptop four years ago. Great for outdoor pictures, wimpy for indoor/lowlight stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou circled the wrong thing on the sign. I thought teachers always circled the mistakes, which would be "no wreckless riding".
ReplyDeleteDRK
Just a question - where does the bike trail start in Madison?
ReplyDeleteNonnie
on thursday you missed a picture of a lifetime just in front of your house. I went to put my boat in using the ramp next your house and as the boat was sliding off of the trailer into the water my guide rope came untied and my boat began to drift out into the lake. So, my only option was to quickly empty my pockets onto the dock and go swimming out after my boat. So the sight was of a man swimming out into lake herman after a boat. I found out there is a large drop off right at the end of the boat ramp. So, I was completely submerged at one point. Lucky not much wind and a full recovery off the boat. I have to say the water was an absolutely perfect temperature for an impromptu swim.
ReplyDeleteP.S. all knots retied and perfect launch of the boat on Friday and Sunday into Lake Herman.
economically clueless
DR: "wreckless riding"—that's hilarious! Good catch! :-D
ReplyDeleteNonnie: the bike trail starts on South Egan Ave, near Flynn Field. It runs out to Walker's Point on Lake Madison.
And Econ.Clue.: Check those knots! I'm glad you had some good days on (and in!) the water.
On Saturday I road out to walker's point and took the new bike path. It's quite nice, though I could see it getting slick with a bit of rain and dust. Out west we have just put down crushed red rock which acts as a natural drainage field so you can still ride even in rain etc. (also acts as nice padding for those of us riding a little too dangerously)
ReplyDeleteTony must be speaking of the Mickelson trail bike path. We have ridden it a few times the 18 miles or so from north of Rochford to Mystic. Beautiful scenery! And best of all, its all basically downhill, which is great for those of us not in perfect physical shape. I highly recommend it. Can rent bikes at Rochford, and they even take you to the starting point and pick you up at Mystic or before if you want. Wonderful way to spend an afternoon!
ReplyDeleteNonnie