Day 4: Monday, September 18: Omaha to Malvern, NE, (Wabash Trace Nature Trail), 33.5 miles [100]

               to Malvern Depot 305 W. 5TH   

Our early morning departure (7:45)  and the crossing of the Missouri River back into Iowa provided us with beautiful views with the recently-risen sun as the backdrop. Council Bluffs, Iowa has, like Omaha,  created a beautiful, landscaped, walkable riverfront.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just past Harrah's casino, we encountered an early surprise--a 1 mile detour. Unable to go under I-29, we follow a detour; it even took us onto I-29's very wide shoulder for 1/2 mile. We then followed the 8 mile route to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail easily-but-not-pleasantly (truck route).

Our next 22 miles were a pleasant, shady ride on the crushed limestone (paved with concrete near some towns) Wabash Trace Nature Trail. It is  a convertion of a railroad right-of-way. Completed in 1997, it runs 63 miles over 72 bridges through scenic southwest Iowa countryside. Special details for us were "adopted" bridges, dedicated benches, the crunch of fallen leaves and black walnuts on the trail, as well as a large 'picnic' area ,"Margaritaville." The tradition of local riders, spring through fall, is a Thursday Night "Taco Ride "from Omaha/Council Bluffs, to Mineola for dinner and back. They often gather in "Margaritaville" for a refreshment break.

After  Mineola (population 220) , we arrived in Silver City (population 245). Riding slowly around the village, we were invited to a cup of coffee and conversation with Rich in Rich's Man Cave, a former gas station packed to the brim with all his collections. He has lived in Silver City for 63 years, served on village council for 35 years, was fire chief for a while. He is a dedicated Shriner and is the proud owner of blue Corvette convertible for Shriner parades and more.

We arrived in Malvern (population 1,046) about 12:45--in time for lunch at the Classic Cafe before they closed at 2. We ate good chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and left with the pulled-pork and salad we enjoyed for our dinner. (No restaurants are open here on Monday and Tuesday nights.) We are staying at the old Malvern depot which was converted to a cozy, delightful Air BnB  right on the trail. Apparently it was built to be the depot, never served as such, got preserved by volunteers, and was finally put to use as a fun AirBnB.