Last Friday afternoon, our son Sam wanted to take a spin out east of Springfield while Evie and Max took their afternoon naps. I asked him about how far he was thinking and he replied twenty or twenty-five miles. So we headed out toward FR 112 [Old Wire Road] and went by Danforth Cemetery and on south to Sunshine and on in via Catalpa. The wind was strong out of the south and Sam pushed it as much as he reasonably could. Twice he dragged me along by letting me draft off of him after we had turned south. Much Appreciated, Sam!!
A short break at Danforth Cemetery
Sam’s short hair had given him trouble when he sweat, which was the whole time. Colorado Springs may have Pike’s Peak, but we have humidity!!
A scissor-tailed flycatcher (Sunshine Road in the background)
Birds are some of our favorite animals. Jan’s second cousin in Oklahoma used to be a member of the Audubon Society and could identify birds by their song or their flight. Her interest in birds has rubbed off on Jan and me.
A meadowlark, but I don't know if it is an eastern or western meadowlark.
This herd of horses was in a field at the intersection of FR199 and Sunshine Road, just standing there, watching the world go by.
As Sam and I got to the RR crossing on Catalpa we heard a train approaching. A few years back, this crossing was made ‘silent’; the trains do not sound their horns as they come to it out of deference to the neighborhood.
A 'silent' train
Our last ride of the week was Saturday morning. Jan and I went out to Sam’s in-law’s and we went for a short spin out to Strafford, around the area and back. It was a good way to finish up our riding week.
On the way back.
I forget what day it happened, but one day Sam and I went to Hammond’s Field so that he could get some tickets for that night’s ballgame. As we were going down Cherry, we met a scooter with a rider drafting behind. The rider had a Jelly Belly kit on. Was Brad Huff in town?? Regretfully, I did not get a pic, nor did we stop them to find out the true identity of the rider.
Buying tickets to see the Springfield Cardinals win
Sam and family left late Saturday and arrived home in Colorado Sunday night. We had a good time together and plan on going out to see them soon. We may take our hybrids and do some trails. Fun
Stay happy,
Two Feet Off the Asphalt 
My wife and I are bird watchers also. Do you regularly see scissor tail flycatchers? I’ve seen them in Texas once, and that’s the only time. I’ve never seen a western Meadowlark, but thought I heard one once in Illinois.
Anyway, looks like you had anorther enjoyable ride. Family rides are the best!
Yes, the flycatcher is Oklahoma’s state bird and we do see them up here quite often, usually in pairs. I love to watch them fly with their dipping and soaring. Jan’s cousin told me that most likely the meadowlark was an eastern one. Happy riding!!