Riding the Rail

We met some wonderful new neighbors who live across the next farm from us. They have a pond for fishing and goats for petting and feeding. They have missed driving their 4-wheelers on the railroad bed that we own. We made a great deal…Jeff can use their backhoe and they can use our trail. We own about 1.5 miles of old railway adjacent to our 62 acres. We have been told the railroad was shut down in the 70's. The iron has all been removed and almost all of the railroad ties are gone, but the rock base remains in most areas. It is a wonderful place for walking and riding the golf cart. We've named different sections of the trail, such as Flats, Valley and Ridge. I couldn't get a good photo, but part of the Valley is the Valley of the Vines. It's filled with grape vines and spooky at night.

The Flats.
The Valley.

Jeff used the backhoe and cleared over half of the track. We’ve walked it all in the winter, but it gets terribly overgrown with warm weather. Unfortunately, we grow AMAZING poison ivy! I’ve researched that 90% of the population are allergic to poison ivy. We are very blessed, that only Ollie and I seem to be susceptible out of the oldest 5 of our family.

Poison Ivy.

There is a creek that runs through the rail trail. We have some fun ideas about how to bridge that, but no immediate plans.

When we ride the golf cart through the trail the Australian Shepherd pups usually go with us. They are SO cute. Rosie is usually in the lead and Ellie herds us from the side or rear. The other day, Jeff’s rogue female bird dog, Lew, escaped from her pen. The little dogs herded her along the path and back to the pen. We hope they will herd AnnaMaria back to the house when she is older too (smile).

Pups overlooking the ridge trail.
The puppies have had it rough lately. At the vet last week, Ellie was 27 lbs and Rosie was 35! The vet felt Ellie was a bit overweight, so I guess Rosie is obese. They have been on a diet and not liking it so much! I feel for them; they are really sweet puppies. We are so glad we have two of them so they can entertain each other. AnnaMaria just loves them! She has started whining at the door to go outside; a girl after my own heart! All good things happen outdoors.

More to come. We have at least another 1/2 mile to clear.