Fuel Ex 9.8. Sunny, Cool - high 30's into the low 40's, North/NNW winds 10-11 mph. First time at Shoe Factory this year, last time was over 3 months ago, right before New Years. Pretty good conditions for the most part with some wet spots in the shadows. Didn't do the full route - hit every part at least once but skipped the 2nd loop on the lower 40. There is a stark beauty this time of year - Everything is just fixin' to bust loose. Buds are swelled, grass is starting to green up and the ground is mostly drying up. A few types of trees are starting to leaf out, mostly the willows and there's the occasional daffodil or crocus in bloom: After all, Shoe Factory is an old farmstead, so some of these bulbs were probably planted over a hundred years ago. Everything will be completely different in 2-3 weeks. Very few people out today, only saw one other cyclist and he was on the paved trail. And only a half dozen or so hikers, two with dogs. But I did surprise 2 young deer in the lower 40. After they skeedaddled, surprised 3 more a minute later. It's always a thrill seeing deer - they are such beautiful creatures. Quite a day for wildlife, Kris and I had a Coyote in the back yard today for 5 minutes or so, a rare sight in the light of day.