Thursday;
Boonville to Sedalia,
After our dinner in downtown Boonville, we decided to walk back to the campground. It seemed a good excuse to find an ice cream shop. The one we wanted was, of course, closed, but we did find a Dairy Queen which was open. I also found this cool art-deco bicycle.
When we arrived back at camp, we found that the town of Boonville provided us with entertainment in the form of a baseball game!
The next morning, we were up and at 'em early, ate pancakes and sausage, and fresh fruit with the Pancake Man. Then hit the trail. A rather uneventful morning so far except for the everyday headwind. Headed for Pilot Grove we noticed a large group of bicyclists gathered around a bike with apparent tire problems. There was quite a few riders there, so I felt they didn't need us. Later, at the Pilot Grove rest stop, Kathy told me that the tire, or wheel problems were not fixable there, so the Park Ranger showed up, gave his bike to the lady with the problem and let her ride to the next stop, while he pushed her bike and called for our roving bike shop to meet them for a fix. How about that for taking care of riders, and dedication to duty. The Rangers were always with us, riding the trails, and watching over us all night long keeping us and our camp as well as our gear safe. What a great privilege to ride this route with such a great bunch of people in charge.
I met this Ranger coming at me across the bridge.
Pilot Grove rest stop and trailhead.
The country changes on this section of the trail as we move away from the river. The trail is actually quite hilly all the way now to Clinton, with long gentle up and downgrades. The countryside is also more farming country with corn and wheat and hay fields.
At the top of one of the long upgrades we usually had a cut through the limestone to mark it. Then we could boogie for the next few miles.
I noticed this little footpath leading up and away from the trail, so I got off the bike to see where it went.
And where it went was here ....... a unique little Eco-structure all it's own, looking like it would be more in place in the mountains than here in Missouri. People tell me that there are some words spelled out up here with rocks that can be seen after hiking up to the top of yonder limestone cliffs, but I never found out. They also said you can see the words from space ...... I never found that out either. I did, however find a very pretty area and didn't regret the hike at all.
I also found this pretty yucca in full bloom just to add to my good fortune.
Back on the trail, I was fortunate enough to capture a rider going by the only surviving signal light on the entire trail.
The top of another upgrade
Just before we got to Clifton City, there was an Amish family selling home-made cookies and lemonade alongside the trail. They wouldn't let me take their pictures, but they would let me buy their cookies, and they were very good. Downtown Clifton City could use a bit of renovation.
The old buildings and overgrown ditches did allow for some unique photos though.
And the top of yet another hill ......
Hilltops alternating with farmland, alternating with tree canopy.
A short but hilly and windy 37 mile day brought us to Sedalia and their wonderfully restored depot, bike shop, food vendors, and museum. A good place to kill an hour or so before heading for the park. It was still early, a bit before noon.
More Ranger presence walking through the camp checking on everyone. There is always a Ranger with this ride from the beginning to the end 24 hours a day. When you ride with the State Park Trail Ride, they think of everything, and take care of you like one big happy family. In fact by this time, all of us were thinking we were like one big happy family.
There is a live steamer and track around the park, and they brought it out for a ride around the park. Does this engineer look like he's having fun, or what?
We had lots of time to kill before dinner, which would be served "in house" tonight. I had plenty of time to ride downtown for a Guinness on tap, and ride back for a circuitous route through town to admire the many pretty old houses and fine downtown architecture. I covered a few miles, and thoroughly enjoyed a couple hour ride.
Dinner tonight was excellent! Bar-b-que brisket, roast turkey, baked potato, fruit, and a wonderful dessert. We shouldn't need to find ice cream tonight. After dinner, we had our riders meeting which ended with our group photo just before sundown.
As I said before, we were by now, one big happy family. This is Kathy and Becky, two of my friends from last year's ride, and even better friends after this ride. Such nice gals, both of them.
It wasn't long after this that darkness descended on us, and I turned in to prepare for our last day on the trail. Tomorrow will be another short 39 mile day.
No comments:
Post a Comment