Katy Trail Pictures

Katy Trip Day 2 (51 miles)

     I almost slept until the sun was up.  Our stay at Steamboat Junction was nice.  We had our morning coffee and oatmeal, cleaned the dishes, and got ready to go.  I cleaned and lubed the chains.  Checked air pressure in tires and we were off.
    In Tebbetts, we were invited to eat at the Community Center.  A group of  older ladies get together once a month to quilt there.  They prepared a potluck for the grain workers and they invited us to eat.  It was an awesome gesture of kindness.  The food was so good.  We also checked out the Turner Katy Trail Shelter Hostel.  For five bucks, you get to sleep inside.  Good place to stop for the night, just to early in the day to stop.  Maybe next time.
     Passing through Mokane, we stopped at a little market for snacks and Gatorade.  The woman working the counter was from Drasco, just right down the road from our home.  Small world.  We arrived at Jefferson City trailhead around three o'clock.  I helped two riders get onto the bridge going across the Missouri River.  It was an extra six miles of riding for me, but I wanted to take pictures of the river anyways.  Meanwhile, Anthony was chatting it up with several riders coming through the trailhead.  He heard of some places to eat and stay down the trail.
    Our stopping point for the night was Hartsburg.  The owner of the  Globe Hotel, Janette, let us camped in her backyard.  She even let us use the shower.  Thank you Janette!  We ate at the Hartsburg Grand Restaurant.  OMG!  The food was freaking good! 
    The next morning we had breakfast at Dotty's Café, the place Anthony was told about at Jefferson.
You have to eat here if you are in town for breakfast.  Hartsburg was an big surprise from a small town.  Great place to stop for the night.  Bring you appetite!


Standing Rock, I'm pointing to the 1944 flood mark(highest mark).
I was told the 1993 flood covered the rock.

We must of crossed at least five more bridges today.

Lunch at Community Center.

Quilters that invited us to lunch.

Wait for me!

From the bridge going into Jefferson City.
State capitol in background.

Breakfast at Dotty's Café.

Grand Restaurant

Globe Hotel Bed and Breakfast.
Great service, friendly.

Katy Trip day one (64 miles)

     We had left home as soon as I got off from work.  The drive up to Weldon Springs took about six hours.  By the time we got checked in and everything in the room, it was late.  The good thing about the Wingate, it's close to the Katy Trail and has a really good breakfast.
     We got started around eight the next morning.  There is a connector trail just around the corner, the Missouri Research Park connector trail.  It joins the Katy at mile 52.4.   Anthony was so excited about getting started, he actually got up before me. 
     It was a nice day for riding.  We took our time and did a lot of stopping.  Our goal was to just ride until we felt like stopping for the night, no set stopping points.  Only negative was the dust. It wasn't that bad, just got the bikes really filthy. 
     We ate at Trailside Café in Rhineland.  Burger and fries for me and burger and German potato salad for Anthony.  After eating we rode on to Steamboat Junction in Bluffton.  We camped there for the night.  An enjoyable first day. 

Loaded and ready to go.
Last time the bikes are clean.

First trailhead of the trip.

Just one of the many bluffs along the trail.

I just love the old train bridges.
Seems each one is different.

Katy trip

     We leave for the Katy trip tomorrow.  Before we go, I have to work all day!  I was short a half day of vacation to take off all week.  Anthony has appointment anyway, so we can't leave til I get off work.
     Our plan is to drive to Weldon Springs Tuesday night.  Stay in a hotel, and get a early start Wednesday morning.  We plan on going as far as the tunnel just west of Roche Port. We are hoping to finish in four days.  Should be a nice ride.  The last time we rode the Katy, it was flooded.  So most of this trip will be new trail to me.
     I will try to take plenty of pictures, and blog when I can.
 

Shiloh S24O

     Let me start by apologizing for not keeping up with our blog.  Anthony and I have done several trips that I didn't write about.  Hopefully this will change in the future.  This weekend's trip was to Shiloh Park on Greers Ferry Lake.  It was a S24O (sub 24 hour) trip, on kayaks instead of the bikes.  It was a nice change of pace and different workout.  My arms are so sore! 
     We got loaded up Friday night so we could get out on the water by sunrise.  I was wanting to watch the sunrise on the water.  Our put in location was Cove Creek, only about six miles from the house, keeping our car use to as little as possible.  Anthony did go the day before to check out paying in advance and making sure they would know our car would be left there overnight.  He didn't charge us for launching the kayaks, this isn't uncommon.  Most places don't charge for non-motorized craft.
     Watching the sun come up was amazing!  With the little bit of clouds, the sun was a deeper orange.  Paddling was a little hard heading out.  The wind was in our face the whole way.  It wasn't real bad, but we haven't been paddling much so we are a little weaker than last year.  The total miles was six and half miles.  We were able to stay close to shore almost the whole way until the last mile and a half.  We had to cross the lake to get to Shiloh Park.  When we arrived, we were so tired!  The constant paddling and fighting the wind took it's toll.  It was well worth the effort though.
     We grabbed the first campsite on the water.  It was right on the point, with a full view of the lake.
Camp is getting easier setting up.  We got our routine down.  Anthony and I work so good together, we just click.
     Only new gear this weekend was the Helinox camp chair.  It was a little less than two pounds, folds up small enough to fit in a bicycle pannier, and is so comfortable.  The legs feet will sink some if your sitting in soft ground.  I sat by the lake in soft sandy ground with no trouble.  I was completely satisfied with the chair. No back pain from sitting on the picnic table!
    Our neighbors were really nice.  Norman was a character, just your typical southern guy. Cassie and .... can't remember but I think Anna. Sorry. We all sat in Norman's camp after sunset and chatted while sipping Seagram's VO.  It was a really nice time.
    We got up early the next morning.  Made a pot of coffee and watched the sun come up.  It was nice and cool.  We then got the tent and sleeping gear packed.  We have found eating after packing let us put off lunch.  I actually cooked!  We had  our typical oatmeal.  On the kayaks we were able to bring a cooler, so we had eggs.
     The trip back was much easier. The wind was in our favor this time.  Took us about two and half hours to get back.  An hour faster than the day before.  In all, it was a very fun and relaxing trip.  Boat traffic was light, weather unseasonably cool for August, and as always Anthony was the best.

Loaded and ready to put in the water.

Anthony, with the sun starting to peak.

Photo doesn't do justice.

Taking a break.

Red-headed woodpecker.

Helinox camp chair.

Nashville Greenways and trails and Delta Heritage Trail State Park

Nashville Greenways .......more to come.....Delta Heritage Trail State Park

Katy Trail and More.....

We started the Katy Tail June 3.....More to follow....