7am start from Jeff City and 4pm arrival at the Concorde Hill B&B in Peers, MO.
Today we get to ride down the ramp structure that takes us from the highway bridge elevation for crossing the Missiouri back down to the river bottoms on the north side of the river where we'll spend the rest of the day.
I call this picture "Running with the Bulls." This black cow was happily chewing the greenery along side of the Katy until we disturbed his peace and he started rambling down the trail just ahead of us, looking for the way back into his pasture. We're used to cottontails and squirrels doing this all day long but this was our first bovine experience.
On of the many historic markers and points of interest along the trail, The Mystery of Standing Rock is two fold. First, it exists not as a fallen boulder from the dolomite cliffs above but as a fine sandstone remnant left after the bluffs were eroded by river water over the eons. The Missouri River banks are about 1.5 miles to the south but there are seven flood stage markings that have been etched into the stone beginning in 1903 and ending with the last big flood of 1993. It's not known who has made the markings since 1903 but they have been certified through surveys as accurate. The straight and flat grade of the Kansas Missouri Texas line made it a good rail line but in the end, the many floods of the river, and costs to rebuild and repair it caused its demise in 1986. On the bright side, it gave us this wonderful state park and trail to travel by bike on!
Bill Severson, Bill Amos and John Garrett find more casual use for the rock in this picture.
Besides bunnies, squirrels and cows to dodge on the trail, we also have seen many turtles along the way. This one was too shy to pose for a picture. After a few hours of riding the threat of rain, at least for now, had disappeared but the morning was still cool enough to be very comfortable. Angela stands on one of the many Missouri River tributary crossings we encounter frequently.
At the McKittrick trail head we regroup for a short break. Painted on the old grain structure behind the depot is one of the handful of very handsome murals that have been painted to celebrate the Katy Land Trust.
Riding on the Katy Trail we also find many snakes, most often stretched out across the trail looking for warmth. The challenge is to be able to distinguish them from the many, many sticks and branches laying on the trail and not run over them. We mostly have seen these black snakes so far, almost always posed like this. However, several days ago Bill Severson, Bill Amos and Steve Richards, on their way out to meet us in Sedalia, passed a coiled snake in the middle of the trail. Severson passed it first followed by Steve and Amos riding on either side of it. As they passed the rather big snake it was seen to strike at the bikes passing by. It turned out to be a Copperhead snake!
We arrived at the Concord Hill B&B bit by bit, but all in time to beat the thunderstorms that started around 6pm and threatened throughout the night. We all gathered down in the basement wine cellar for snacks, wine and moonshine graciously brought in by Dan's wife, Connie. Connie snapped this picture of our rag-tag group on our last night all together. Tomorrow we will finish our ride on the Katy Trail in St. Charles, MO, about 40 miles away and begin to part ways until our next adventure together.
It's been a great ride, with great longtime friends. In December of 1990 when Bill Amos first hired me into GE I could never have imagined that it would lead to such strong friendships forged through work and play. It's just one more reason that I count myself as a very fortunate man.
Another great update. I really enjoyed these pictures and the commentary.
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