Missouri Pictures

Ozarks

A River Runs Through It 

Ozark View

Rolling,  Rolling,  Rolling

Very Wet

Sad Flowers, Too Much Rain

Horse and Buggy

Black and White

Day 21 Paula

At my evening stop at the RV park in Marshfield, I spoke with Paula. She said I could camp on the grass. There was laundry and a shower so I was happy about that. I asked if I could pitch a tent under the patio cover in case it rains. She said yes. She told me not to pitch the tent yet. In a bit she surprised me and showed me a room in the building.  She said sleep here. It was quiet and inside.  She later brought me laundry soap from home. She was very kind.

Day 21 Cousin Reunion

Day 21 was very wet until noon. It didn't bother me. The day was a easy ride and I had made arrangements to meet my cousins Jackie and Judy, and their husbands in Marshfield. I had never met them. They showed me a family history book they made. It had pictures of my Father, their Mother, the 13 siblings, and my grandparents. I only met a few of them. I was amazed by how attractive they all were. My cousins commented on how blue some of their eyes were. They told me stories.  It really made my day. At the end of the visit, I stated "I better find a place to stay." My cousins said there is a RV park, so that is where I stayed.

Day 20

It was another rainy day. Brian noted I was wearing a yellow rain vest. He asked if he could wear the "angel" orange vest because all he had was dark colors. He would give it back in the evening in Houston. I gave it to him but never saw him again.

Went through the Ozarks. They were very hilly but not as bad as the Appalachians. Stayed at a city park under a cover. No shower, but I kept dry.

Day 19 Angel

Today I heard a vehicle pull up beside me. I was on the narrow shoulders of State Route 21. I looked over and a young woman driving a forest service truck said "do you have a vest?" I was wearing a white top with some fluorescent yellow. I asked her "am I hard to see?" "Yes" she said as she waved me over. She said she was worried about my safety and gave me a orange reflective vest. We chatted,  I put it on and I felt safer.

Day 19 Summary

I stayed the night at a Hostel in Ellington,  MO. It rained a bunch today so a shower, being indoors, and a cot is great. Not any pictures, it looks like Chinook or White Pass in Washington State. Staying with Brian. He is going back to school to get his PHD. He is an advisor to big money investors on Wall Street. Ozarks aren't that bad yet.

Day 18 Pictures

Narrow Bridge To Missouri

The Mississippi River

Welcome Missouri

The Jail Hostel

The Jail Hostel

The Jail Hostel

The Jail Hostel

The Jail Hostel

Day 17 Summary

I decided to skip the hills and dogs today. I went off course to a highway with a wide shoulder and traveled well over a hundred miles. Sometimes the maps take the scenic route but it can wear on the legs with up and down hills. I crossed the Ohio River into Illinois.

For some reason I have rashes on the front of my legs.  I think it may be from the heat or my shorts rubbing.

I continued on to Murphysboro Lake Illinois to a campground.  It was my last option of the day. Off my route. No water.  I camped by the water.  I have never heard so many creatures at night and so loud.  There must have been 50 different sounds. It made me laugh.

I tied my food up in a tree, however the animals out smarted me. I was awakened to sounds outside my tent. I was a little chicken to open the zipper on my tent.  When I did, I spotted with my flashlight an  animal chewing on my bag of food dangling from the tree. I retrieved the bag and it had holes from the chew bites. I had to make a clothesline and hang the food from the middle of it.

In summary, the landscape was beautiful.  Sprouting corn and wheat fields.

Day 18 Summary

Yesterday was long and the night was long so I woke up tired. I had plans to make it to Farmington Missouri. I made a couple of mistakes so the day was longer and farther than expected. Over 90 miles. Missouri is getting hilly and the weather in the afternoon was heavy thunderstorms.  I don't even wear a rain jacket any more. I just get wet.

I arrived in Farmington and came across a Hostel sponsored by the city Parks and Recreation called Al's Place.  I was skeptical when I looked in the window and spotted two bikes in a cell like room.  I went inside and it was fabulous. The second floor was like a bachelor's pad. I met two people inside.

A younger man from Perth, Australia and a man from Manhattan, New York. We went to eat at a Italian restaurant.  I was very hungry. Both the Australian and I each had extra large pizza's.  I ate all of mine except two pieces.  I wasn't full, I just thought I can't eat all of this.  The Australian had his wallet stolen out of his bike handlebar bag while away from his bike for a short time. It has been a real hassle for him. He said the kindness from Americans is very appreciated. He was given a 100, 20, and 10 dollars. I took that lesson to be very careful.

I noticed many wine vineyards in Missouri.  I was told that the coal, and brick factories have gone away and people are seeking other ways of making a living.

I will enjoy a bed and a shower.

Day 18 The Great Debate

The great debate "Which is worse, the Ozarks or the Appalachians?"  I have to say the Appalachian Mountains were pretty tough.  The route I am following goes on country roads.  I heard from people traveling West to East, that the Ozarks are very tough, but they haven't hit the Appalachians.  Some bypass the Ozarks because of the perceived difficulty and choose to go North and follow The Katy Trail through Missouri.  It is the longest Railroad to Trail conversion therefore it has no steep hills. I will probably hit the Ozarks straight on.

Day 17 Pics

Crossing The Ohio

Welcome Illinois, Land Of My Dad

Corn Fields

Fields Of Grain

Good Night

I Love These Clouds

Day 16 Genuine Kindness

I finished my 16th day at Sebree Kentucky. I came to this Baptist Church and was looking around the outside and in the windows.  A man named Bob rode up on his bike, greeted me and asked if I ate. He was the retired Pastor of 35 years from that Baptist Church.  I came to his house across the street where a gathering of people had just finished eating. Bob's wife Violet put a place for me at the head of the table. They were very kind people. All locally retired. Instead of talking about me I asked about them. They each took turns telling me what their life was. Later Bob took me to the Church. It was wonderful.  Showers, laundry, kitchen, comfort. Very Nice of them, I am very grateful.

Day 16 Memorial Day

Day 15 Summary

I left Willem after around 40 miles today. I enjoyed him. He didn't need to go the distance that I need to because he was meeting his son in Colorado.  Now I am by myself. It was a long day because I couldn't find a campsite due to it was Memorial Day Weekend. A man from the Core Of Engineering (COE) called around and asked me if I had eight more miles left in me. I said, "Yes!"  He made arrangements with a (COE) camp down the road. It was very nice.

Day 15 Ferry Ride

Ferry Ride Through Chocolate

I was riding down a rode in the country and came to this old fashion river crossing. Cables kept the ferry centered. I was curious what they do when the river gets low, I guess drive across.

Barns Are Interesting

Barn On A Hill

I found this barn interesting. All the green growing on it surrounded by old fields.

What Are These Designs On Barns

Quilt Patch Design

I noticed for days these beautiful designs on barns. They are symmetrical, sometimes looking like a kaleidoscope effect, so I asked. They are quilt designs. I was told they can represent a family quilt that has been handed down or just a fashion design. There are some very beautiful designs. They are usually painted on a square wood panel.

Day 14 Mammoth Caves

Section Of Cave Trail Warning That It Is Narrow

Cave Entrance

Cave Network

Spent the day at Mammoth Caves National Park. Rained heavy again last night. Over 400 miles of caves. Largest in the world. Tomorrow I ride again.

Day 13 Kentucky Roads, Catholic Churches

The roads are still hilly but the scenery is changing. Today was different. I spotted many Catholic Churches including this one on a hill. Many yards had Mary statues.

Day 13 Zombie Attack Sanctuary

I saw these strange buildings. They were all the same, black in color, same dimensions, Must have been 10 of them surrounded by a fence. I told Willem they were Zombie Attack Sanctuaries. Later I learned they are for Bourbon Whiskey Barrel storage.

Day 13 Turtle Crossing

I traveled with Willem "Villem" from Holland again today. We went 90 plus miles to get to Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. This cost me another day because it is a seventy mile loop off the route. I explained we have to get there Friday and it was a three day Holiday weekend so the park might sell out. We got the last non-RV camping spot. Along the way we spotted many dead turtles on the road that didn't have the speed to cross before getting hit. We saw this big turtle crossing and waved away the traffic as Willem picked him up and helped him cross.

Day 12

I had a great day. Back up to riding longer. I keep seeing a nice man from Netherlands (Holland). His name is Willem. We rode in some terrible stormy weather today and are camping under a pavilion at a outdoor sports complex. The weather was full of lightning and thunder so we asked a man if we could sit with him on his porch to wait out of the storm. We chatted for a while.

There Is A Storm Brewing

Rolling Hills Of Kentucky

Day 11 Summary

Nice weather today. It is suppose to rain tonight. I rode with a few others for part of the day. We concluded the best way to handle the dogs was get off the bike and walk, placing the bike between you and the dog. Six of us are camping behind Fire Station #2 in Berea, Kentucky. It was another shorter ride day because of finding a sleeping point.

Day 11 Berea College Art Display

This Artist was at the local College.  I met a man on the road, he invited me to the showing and where I met the artist. He showed me his work. His paintings are of people in this area. They looked life like and captured the people in the Appalachians.

Day 11 Berea Coal Display

Day 11 Berea Kentucky

Day 11 Big Hill Kentucky

Day 11 Horses

Day 11 Ten Commandments

A Reminder To Do Good Wherever You May Be