We debated how to do the Trail: ride east; ride west; ride both directions; camp; bring Bessie. We opted to "leap frog" the trail -- move Bessie to a campground down the trail and ride sections near the campground. We are picking the most scenic sections to ride -- rolling Missouri farmland followed by stretches of the Missouri River and framed by the high river bluffs.
The weather is "warm" and "humid" but there is plenty of shade. The trail is hard packed gravel so one has to pedal all the time -- no easy coasting along! There are other riders in both directions but many times we are enveloped in the silence of the road. Small towns come into view and quickly pass.
The best things about the Trail so far: no traffic, great scenery, pleasant weather, no road kill.
The "not" best things about the Trail: just keep pedaling. And then pedal some more.
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| Crown Jewel of Missouri State Parks |
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| One of the classic trails in the US |
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| TYPICAL view -- dappled shade & flat |
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| Big old yellow tractor out in the field |
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| Bridges along the way |
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| Nature |
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| How about a Pullman Palace Sleeping Car! |
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| Stopping for lunch -- topped off with fresh baked blackberry cobbler & ice cream |
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| Farmlands |
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| Interesting Planter Box near the trail...that be a car. |
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| Tunnels to mix up the ride |
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| At Boonville the trail joins up with the Missouri River |
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| State Champion Bur Oak Tree |
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| Remnant from the days of rail |
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| Following in the path of Lewis & Clark. Many historical markers along the trail. |
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| The trail is sandwiched between the river & bluffs. |
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| Columbine |
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| Storage site from the construction of the railroad. |
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| River-Trail-Bluff. Just keep riding |
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| Interesting rock insert high above the trail. |
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| Views of older, brick buildings along the way |
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| Cut stone tunnel -- 243 feet long -- amazing arched brick ceiling |
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| Riding On |
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| Native American Pictographs. |
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| Onward... |
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