Katy Who?

Portland – Eldon, MO, via Jefferson City

Some days help define who you are – as a person and as a biker. Well, maybe more as a biker, but it sounds more dramatic the other way . . . And, after all, Diana and I are mostly bikers these days – so what’s the difference? Who we are as bikers is pretty much who we are as people anyway.

So how did the day define who we are as bikers? Well, we had two distinct pieces to the day. The first half on the Katy Trail to Jefferson City, the second half on rolling countryside outside of Jefferson City.

And guess which we liked better? Did we like the flat, car-less, crushed limestone, dusty, and largely-without-amenities Katy Trail? Or the more trafficky, much more hilly, mostly asphalt, pleasant views and quaint little towns roads leading to the Ozarks? 

The jury did not take long to decide. 

The Katy Trail has its virtues. It’s nice to meet people along the trail and have some interpretative signage relating to the Lewis & Clarke Expedition. But can you say BORING?

Second half of the day – after we left Jefferson City – was much better. Kind of the pre-Ozarks. Lots of ups and downs. Super pretty. Surprisingly, had more amenities. Just a lot more interesting and fun. And that despite the wicked heat; Diana reported that it was 94!

Here are some examples on the amenity front:

• Katy Trail. We went through, I think, three towns today on the Katy Trail. Sum total of amenities: a pop machine (soda machine for you non-Minnesotans – don’t even get me started on Duck, Duck, Goose . . .). I was forced to eat the leftover brat from last night’s dinner just to survive the morning . . . No coffee. No tea. Just a burnt sausage and a dry bun. 
• Random Roads south of Jefferson City. Gas station in the middle of nowhere had great air conditioning, a whole variety of conveniences, and a few tables we used to get out of the heat, eat and drink, and even have a short call with our daughters. 

Now, I’m not being completely fair. Because the Katy Trail did have Standing Rock – a big stone that is standing by the trail and is, I guess, difficult for geologists (or whoever studies this type of thing) to explain. And it is supposed to have markings showing the height of various floods over the last few hundred years – but, sadly, I couldn’t find them. 

(I need to take a second to direct Subscriber Bill M’s attention to Standing Rock and the pictures that we included here. Bill M has been asking that we go out of our way to find interesting things like the biggest ball of yarn in the world – and then take a picture for the viewing/reading pleasure of our loyal followers. My sense is that Standing Rock certainly qualifies. I guess we want the kudos that we think we deserve.)

A little more on the Katy Trail . . . It is, actually a great resource and it definitely attracts people from across the country – just not the type of riding that we are looking for. We saw another big group from California this morning. All of these people have resources and, I would imagine, are probably eager for the opportunity to buy things like mocha cappuccinos with oat milk for $7.95. But at a minimum, having water available in these towns would seem like a good idea.

I guess we’re just used to the way things are done in Minnesota. Rail trails like this are generally paved. There are more public resources going into things like water spigots along the trails. And there is more of a growth/opportunity type attitude toward development. That is, make the investment in that cappuccino machine and it might pay off because there are a lot of people coming through who might be willing to pay more than $2.50 for a Bud Light (not that there is anything wrong with Bud Light – I just ordered and drank my first ever the other day – refreshing!) Or maybe spritz up your super rudimentary campground just a tiny bit and then charge more than $15 for a site. 

Again, good trail. Good resource. Maybe that’s one of the points of travel. You enjoy the road, but you see how good you have it at home.

Okay, enough philosophy for the day. Other things . . .

Obligatory picture of the Missouri State Capital is below. Interesting note on that . . . I guess I”m not the only one asking why Jefferson City is the capital of the Show Me State. Sounds like there have been a few attempts to move it – always fought off by the Jeffersonians and their minions . . .

Why is it the Show Me State anyway? Show Me what?

Weather. On the good side, it sounds like the heat wave is over. On the not so good side, it looks like the next three days are likely to be rainy. We really haven’t had rain since the Dark Cloud Day when we began our journey. 

It’s all fun and games until we’re cold and wet . . .

Send good thoughts – and maybe some rain gear . . .