Dateline: Jefferson City, MO
Last night pulled into Berryman XG just @ dark, had place to myself. Frogs were at it again. Rained during night.
Drove east to Festus, MO, home of 2 bike shops, hunting brake pads. Struck out with them as well as Big Shark and every other store in ST Louis. Most were willing to order them but arrival would have been like Friday. Plan B was to find a shop I would be going to. I found Epic in Kansas City, MO and I was told the pads would arrive on Wed. Cool. Ordered a pair. They also have a Wed eve ride that I will hit.
GPS mapped a road down to shore of Mississippi: Hugs Landing. I was hoping it would have been a real old time landing. I drove down road that dead ended into a private boat club. I parked along side the rr tracks outside the entrance & took several pictures. A car driven by an older man passed & then backed up and rolled the window down and invited me onto property to take pictures as he is a member. I took him up on it. I parked near him & engaged in conversation regarding river life. He told of river history. Club house is on jersey barrier build ups. River height in feet incfrements are painted on them. 41 feetis last measure which is below club house. River reaches 31 feet to climb onto club property.
An suv pulled up driven by an older man. He waited until I started to walk away and he engaged me in conversation. He saw my van and he told me of 2 adventurers that were kayaking down the river and they stopped @ the club and this man was there. He helped them out and was enthralled w/ their adventure. He encouraged me to write a book about my trip because people like him can’t adventure but are rewarded by reading about others who do. He read Blue Highways & Walk Across America, Lewis & Clark journals. I doubt my having something to say in a book but he said write it. To you, sir, I looked @ both Kevin Knieling and roadwarriornews.com websites. They are way above my adventure.
I coined a phrase for my riding: Lifestyle riding, i ride what I can and walk what I need to.
I called Gracie & learned she rode 3 laps of Oak Mtn: 52 miles. GREAT for her. She’s training for the Leadville 100 mtn bike race. Will Lance make it this year after his collar bone break?
I’m driving to Columbia, MO for a ride tomorrow, heading West. I drive thru Pacific which is right on Lewis & Clark’s route; which came first: the town name or did they give it as they went thru? They started from St Louis right? Took road that didn’t take me where I wanted to go. I pulled over and a white van pulled in behind me and the driver got out. He was in 60s. He asked if I was lost because of my WA plates. He said he lived in Kingston for 5 years & is still trying to sell the house. We chatted about WA and the light rain that was falling.
I was seeking the legendary route 66 that the new interstate I-44 parallels. I found it & drove a few miles on it which is now almost a frontage road w/ no businesses. “Get your kicks on route 66” lyrics are from what song?
My drive followed the Katy trail, a 120 mile rails to trails pathway which is also part of the L & C route, rt 94 on N side of Missouri River. Twisty some up & down roadway. Hardly any traffic. I stopped in Portland, MO at a TH for a quick store bought salad dinner. Right on river shoreline.
Crossed Missouri & continued to Jefferson City, capital. I found a parking space behind a bank bldg many blocks from capital bldg.
Rained today so the driving made good use of the day. Making good tracks heading west, too good, I will have to slow down in Kansas in cold. Spring isn’t here yet: trees have hardly flowered and it is in 40s.
Passed Daniel Boone’s grave in Marthasville. No stopping.
Been talking into digital recorder more. Should have had 1 from start to record thoughts that don’t make blog.
I just know that my solo traveling opens me up to all these conversations. William Least Heat Moon & Steinbeck did the same.Maybe each of us sought out converations for human companionship. My belief is when 2 or more people are together they are involved w/ each other, they are not as inclined to look outward. The conversations are between 2 strangers and can be whatever they can be. That’s why i travel alone.