Thank you to everyone who has been following our journey here and supporting us along the way. There were times of triumph and days of despair, but throughout but throughout the love and support of our friends and family have been invaluable.
I hope you have enjoyed these stories, and check back again in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully I will have the pictures from the last week of the trip up, and all will be complete.
I suppose we got a bit ahead of ourselves when we named the blog, about 400 miles ahead of ourselves, but I'm sure you won't begrudge us a few shortcuts. Adam has continued on from Hartford and is headed for Virginia, you might find him in Kentucky if you wanted to go looking for him. He is carrying the torch now. He'll make it up for us.
And, remember...
Rubber Side Down
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Day 52 August, MO to Hartford, IL
2842.5 miles
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We have arrived weary but safe with two-thirds of the continental United States behind us.
We started the morning stretching on the bluffs of Klondike Park overlooking the Missouri River Valley. Looking west, whence we had come - across the endless plains, the terrible hills of Montana, the beautiful mountains, the high deserts, the rainforest. You could almost see the fog of Astoria in the distance.
The Katy between Augusta and St. Charles is particularly beautiful running through great arches of trees, alongside bluffs hidden by forest, and wetlands both vibrant and decaying. Our itinerary for the day would have had us riding 80 miles into Illinois bypassing most of the metro area by going North and then East. But, if 60 miles was pushing our new riding partner to his limits 80 miles might kill him. We began looking for alternative routes, something to cut down the mileage, but our maps were not help. All the bike accessible routes dead ended at the Missouri. It looked like we would have to ford the river. If only little Timmy didn't have diptheria.
But providence interceded in the form of the Green Bottom Road Trailhead. There was a bike path over the Missouri alongside the Page Avenue extension that would take us into Creve Coeur Park. But, how would we get through the city? How would we get into Illinois over the Mississippi? How would we get to Hartford?
In these times of trial one can only ask, what would Merriweather Lewis do? What would William Clark do? What would Seaman the dog do?
They would strike out into the unknown, that's what they would do. Maps schmaps, it's time to make our own route.
Off we went into the unknown, into the City of St. Louis.
We ended up making our way into University City, where we were able to catch a Metrolink train down to the river landing, and from the landing we rode the Riverfront Trail north to Chain of Rocks Bridge. The Riverfront Trail takes riders through the heart of St. Louis's post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland. Mountains of crushed automobiles dot the landscape along side hills of other discarded materials of unknown origin. In the river the remnants of piers long since lost to the water's insistent pull stand alongside half sunk barges. Eventually, this nightmare of modern life gives way to hills of dirt and trees, grass, parks.
The Chain of Rocks Bridge is a marvel all it's own stretching across the river, an endless spann of steel that takes one into the heart of the river to watch the muddy water flow and eddy.
Suddenly we were in Illinois. Suddenly we were in Hartford, and there was a great gathering of St. Ivanys with a veritable feast laid out before us.
We rejoiced!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We have arrived weary but safe with two-thirds of the continental United States behind us.
We started the morning stretching on the bluffs of Klondike Park overlooking the Missouri River Valley. Looking west, whence we had come - across the endless plains, the terrible hills of Montana, the beautiful mountains, the high deserts, the rainforest. You could almost see the fog of Astoria in the distance.
The Katy between Augusta and St. Charles is particularly beautiful running through great arches of trees, alongside bluffs hidden by forest, and wetlands both vibrant and decaying. Our itinerary for the day would have had us riding 80 miles into Illinois bypassing most of the metro area by going North and then East. But, if 60 miles was pushing our new riding partner to his limits 80 miles might kill him. We began looking for alternative routes, something to cut down the mileage, but our maps were not help. All the bike accessible routes dead ended at the Missouri. It looked like we would have to ford the river. If only little Timmy didn't have diptheria.
But providence interceded in the form of the Green Bottom Road Trailhead. There was a bike path over the Missouri alongside the Page Avenue extension that would take us into Creve Coeur Park. But, how would we get through the city? How would we get into Illinois over the Mississippi? How would we get to Hartford?
In these times of trial one can only ask, what would Merriweather Lewis do? What would William Clark do? What would Seaman the dog do?
They would strike out into the unknown, that's what they would do. Maps schmaps, it's time to make our own route.
Off we went into the unknown, into the City of St. Louis.
We ended up making our way into University City, where we were able to catch a Metrolink train down to the river landing, and from the landing we rode the Riverfront Trail north to Chain of Rocks Bridge. The Riverfront Trail takes riders through the heart of St. Louis's post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland. Mountains of crushed automobiles dot the landscape along side hills of other discarded materials of unknown origin. In the river the remnants of piers long since lost to the water's insistent pull stand alongside half sunk barges. Eventually, this nightmare of modern life gives way to hills of dirt and trees, grass, parks.
The Chain of Rocks Bridge is a marvel all it's own stretching across the river, an endless spann of steel that takes one into the heart of the river to watch the muddy water flow and eddy.
Suddenly we were in Illinois. Suddenly we were in Hartford, and there was a great gathering of St. Ivanys with a veritable feast laid out before us.
We rejoiced!
Day 51 Portland, MO to August, MO
2774.3 miles
Today it was a party on two wheels, or six depending on how you count.
Not far out of Portland we came to the bridge to Hermann and decided to take lunch at the winery. We had wine and cheese on the in the Hermanhof gardens, and then we had pie and coffee at Time for Pie in town. They had only been open for 9 days, but they have a good thing going.
Eventually we left Hermann and rode on finding ourselves at the bar in Treloar several hours later drinking High Life and watching Young Guns. The result of all this fun was that we rolled into Augusta late, just before 7pm with nothing in our bags to eat and a terrible hunger in our bellies. The bartender/waitress/cook i.e. the only person at the microbrewery took pity on us though she was closing up shop and made us a quick dinner and pulled a couple more brews.
We pedaled on up the rode a couple more miles, sapping the very last of AC's energy for the second day in a row, and up a steep hill to Klondike Park for the night.
Today it was a party on two wheels, or six depending on how you count.
Not far out of Portland we came to the bridge to Hermann and decided to take lunch at the winery. We had wine and cheese on the in the Hermanhof gardens, and then we had pie and coffee at Time for Pie in town. They had only been open for 9 days, but they have a good thing going.
Eventually we left Hermann and rode on finding ourselves at the bar in Treloar several hours later drinking High Life and watching Young Guns. The result of all this fun was that we rolled into Augusta late, just before 7pm with nothing in our bags to eat and a terrible hunger in our bellies. The bartender/waitress/cook i.e. the only person at the microbrewery took pity on us though she was closing up shop and made us a quick dinner and pulled a couple more brews.
We pedaled on up the rode a couple more miles, sapping the very last of AC's energy for the second day in a row, and up a steep hill to Klondike Park for the night.
Day 50 Columbia, MO to Portland, MO
2713.4 miles
We went into Columbia last night to sleep away from the bugs and the heat, and to pick up AC's bike and belongings.
We are now three. Briefly, this morning we were four. Justin joined us for the 10 miles to McBaine, and then parted with us to return to Columbia. Three went on.
We rode AC hard today for his first day out. We put in 60 miles to Steedman, MO where we expected to find camping available in the yard of the town's bar and grill. We found the bar. It was the only thing in Steedman, but it was closed. Whether it would open another day was an issue of some debate, but without access to water or toilets it was a debate whose conclusive answer we could not afford to wait and discover.
AC was in rough shape. We needed another ten miles to the next camping listed on our maps, but he was having nothing of it. We rested awhile and then gave him some energy goo, mango flavored, to propel him on. Fortune favored us however, and five miles down the road we came across a campsite that was not listed on our maps in Portland. Our fate was sealed as I went in search of the campground's owner and my front tire blew out No proprietor could be found, but in searching a local woman informed us we could camp for free at the community center up the hill.
Don't worry AC, we need ride no further tonight.
We went into Columbia last night to sleep away from the bugs and the heat, and to pick up AC's bike and belongings.
We are now three. Briefly, this morning we were four. Justin joined us for the 10 miles to McBaine, and then parted with us to return to Columbia. Three went on.
We rode AC hard today for his first day out. We put in 60 miles to Steedman, MO where we expected to find camping available in the yard of the town's bar and grill. We found the bar. It was the only thing in Steedman, but it was closed. Whether it would open another day was an issue of some debate, but without access to water or toilets it was a debate whose conclusive answer we could not afford to wait and discover.
AC was in rough shape. We needed another ten miles to the next camping listed on our maps, but he was having nothing of it. We rested awhile and then gave him some energy goo, mango flavored, to propel him on. Fortune favored us however, and five miles down the road we came across a campsite that was not listed on our maps in Portland. Our fate was sealed as I went in search of the campground's owner and my front tire blew out No proprietor could be found, but in searching a local woman informed us we could camp for free at the community center up the hill.
Don't worry AC, we need ride no further tonight.
Day 49 Arrow Rock, MO to Cooper's Landing, MO
2647.9 miles
Amanda did not stay up until 2am last night consumed with a fiery determination to finish the final Harry Potter. But, she couldn't walk away, or ride away without knowing. So, we went back to Arrow Rock and she finished up the book before we hit the road.
We picked up the Katy Trail in Booneville. It should take us nearly to the conclusion of our journey. The Katy treats us very well. Flat, smooth, no traffic. These next three days should be a very comfortable way to end our trip.
We rode fast. The ease of terrain and the anticipation of our welcome party put some speed into our legs, and soon we were in Rocheport, and then Cooper's Landing.
Amanda's parents were there to meet us as were Elizabeth, Justin, and AC. We had Stags on the river and ate thai food. It's good to be home, if only briefly.
Amanda did not stay up until 2am last night consumed with a fiery determination to finish the final Harry Potter. But, she couldn't walk away, or ride away without knowing. So, we went back to Arrow Rock and she finished up the book before we hit the road.
We picked up the Katy Trail in Booneville. It should take us nearly to the conclusion of our journey. The Katy treats us very well. Flat, smooth, no traffic. These next three days should be a very comfortable way to end our trip.
We rode fast. The ease of terrain and the anticipation of our welcome party put some speed into our legs, and soon we were in Rocheport, and then Cooper's Landing.
Amanda's parents were there to meet us as were Elizabeth, Justin, and AC. We had Stags on the river and ate thai food. It's good to be home, if only briefly.
Day 48 Arrow Rock, MO and Booneville, MO
2597.6 miles
Today, I read Harry Potter 7. Start to Finish. 14 hours.
Amanda's Mom brought us the books in Arrow Rock along with snacks. Thanks Nancy.
Amanda and her Mom saw a play. At some point we went to Booneville. There was a bed a breakfast built during the civil war by a Missouri Boat Captain.
These events are but fleeting ephemera.
I read...and read.
Then, it was over.
Today, I read Harry Potter 7. Start to Finish. 14 hours.
Amanda's Mom brought us the books in Arrow Rock along with snacks. Thanks Nancy.
Amanda and her Mom saw a play. At some point we went to Booneville. There was a bed a breakfast built during the civil war by a Missouri Boat Captain.
These events are but fleeting ephemera.
I read...and read.
Then, it was over.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Day 47 Lexington, MO to Arrow Rock, MO
2597.6
Lexington is a really neat place to be. Lots of history. Very pretty, quaint. There is also a wonderful bookstore, River Reads, downtown. They serve a good cup of coffee and have a terriffic selection of literature for a small town bookstore. No shelves of Harlequin here. We had doughnuts in honor of Harry Potter 7 being released. Amanda read Rumi. I read Rilke. We read for a couple of hours.
Eventually we had to tear ourselves away from the comfy confines of the bookstore and ride instead.
We rode to Arrow Rock, another delightful place to be. The state park in Arrow Rock is very nice and the town is tiny, old, charming, very charming. We walked around town before hitting the tent for the night, knowing that we could sleep in because tomorrow instead of riding we read Harry Potter.
Lexington is a really neat place to be. Lots of history. Very pretty, quaint. There is also a wonderful bookstore, River Reads, downtown. They serve a good cup of coffee and have a terriffic selection of literature for a small town bookstore. No shelves of Harlequin here. We had doughnuts in honor of Harry Potter 7 being released. Amanda read Rumi. I read Rilke. We read for a couple of hours.
Eventually we had to tear ourselves away from the comfy confines of the bookstore and ride instead.
We rode to Arrow Rock, another delightful place to be. The state park in Arrow Rock is very nice and the town is tiny, old, charming, very charming. We walked around town before hitting the tent for the night, knowing that we could sleep in because tomorrow instead of riding we read Harry Potter.
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