Day 32 Tebbetts MO to Franklin MO

June 12, 2023

This is my last full day on the KATY Trail. While it can become monotonous at times, especially when you’re riding alone, I try to appreciate it for what it is- a long trail without the worry of cars or nasty hills. I’m trying to live in the present as I know starting tomorrow I may have a radically different experience. It’s been kind of nice not having to worry about my blinky being charged. Also, it’s pretty difficult to get lost!

Peter dropped me off at the Tebbetts trail head and I immediately realized that I had left my helmet in the trailer. Peter went to retrieve it while I rode to the North Jefferson trailhead 12 miles away. Peter returned with the helmet but to the Jefferson spur a mile away. I just biked there, got the helmet, got Henry’s greeting (it doesn’t matter if you’ve been gone 5 minutes or 5 years), and returned to the trail, cranium now protected.
I’m seeing a lot of Queen Anne’s Lace now and just noticed the red in the center. Supposedly this is because the Queen pricked her finger while making lace.

I stopped for a snack on a bench facing the river and watched as a barge hauling a load of gravel got caught on something. It eventually got clear and docked next to this ? construction platform or barge.

Lots of interesting things to look at today.

Spiderwort. Different from what I saw earlier

Interesting tracks on the wood. Anyone know what it is?

Poke weed. Looks like a house plant but toxic

This must be what made those crazy tread mark rumble strips yesterday

Old church with nice details in Hartsburg

I kept straining my neck to find the pictographs on the bluffs before Rocheport but never saw any. I did see what I think was a storage place for explosives used in constructing the railroad. And I saw a few caves.

I was hoping to visit the bike shop/cafe in Rocheport but it closed at 4:00. 5 minutes too late. I really liked the tunnel west of The town. The east entry is rock then the rest of it is cut stone on the bottom with brick above.

As I approached the KATY Roundhouse campground on the trail in Franklin, Henry must’ve seen me and bounded out of the trailer howling his crazy greeting.

Good day. Glad to get off the saddle.

Today's ride: 60 miles (97 km)
Total: 1,214 miles (1,954 km)

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Nancy GrahamWell, good for you for finding the positives on what could be a boring trail ride. I have similar feelings about most trails I have ridden and am pleased you found some good stuff to see!
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