August 5, 2024 – The Katy Trail

    I ate breakfast at the Econolodge (eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, waffle with syrup, and a couple glasses of orange juice). Then, I packed up all my gear and went back out into the elements...the wind, the rain; the bugs, the sun, thirst, hunger, and lack of shelter. Just kidding! It's not that bad. In fact, everything was perfect. God graced me with perfect weather, good riding roads, food and water, and God took away my butt pain. My rear was no longer killing me. Thank you, good Lord, above!

    So, I rode five miles north on the Mississippi River Trail to the Lewis and Clark Historic State Park. I met Mike and Mike; two of the museum curators/attendants. Mr. Mike showed me around the museum, and both Mr. Mikes were a wealth of historical information related to Lewis and Clark and American history. The museum was fantastic. If you are ever in the Saint Louis area, I highly recommend checking out the museum. It got me pumped to get back out onto the trail...and be in the footsteps of two of my favorite heroes of American History: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. I left the museum, and the combination on my lock accidentally changed. I couldn't figure out the combination, so I left it at the park on a picnic table. My loss, but maybe someone has the patience to figure out the combo.

    I rode to Walmart in Wood River, IL. I bought another bike lock and replenished my food supply. I left there and followed a bicycle path through the following towns: Alton, Fairmont, Elsah, and Grafton. I then crossed the Illinois River on the Brussels Ferry. On the other side of the river, I entered into the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. I meandered my way through the refuge and into some rural farmland. I made camp at an old run down general store entitled Golden Eagle. The building is now for sale, no one was there, so I slept on the wrap around porch. Very comfy spot, I felt safe, and I slept soundly.

    In the morning, around 6:00am, I headed back out into the winding, hilly country roads. Roads between golden crops of corn and seas of green soy beans. I came to the end of Golden Eagle Road, and I took the Golden Eagle Ferry across the Mississippi River. I was finally in Missouri. Another state closer to the west. Another goal. Another accomplishment. Another adventure.

    As I was riding into Saint Charles, I came across a biker named Mr. Jim. He had a blowout. Shortly after I stopped to help, another cyclist named Paul, stopped to help as well. In addition, Mr. Jim's wife was on her way to pick him up. By the time we fixed the flat, Mr. Jim's wife arrived on the scene. He is a very joyful and jubilant man. A true man of God. May God bless both you, Mr. Jim, your wife, and Mr. Paul. God be with you guys.

    After helping out Mr. Jim, I rode the rest of the way into town. I walked down historic Main Street, checked out the Bike Stop Cafe, shot some photographs, and then went to the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum down by the Missouri River. This is another fantastic museum that I highly recommend. They have actually built and successfully journeyed the Lewis and Clark Trail with a replica of the Keelboat, the white pirogue, and the red pirogue. A young man named Orion, dressed in pilgrim-style garb, did a fantastic job demonstrating various tools and miscellaneous items Lewis and Clark would have used on the voyage. For instance, bear grease is used for insect repellant.

    After the museum, I went to McDonald's, and then I started on the Katy Trail. I have rode thru the following towns:

Day 1-->Defiance, Matson, Augusta, Dutzow, and Marthasville.

Day 2-->Peers, Treloar, McKittrick, Rhineland, Bluffton, Portland, Steedman, Mokane, and Tebbetts.

Day 3-->Wainwright, North Jefferson City, Claysville, Wilton, Easly, McBaine, Huntsdale, Rocheport, Franklin, and Boonville.

    I met several cyclists along the way and my three days on the Katy Trail was an absolute joy. People that I met include Rob, Becky, David, John, a troop of Christian cycling scouts, and several more God-fearing, wonderful folks.

    Rob is an interesting character. He was a hitch hiker for three years and traveled across the country a few times as a gypsy. His experiences on the road have led him to God. David is a paraplegic who uses a recumbent hand bike. He's paralyzed from the chest down. He was hit by a car while cycling. Likewise, John, David's riding companion, was also hit by a car while cycling. Both of them gave me an urgent and most needed warning to be as careful as possible while riding on the road. Both men are also devoted men of God...They believe in the Gospel, and Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Becky told me about an a bicycle ride across the state of Iowa that takes place every year. She said it is like Woodstock for cycling. Over 18,000 cyclists showed up this year. This peaked my interest as it is absolutely fascinating! I'm going to check it out. The ride is called RAGBRAI:  Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

    This is just a rough summary of the past few days. I've got to find a campsite for the night in Boonville. I'm about to leave the A&W fast food restaurant. Over and out.