Saturday, February 7, 2009

Rails to Trails Excitement

In 2007, I had the chance to bike on Missouri's KATY trail. Now I am by no means a biking pro, but that trail is wonderful for beginning bikers. Largely flat, it follows along the Missouri river over old railway bridges, through fields, past bluffs and old towns, and has some nice stops at wineries and cafes along the way. Needless to say, I have been following my state's rails to trails initiative fairly closely.

Last night we went to take the Mr.'s mom out for a drive and had a wonderful surprise to see how much progress has been made on the trail down by my husband's old hometown. You could see the trail from the road and a grader/loader was doing some work on one patch of it. There were little piles of gravel or cheat just waiting to be spread on and packed down. I am so hopeful that it won't be long! When it is finished, there will be 115 miles of trail going straight through the state, and we will be only 30 minutes away from a great jumping-on place. (Actually, that jumping-on place will be the trail head on the west side.) I really need to contact someone in this area and see if they have a need for additional hands. I don't have any special equipment, but I could pull weeds or wield a shovel.

It won't be long until it is time to pull the bike out, dust it off, and start putting in some miles again. Ah, fresh air and wide open spaces.

5 comments:

A said...

Sounds like fun! How many miles did you bike on the MO trail? How long did you bike? How many people did you go with? I bet it was beautiful! We might have to rent/borrow some bikes sometime when we are back in KS and check out the trail you talked about. S and I rode bikes often when we were in college (until, of course, someone stole our bikes)...

Mrs. E said...

I actually rode from Boonville to McBaine. It was only about a 25 mile ride. I rode it in one morning. Then I rode at McKittrich when we stayed in Hermann on that same trip. I rode out both directions from there--but only 5 miles or so out. Mr. ran a shuttle for me, but would park at the next stop and ride back to meet me. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I rode by myself. It would be fun in a group, but it seems hard to get a group that would be similar in riding styles and goals. Maybe one of these days. Actually, my brother and his wife said something about meeting us in McBaine and riding to Jeff City one day. Maybe spring break this year. We'll have to see.

A said...

Sounds amazing! And do you not just LOVE Hermann??!!! I recommend the October Wine Fest in Hermann if you ever get the chance. Stay in a lovely bed and breakfast, take a picnic basket for the vineyards, do wine tastings at the local wineries... I've done it two years, and it's absolutely one of my favorite fall events! We actually have 2 bottles from our favorite winery there that we have been saving for a "special" occasion. (We even moved them from KS to NYC with us!) I have no idea when we'll open them!! :) If you ever go back to Hermann, go to the Adam Puchta Winery and get Adam's Choice!

CMwhyK said...

I GO TO A ART AND BURNERS FESTIVAL BY BOONEVILLE EVERY YEAR! BEATIFULL AREA!

Mrs. E said...

Booneville is a pretty area. I was riding by a Casino, and then through a junk yard, and through farmsteads out in the country.

And I LOVE the Adam Puchta winery. I think it was my favorite, too. Though I loved the Hermanhoff, too. It would be fun to hit Octoberfest. Maybe I will save a personal day some year and try it.