Riding with Katie, MM 178 to 170 Katy Trail

Katie went with me for a Bicycle ride.  We rode a tour together in 1974 from Salem Missouri down Hwy 19 through the spring country then west to Bull Shoals lake.  After that she limited her bicycling to a 1940's era Goodrich cruiser.  Lately she indicated she would be interested in going with me on a ride.  We went to Rocheport and the Katy Trail.  We rented her a bike at the Trailside Cafe and Bike Shop, then rode east toward the MKT trail head.  

  near the start of the trail heading east

Memorial to Ted Jones who did so much to get
the Katy trail from idea to reality....

Niukonska

“little ones of the middle waters”

Name for Osage People

 In Loving Memory of Ronald "Tex" Gindgrich 1990

View from the bench

The picture did not come out very clear, but in the rock is the MKT railroad insignia, and below is a pipe coming out of the rock with water constantly flowing.  I always assumed they used it to add water to the railroad engine in the era of steam locomotives.....now it is a source of water on a hot day to lots of animals and plants..

 In Memory of Terry Ann Turner and Charles Matthews

View from the bench

 In Memory of Charles "Charlie" Albert Leech Sr. Katy Fireman and Engineer born 1875 Died 1950

View from the bench

 In Honor of Tom Turner 33 Years Service MKT RR Born 18888 Died 1986

View from the bench

 In Memory of Martha June Bourgeois

View from the bench

 and the view of the path that leads back up the bluff to LeBourgeois Winery, which has a really nice view from the top of the bluff, a nice patio and good wine....

 A typical view along this section of the trail, with the river on one side and the tall bluffs on the other...in winter there are eagles along this stretch of the river

 In Memory of D.A Gibbs For His Love of the Missouri River & the Corps of Engineers Kansas City District

View from the bench

 Love Beyond Life Carie D McClammer July 6, 1977 -May 31, 1996
Meissa Diehls September 10, 1977 - May 31, 1996

This must have a sad story associated, probably involving a car accident......

View from the bench

  I-70 crosses the river

In Memory of Denny Thornton
Boy Scout Troop 707
Oh to Hike Another Mile
1970-1992

View from the bench

flowers along the trail....I think it is Virginia Creeper, though my Virginia Creeper never blooms like this, it just takes over the flower beds and forest edges, hiding the poison ivy that grows with it....

 One of the many caves along the bluff, I think of this as the bear cave...

In Memory of Philip Wayne Alphin Velma Jean (Jeanie) Alphin

View from the bench

 In Memory of Don Bolli

 View from the bench

 In Honor of Paul A. Williams, M.D.

View from the bench

 In Loving Memory of Ben Steeno June 10, 1982 - November 10, 2002

 In Memory of Dorie Novacky

 In Memory of Raymond "Leroy" Schmidt 

12/7/1934 - 4/5/2010

 Katy

 The river shifts away from the trail leaving room for farm land

In Memory of Jack W. Needy

View from the bench

 Behind the bench was some of the healthiest poison ivy I have seen!

In Memory of Bill Higdon

 This is the Williams Burr Oak, just off the trail near Grocery Creek and Katfish Katy's It is one of the oldest Burr Oak in Missouri

 One of the inhabitants of the State Park

 One of the nice views of the trail