Sixth State Line – Missouri - And the Levee Broke

Sixth State Line – Missouri

And the Levee Broke

Thursday 6^th June, 2019

Day 27

Location: Topeka, KS to St. Joseph, MO

Distance: 85 miles.  Biked only 57 miles

Temp: 64 – 85 F rainy early AM, sunny PM

Dew point:  66 F

    Winds:  non-issue

 

Cumulative climbing distance:  2,220 ft

Cumulative descending distance:  2,180 ft

 

Day of many interesting events, only 1 planned, i.e., crossing our 6^th state line into Missouri.  The morning started with a fire alarm at the hotel (due to burned toast in the kitchen) resulting in several fire trucks arriving just as we were attempting to depart, early morning rain, a kitten in the engine compartment of the SAG wagon van, and then a broken levy on the Missouri side of the Missouri River that today flooded our original tour highway and resulted in a 15-mile detour on very hilly roads.

 

Due to the morning rain we decided to take the SAG wagon to the 1^st SAG stop.  And after noon the levy broke resulted in extended hilly climbs, after which I was swept up in the SAG wagon.  Resulting in only 57 biking miles.

 

On a personal note, today I checked the blog site viewing statistics and was pleasantly surprised to see the number of people reading the blog.  The numbers typically vary between 30 - 40 people per day with a high of 63. 

 

Today we are on our way to St. Joseph, MO.  Notable historical facts:  The Pony Express started there in 1860 transporting mail from there to Sacramento, CA.  Wagon trains heading west in the mid-1800 started there.  Jesse James was shot there in his home in 1882.

 

Fire alarm at the hotel (due to burned toast in the kitchen) resulting in a several fire trucks arriving just as we were attempting to depart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sinclair gas station is a brand that we do not have in the East.

  

 

The kitten we discovered in the engine compartment of the SAG wagon van after 30 minutes of driving and attempting to determine the source of the meowing.

 

 

 

 Typical rolling hills, fields and wooded sections.  Note the water in the corn field.

 

 

 

 

Our bikes at the morning SAG wagon stop.  Note the antique store in the background.

 

 Judi was looking for new forms of transportation at the antique shop.

 

 Modern farming. Note the tracked tractor pulling a disc, planter, and fertilizer, all at once.

 

 Due to the levee break we took a detour through town and then on smaller country roads. We were instructed by the local sheriff to ride as a group with our vehicles before and after the riders.

 

  

 

A flooded stream flowing into the Missouri River.

  

 

In May 1804 Lewis and Clark departed St. Louis and headed up the Missouri River on their journey to the Pacific Ocean.  Today as we travel along the Missouri River signs marked their journal and points of interest.

 

 

Longhorn cattle.

 

Missouri River above flood stage with grain elevators at far left flooded.