Ride for an Orange Tree - Boles, MO

Yesterday I saw this cool orange tree out in Boles. So I decided to go back and photograph it today. I also wanted to check out the road that I accidentally turned down yesterday. I followed it over to Manchester Road and went over another road I had never been on named Bassett back to St. Albans. Both are very very cool roads!

I left earlier today than yesterday and it was damn cold! Went over to Heads store in St. Albans for coffee. They are putting a f-ing Starbucks in Mae Heads store!!! Yeah a f-ing Starbucks!!!!!!! Will still be the general store but with an f-ing Starbucks in it as well.. *SIGH* Cracks me up! I guess all this is inevitable with the McMansions dotting the landscape in St. Albans now.. but a F-ING Starbucks, LMAO!! So great I got to buy an overpriced lousy cup of coffee but hey it was warm... The store was founded in 1893 had the same old characteristics for years. Blah...

Bend Road Bridge - Washington

Bikes @ Missouri River

The weather keeps treating us to nice mild afternoons. Pete and I headed out to Washington via various back roads. Overall the fall colors are not what they usually are but there are flashes of fall beauty here and there.

I have heard they will tear down the Bend Road Bridge but to date it is still being used. We walked out on the bridge to get some pretty Meramec river pictures. The bridge sure does shake when a car goes across :) I ran across some statistics for the bridge that I found interesting.

Facts

Overview

Two-span through truss bridge on Bend Road over Meramec River

Status (as of 2001)

Open to one-lane traffic

History

Built 1916 by Miller & Borcherding Bridge Builders; rehabilitated 1991

Approximate latitude, longitude

+38.46129, -90.77253 (decimal degrees)
38°27'41" N, 90°46'21" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")

Land survey

T. 43 N., R. 2 E., Sec. 14

Design

Pair of pin-connected, 10-panel Pennsylvania through trusses

Dimensions

Main span length: 200.1 ft.
Total length: 421.8 ft.
Deck width: 14.1 ft.
Vertical clearance: 14.0 ft.

Inspection (as of 2001)

Appraisal: Functionally obsolete
Sufficiency rating: 46.80

Meramec River @ Bend Road Bridge

Bikes@ Missouri River at Washington

Bend Road Bridge

Indian Summer!

Mississippi River Pano near Hannibal

What an awesome weekend to go riding!!

Ed, Sandy, Carolyn, Jerry and I headed out to Washington State Park and then out to Villa Ridge on Saturday. Just perfect ridiing weather. We hit some great roads down south (not named HH or Tom Frost). Lions Den between Old 21 and Old LeMay Ferry is a very nice diversion.

Ed, Pete and I went to *almost* Hannibal via Calhoun County, IL on Sunday. We had plans to just go to Kampsville, IL but our scoots just kept heading north. Think if we had more daylight we would have gotten to Iowa before turning around.

I am trying out a new slide show program for pictures. Let's see how it works!

Gravel 1 Me 0

Ok now that everyone in my family *finally* knows about my accident I will post here about it..

..had my first accident on the scooter... On the way down to Rocheport I took a slight spill. On HH near Tom Frost, I hit some gravel at about 30 mph and the front tire came completely out away from the road.

It's funny how things happen so quick and you remember to do the right things..

As soon as the tire slide out, I went to put my left foot down and my mind said uh no.. put it back on the scooter and ride it out..

I tried to counter steer, no can do, to much gravel..

As soon as my head hit the road, I saw the road and my sunglasses then a ton of dust. So I close my eyes and then I felt the bike slide away from me.. so I right away tucked in.

First thankful for no traffic coming.. secondly thankful that I was wearing a jacket jeans and boots, thirdly glad Pete was there..

Once I stopped moving, I got to my feet to find Pete.. seeing he was ok, I moved over towards my scooter with Pete.

Damaged, yeah.. all cosmetic. But still, I wash and wax this scooter every time I take it out.. sigh.. wanted to cry but thought all well..

Pete came over to look at my injuries, my right hand is missing a lot of skin on top at thumb and fore finger, not from the road but from the cowling on my scooter near the grip.. best I can figure it caught there. This was the only injury that was bloody..

If you know Pete, you know he is very very calm and under control.. so I never looked at my injuries, I watched him. He showed no emotion till he saw my left arm.. I was like umm could you not look at my arm that way?? He said that one is gonna hurt...

This was rash through my jacket.. The Corazzo jacket held up perfectly.. bit dusty but all good..

Both my knees were scraped and pretty bruised... as are my shins.. left side the road, right side best we can tell was from hitting the scooter.

Had boots on so nothing scraped up on my foot but it is bruised. Strawberry on my upper left thigh, not a bad one.

Knuckles have some minor scrapping on left hand and my right elbow very little scrapping. Slight bump on my head.

Yesterday I rode with a full face helmet, jeans, boots and a jacket. Thank God.. had I been in shorts and no jacket.. forget it, I would be typing this from a hospital.

Never again will I ride without a jacket.. the Corazzo 5.0 took all the hit and I had minor damage. Pete thinks it will take a long time for my left arm to heal but it could have been much worse...

Once up and some what cleaned off I decided the scooter and I were fine to make the rest of the trip. A large part of me did this cause I thought if we had the scooter trailered back to the house, it might take me a bit to get back on her..

Made a stop at Wal-Mart where Pete got supplies to properly clean and dress the wounds.. then we continued on no problems.. Still they do not hurt (Yes Pete, I know hey will...)

On way back to St. Louis today, I started feeling more sore and I mean everywhere... It was as if someone lifted a switch and said now it is time for you to be sore. Actually my sorest spot is my stomach muscles..

So out goes my newest Fulmer helmet.. but that baby did the job, but I will discard it.. out goes my Revo sunglasses, they are trashed. My new designer jeans that I PAID to have holes in them have some new holes put in for free courtesy of Route HH. My boots are pretty scraped up but they did their job.. Had I not had those on I have no doubt my left foot would have been crushed... my scooter works as I said damage is all cosmetic. Called insurance company and ETS so now it is in their hands.. nothing money won't cure.

Again having Pete there with his medical background made all the difference long term to my healing better. Had I had this accident alone I probably would have dusted myself off came home and cleaned up and not dressed it etc...

For all the teasing I gave Pete about his bed side manner, I could not have asked for a better person to be there when I had the accident.

Thanks Pete...

Rest of the trip was awesome, I glad I got back on and rode.. and wasn't afraid.

Lesson learned, gloves a must.. had I wore them my right hand would not be torn up. Never ever again will I ride without a jacket, that rash on my arm was through the jacket, the road melted the polyester lining into my arm.. so I guess ultimately the best thing to do would be wear long sleeve shirts to prevent that.

However I will accept that over no jacket. Only scrapping on the 5.0 is the pull tab over the velcro at the sleeve. Rest of my black/pink/silver jacket looks dusty but great!

Third day out I am very very sore, especially my stomach muscles. I have zero appetite (not a recommended diet solution :) )Skin is starting to tighten up, yeah!

Follow up, Corazzo reads a forum I post at, they are replacing my jacket for free. They want to see the damages to the inside. Pretty cool of them..

Rocheport Revisted

I traveled to Rocheport 4 times this year. Maybe my last trip of the year (on the scooter at least) this past weekend. Each trip was better and better.

Two of the main reasons you go to Rocheport; Sunsets and Dixie's cooking. Neither disappointed this past weekend.

I was looking through my pictures and noticed how different each sunset was.

June 2007

September 2007

October 2007

Of all the photos this is my favorite, was in June after the sun had gone on to set further west.

Hello, Would You Like To Join Me For Dinner?

What goes well with a nice cicadia? White or red wine?

Three Rivers Ride

Waiting to cross the Mississippi via the Golden Eagle

Took a small 210 mile trip today as it was way to nice outside! Ending up being a tad longer than I planned as I went down some roads around Pike County to see where they went (yes Pete, I stayed out of jail)

Crossed the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers on my trip today. Saw lots of farmland, had some good catfish for lunch and just general fun with the scooter and camera.

On the ferry there was a huge grain truck fully loaded. I was like cool they always let motorcycles off first. There is a HUGE hill off the river up into Illinois. The girl opened the ferry gate and held me back and let two cars go, I was like damn, not only damn, hell no... I raised my helmet and said, I wanna go in front of the dump truck, she said they go really fast you need to be behind. I said I will be at the farmer's market 5 miles down the road before he gets up that hill. The truck didn't move he knew I wanted to go before him. She waves me through and says ok, don't say I didn't warn you. I said thanks for your concern and smiled.

I was at the farmer's market, had gone to bathroom and bought two apples when the grain truck came by.

Great River Road in Illinois

Atlas, Illinois

Bent over to tie my shoes sand saw myself

Scooter People

Over the last year I have met so many cool people associated with scooting. I wanted to share a tattoo from an outstanding scooterist, MJ. MJ is this awesome person and she LOVES to scoot! She commutes daily on her beloved plum Vespa LX150.

She is full of love for scooters and her enthusiasm for them is contagious!

Check out her Yoda Tat!! This is just wicked!!



Another person I met about 3 months ago is Rob Carver. He is a scooter mechanic, who you just have to meet! There is not a nicer guy in the world. Bobby tells it like it is and is so very very helpful. I have always been intimidated by engines and such. But through Bobby I am learning more and more every day! It is so cool to sit on his garage floor and watch him work on my scooter. Anyone in St. Louis reading this that hasn't met Bobby should make arrangements to have him look at your scooter. I promise you will not regret it. At the young age of 26, Bobby has more knowledge of two wheeled things than anyone in St. Louis.

Stop over on way to Mexico

I came across a field of flowers off a dirt road near Old Gray Summit (field backs up to Shaw's Nature Reserve) and I kid you not thousands of Monarch Butterflies! Must be a stop over in their migration route to Mexico.

Columbia Bottoms CA and BBQ

"That river is too thick to drink, and too thin to plow.” - Mark Twain

Missouri and Mississippi River Confluence

Sunday evening Pete and I made a trip up to Columbia Bottom CA, located in north St. Louis County. While the route up is nothing special the park was nice near sunset. The CA provides an intimate look at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The water was very calm and the color had a pretty blue hue to it versus the normal color of the Big Muddy. Was peaceful just to sit and watch the water. We were reminded that the Mississippi is a working river with several barges moving around on the Illinois side.

Barge moving upstream on the Mississippi River

After leaving the park we headed back into St. Louis, you can see the Arch from the conservation area. Neat view, I had already tucked my camera away, so next time. Coming into the city via Riverview/Broadway it was beginning to get a little dark, so we hopped on 55 and headed south to Reavis Barracks to Pennies BBQ.

If you have not been to Pennies' I highly recommend it. I had the full slab of ribs, ate 1/2 , umm where did I leave my leftovers :) Pete had this awesome pork steak, took all I had not to reach over and eat some of his dinner!

The Big Burgman and Little Ole Me

Speed Kills

Route T is a wicked road one you have to have a healthy dose of respect for. I have probably ridden Route T to and from Washington almost every week since I got my scooter.

Coming back east on T, I headed into a small town called Labadie. I wanted to stop and get some water and go to the bathroom. As I rode up to the little general store there was 3 crotch rockets out front. One of the guys said to me, sorry they are closed today. I said bummer and then he started asking me about my scooter.

He said what is the fastest you have been on that? I said, umm about 92. He said bull shit... I said no really… I said you are welcome to hop on it and see for yourself. He said Nahh, would be bad for my reputation to be seen on a scooter. He said what way are you headed on T? I said into West County, he said well follow us and show me what that scooter can do. I said I will pass; I wanted to ride out to the Labadie Coal Plant... an electric making coal plant.

I started her up and off I went. The coal plant and I have a strange relationship... I find it awesomely attractive. There is something about that huge plant that just makes me tick inside when I see it. It's just huge and powerful.

I head back on to T and started my ride home. After you leave Labadie there is this area that is switch backs with heavy elevations changes. Even curves within elevation changes. I always slow at the top of the most steep curve as there is always a lot of gravel on the road. As I hit Grand Army Road Road near the gravel, I slowed and as I start to go down a hill, I see at the top of the hill all these emergency vehicles and people waving their arms. I slow and one guy says go back and use that dirt/gravel road over the there (he points off to the north.) I said, ok cool, thanks. As I hit this dirt/gravel road my entire attention is on the road, I HATE GRAVEL.

I see all these people standing ahead on the dirt/gravel road and I slow and say to one of the ladies, a bad wreck, huh? She says yeah a motorcycle accident. She says there is the guys bike over there (about 100 feet off the embankment from the HWY T) my stomach drops as I see the mangled bike, it was the guy I had just spoke to at Labadie's bike. I turn off the scooter and start to walk up to HWY T, the lady says to me, honey you don't want to go up there. Well I did, under a sheet was the guy I had just meet. Man I felt horrible...still do.

When I came back down the hill, I was shaken up. One of the other ladies commented that someone said they were just going to fast to the road. He layed the bike down on the curve and a pickup ran over him and the bike. Bike was mangled.. dude was dead... really nice guy...he had awesome blue eyes and a wicked smile. That's all I know about him.

Like I said HWY T is a wicked road, I will not be able to ride though that section without thinking of this guy.

Picture I took sometime within the last week.

Slippery Pete's Snow Cones

I have found a little secret tucked away in the burbs of St. Louis. Slippery Pete's Snow Cones! I was killing some time and came across this little oasis on Oakland Ave. in Oakland. Oakland runs parallel to the railroad tracks between S. Sappington and Berry Road.

These two charming entrepreneurs make the best tasting snow cone, this side of the Mississippi!

I highly recommend Slippery Pete's especially during these dog days of summer! Make sure you try the green apple, it was yummy.

5 stars! To the guys at Slippery Pete's, if you want this picture in higher quality, click on the comment button and send me an email address.

New Helmet and Hot Dogs

I picked up my new helmet today at ETS.


In the sole interest of research I rode around town a bit and ended up at Woofie's. Of course I had to check it out fot the scooter club evening ride next week!

The helmet I got is the Fulmer AFM Modus, Red Thrust with the Fire (red) shield.

The fit was a tad bit more comfy than my HJC AC-12 Yikes III. It weighed a tad more than my HJC. Wind noise at a lower speed was more than my HJC but not annoying.

On the side roads everything was great, was nice to be able to lift the face when needed. I jumped on Hwy 40, up to about 60mph everything was fine, at 65-70mph I noticed a little lifting on the helmet

The air intake on top of the helmet is not as nice as the HJC, I can really feel the air come into the HJC and go across my head and exit..

I liked the air intake at my mouth better than the HJC, can really feel it come in.

The fire shield takes a little getting use to, it is totally different view than my mirrored HJC shield. Like my HJC mirrored shield I did not need my sun glasses.

Changing the shield on the HJC is way easier than the Fulmer, but in time I will get it down.

For a summer alternative to my full face, I am pleased with the choice I made. Thanks Matt :)

On a sidenote I rode down to ETS with a half shell, talk about uncomfortable. Maybe it is because I am so use to my full face but all that wind and noise was unbearable. I never was above 40mph and it was ugh...

Hardin Trip with Scooter Club

7 of us hooked up at 370/Earth City Parkway North. Carolyn on her new shiny BV500, Matt on his new shiny Vespa 250GTS, Sandy’s Uncle Jerry on his new shiny Bergman then rest of us on our old clunkers Wade, Mike, Sandy and myself.


We headed over the 370 to route 94, and up to the Grafton Ferry. We crossed over into Illinois and road up to Pere Marquette via the Great River Road. After a brief stop to take in the vista view, we headed up to Hardin. Turned right and went north of Hardin to the Barefoot Landing (Wade knows all the hot spots)

Yummy food, I had fried chicken livers, they were awesome.

Afterwards and straight shot down through Calhoun County towards the ferries. We made a brief stop at the farmers market in Brussels. I got some really nice looking sweet garlic pickles.

We separated from there, with one portion of the group heading back to the Golden Eagle and onto the Bass Pro Shop. Wade, Matt and I headed over to the Brussels Ferry and went down the Great River Road, through East St. Louis to St. Louis. Wade was sweet enough to bring us across the bridge where we all parted company.

Awesome ride today, even better company.

Lesson learned today; before you start talking in a restroom, make sure the person you are talking to is there….



Hardin Pictures

Road Rage

I have never really been one to get road rage when I drive my car. Of late I have been finding myself getting more and more mad at other drivers when I ride my scooter. Maybe because I am so defensive when I ride my scooter.

Yesterday I rode into work via Manchester Road. I had two Porsche along the route, both with dealer tags. They were constantly running in and out of traffic and one cut within a few feet of me to be first in line at a red light. All that moving in and out of traffic and they went no where any faster than me. I was going to follow both into the lot and say something but I figured it would be wasted on the two idiots.

When I got to work, I called the dealership. I asked for the general manager. He called me back about 3 hours later and I gave him both car tags, times they were on Manchester and descriptions of the cars. I also told him to tell the guy in the Boxster instead of picking his nose he should use his blinker more. The GM was apologetic and said he would speak to both salesmen.

Probably a tad overkill but it bothered me that much..... Ok, as I stewed all day about this I have come to realize people are just stupid and I just have to go back to driving defensively without going to the point of rage or getting myself upset.

It's amazing how much more stupidity you see when on a scooter than you normally do.

Wide World of Hot Dogs

After work last night I took a spin over to The Hill area to see fellow scooterist, Shelia. Shelia and Barry had just returned from a trip up to Canada. Even though they experienced a few bumps in the road they had a good time away.

I left about 6:30ish and was trying to figure a route back home and decided i just wanted to get home so I would come back over to Manchester and ride out. On the way out I was getting hungry so I decided to stop at Carl's Drive-In. Yummy hot dogs and root beer!!

http://www.hollyeats.com/CarlsHB.htm

LOL. check out that Chili Dog! and NO I did not have that ;)

After an invigorating carb and cholesterol filled dinner, I altered my route and headed up into Clayton, traveling a little bit more north I decided to head out to Creve Coeur Park then back home!

Evening Rides are fun! I am planning another, umm tonight ;)

A Lavender Farm in them thar hills!

I finally made it out to Winding Brook Estate lavender farm. Once small glitch they were closed, but I did drive into the farm for a look around.

The farm is located in Eureka just off 109. Take 109 to the Legends Parkway, follow to second stop sign and turn left. The lavender is blooming now so you will smell the farm before you see it!



I didn't get to do much since the farm was closed. I did enjoy my ride out and back on all the twisty back roads of West County. I do plan a return trip on a day they are opened...

Rocheport, Missouri

I decided on a whim to go to Rocheport, MO this weekend. Well deep down it was not a whim as it was a town I have wanted to visit for years.

After going I am DAMN mad I didn’t go years ago. I held an election and I am now the Mayor McCheese and the unofficial PR person for Rocheport. I am sure they will be thrill to learn this, all 208 residents.

You ask, well where is Rocheport? It is dead in the center of the state between Kansas City and St. Louis just off Hwy 70.

You ask, why should I visit Rocheport? The easy answer is why not?

Sit right back while you hear a tale…

My Route:

I left St. Louis morning about 9:30am and headed out Hwy 40 to Hwy 94. I followed 94 all the way to Route D. Route D is just west of Bluffton, MO. The route between 40 and D was pretty painless but very enjoyable. Stayed on D about 5 miles up to Route O. A nice windy route and a nuclear plant to boot, who could ask for more? Route O drops you into Fulton. I wander through Fulton over to 4^th street which turns into Route F which goes to Columbia. Once small issue, Route F was closed in middle and I had to take a detour, about a 20 mile detour via HWY 54 to route H to route J. Not much of an issue as J is pretty straight route up to WW. I picked up WW and was a short ride into Columbia. Then wandered through Columbia and ended up on the west end and picked p UU to Hwy 40 and followed that to Spur 240 and finally into Rocheport. Total mileage was about 140.

Rocheport (French for Port of Rocks)

A quaint little town nestled on the banks of the Missouri River. Whether you come into town via Route BB via Hwy70 or the 240 spur from Hwy 40 you instantly know you are in for a special visit.

This is small town America yet with a very rich history and a definite splash of sophistication. The town is very warm and welcoming.

Upon arrival I rode up and down the streets and got the lay of the land. The shops along “main” street were bustling with patrons.

The rest of the town is filled with many other merchants including several bed and breakfast inns. I was staying at the Yates House (www.yateshouse.com ) so I sought out the house after leaving the main street area. I turned onto Second Street and immediately recognized the house I had seen on their web page.

After I got my bearings, I headed up to the Les Bourgeois winery. First let me say I am not a connoisseur of wine but I am here to tell you as far as ambience goes, this winery has it in spades. While I love the setting of Mount Pleasant in Augusta, Les Bourgeois puts Mount Pleasant to shame.

There are three areas to the winery: the tasting room at Hwy 70/BB, the Blufftop Bistro and the A-Frame.

www.missouriwine.com

I will begin where I started, the Blufftop Bistro. You can look all over the Missouri and I doubt you find a better situated restaurant. I am not keen on eating by myself but I had a marvelous time. My server Rachel made my experience very enjoyable. The menu is varied and has something for everyone. I had a crabmeat frittata and for dessert lemon lavender pond cake. Both YUMMY!

After my fabulous lunch, I headed up to the tasting room. I did not have any wine since I was riding on my scooter and it was about 90 degrees. The tasting room at the winery is good opportunity to introduce ones self to the Les Bourgeois offerings. I watched others sample and the two women conducting the testing’s were very nice and rushed no one. At larger wineries I have found after you taste one wine it is almost a what do you want next approach without any regard to what you are experiencing. . These two ladies explained each wine and I had fun listening and learning.

I head headed back into town to check in at the Yates House. I was warmly greeted by owner Dixie Yates. I can’t begin to express in words what a marvelous host Dixie is. From the minute I stepped in I was welcomed with warmth and friendliness.

Dixie gave me a tour of the house. The house is just beautiful! You would think I was walking into the house as if it were just completed that day. I have never seen such a clean place! I have stayed in 5 star hotels that were not as nice as the Yates House. If I had chosen I could had dinner in my bathroom and felt at ease!

When I mentioned to Rachel, my server at the Bluff top Bistro, that I was staying at the Yates House, the first thing she said was wait till you meet Dixie and man can she cook! I did try Dixie’s homemade cookies that she has on the kitchen island for guests. They are awesome!!

After my tour I was shown to my room. I stayed in the Valentine room, a very sunny and comforting room! I was dying to have a shower, do I did. I have said it before but I will say it again, my room and bathroom were immaculate!

After my shower I headed out back to the grounds of Yates House.

Dixie in addition to being a master cook and published author is a marvelous gardener. The gardens are as charming as the owner and house. By the way, I keep calling this a house but the ambience Dixie creates makes it a home, you feel instantly at home!

Onward to explore Rocheport some more!

I did not go to school in Missouri so I did not have the usual Missouri history lessons. I have been self taught in my Missouri history and I knew Rocheport played a part in the Civil War and was hit hard by Confederate guerrillas. I let my mind wandered and wondered what it must have been like for the early settlers in this small town under attack. Especially given when history indicates they would have sided with the South. Unfortunately war is never kind to anyone no matter the time or place.

Being a Lewis and Clark nut, I was exciting to head over to the KATY trail, I always get a thrill to think that I am walking in the same steps that Lewis and Clark did in. I once trespassed on Union Pacific railroad rails to see Tavern Rock cave and bluff where Meriwether Lewis almost died on the first few days of the expedition. I digress….

The KATY trail to those that don’t know is a 200+ mile biking trail built on the abandoned and scenic route of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Rocheport has one of the most amazing parts of the KATY trail including a 240 foot tunnel dug through a bluff in 1893. You can still see the soot left by the trains in the tunnels ceiling and walls.

Near the tunnel entrance I was surprised to find a Missouri conservation area named Diana Bend. A wetland and bluff area which is well maintained. The climb to the top of the bluff is very steep but well worth the climb! Dixie later told me that in the fall you can walk all across the bluff and come out on the other side! I look forward to doing that in the fall. Check out Diana Bend info here:

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2006/06/30.htm

After a few short hours of checking out Rocheport, I headed over to the A-Frame back at Les Bourgeois winery. The A-Frame was the original home for the Bourgeois’ when they first bought the winery. Now it is a place to pick up a glass of wine and a snack. Beneath the A-frame is a series of terraces. Why are these terraces here? The A-Frame sits a mile down the bluff from the Blufftop Bistro. A top this bluff I witnessed the most amazing sunset I have ever seen in my life! Not one to sit still long, I sat and watched the day fade away for three hours!

After the sunset I rode back up though the winery and sat out by the vineyards and waited for the stars to come out! I was not disappointed as the days last light waned a beautiful moon appeared and the stars started popping.

Afterwards I headed back to the Yates House and crashed. I reflected on my day and was so happy I made the spur of the moment trip to my favorite new town. I promised myself as I drifted off this would not be my last trip!

If you take anything away from this blog, I want you to travel to Rocheport and see what I saw; I think you will fall in love as well.

If you have the means and opportunity the Yates House is a MUST stay. I know I will go back again but next time will be for more than the day as I just saw a little of what this town and area has to offer.

With my apologies to the other 49 states in this great country, I am not sure there is a prettier state overall than Missouri or for that matter a more beautiful town.

Here is a PhotoStory of my trip to Rocheport. The pictures seem out of sort but they are in order of how I took them with two cameras.

Click on the link and Windows media player will show the PhotoStory. Once opened it is best view by right clicking on the story and going to full screen. Turn on your volume as I picked one of my favorite songs to go along with the pictures.

http://www.stlphins.com/rocheport/Rocheport.wmv

Robertsville State Park/Shaw Nature Reserve

Route to First Stop

Sulpher Springs to big Bend to New Ballwin to Keifer Creek to St. Paul to Ridge to Old State to 109, North to Melrose (Rockwood) to Allenton to Greensfelder Park. Took the Scenic Loop was at Greensfelder! This is AN AWESOME Loop! Just beautiful scenery!

Route to Second Stop

Back to Allenton Road from Scenic Loop. Allenton comes out at Six Flags, left on W 5th to right on Central Ave, through downtown Eureka to W. South on W to Byrnesville Road! W and Byrnesmill are great roads to ride on. There is a HUGE sod farm on Brynesville.. Really nice! Followed Brynesville to NN, took a left then a quick right at Tom Frost Road. Tom Frost ends at HH, took a right (North) to O. Turned left (South West). Followed for about 1 1/2 miles to Robertsville State Park.

Followed the State Park road back to the Meramec River and a restroom :) Walked a round a bit.. not much to this park but it is a nice ride in and out.

Route to Third Stop

Headed back to O and turned right. followed O across the Meramec River to Robertsville Rd. Turned right heading North. the road come on 100 near Grey Summit close to the Shaw Nature Reserve. Made a right then another quick right to the Nature Reserve. went in and paid my $3 and headed into the reserve. Monday - Thursday you can ride around the reserve, Friday - Sunday, you have to park and hike/walk in. I rode back to the Trail Head pavilion and parked. I walked out to an overlook. They are burning out all the red cedar and honey bushes from the Reserve. It is actually quite interesting. I did not walk back more in the trails as I was just at the Reserve the day before and hiked.

Route to Fourth Stop

Took a right out of the Reserve on 100, followed 100 across 44 to MM, turned left and followed MM to Labadie. Had a nice lunch at the little market in town.

The Not So Smart Route to Fifth Stop

Now here is where I did to much thinking.. I was going to turn in T and go home.. but thought it is so nice I will just run out to Washington Riverfront but go a different way. I saw Labadie Bottoms and Boles Road on Google Earth.. looked like all flat farmland.. so I thought what the heck. Well Labadie/Boles until railroad under pass is gravel :) NOT COOL!! LOL..well I did it but NEVER again! Once on hard top at Boles followed to Dunne Springs, a beautiful cut off road to Old 100. Followed Old 100 into Washington per my normal route from Dunne Springs.

Final Route Home

Came back Old 100 to Dunne Springs to T.. instead of turning left back home, I went back west on T to Old 100 and back to Dunne Springs.. the road is so cool i wanted to do it again :) Once back at T I turned left and took my normal route home.

Can NOT wait to ride this way again!! Just a perfect day!

Some Shaw Nature Reserve Pictures

That's Amore!

I absolutely love this clip! It cracks me up every time I watch it!