Holton, Kansas

I really wanted to take a ride in March that I could blog because I like to have at least one blog post each month of the year.  March had been tough due to weather . . .  too cold and too much snow.  Today was the day.

It was sunny and 68 degrees as Chris and I departed for Holton.  A GREAT day for a ride.  We rode north on I-435 to Hwy 45 north in Missouri.  It is a pretty ride, despite the barren leafless trees, into the Missouri river valley.  At Hwy 92 we turned west and crossed the river into Leavenworth, Kansas where we turned north on Hwy 7.  Not too far up 7 we turned west on Hwy 192 (note snow in the ditch), Hwy 192which eventually turned into Hwy 16.  These highways took us through Easton,Easton, KSWinchester and Valley Falls to Holton.  We had 88 miles on our trip meter.

Holton has a very ordinary looking courthouse on the city square, but it is an active business area.downtown Holton, KSWe stopped at a Casey’s, located on the northwest corner of the square, for a bathroom break and Chris did a little shopping at the Koger Variety store.Koger Variety in Holton, KS

We rode home south on Hwy 75 to Mayetta, where we turned right on 150th Road into the Potawatomie Indian Reservation.  A short way down the road is the Prairie Band Casino and the Firekeeper Golf Course.  We turned around in the golf course parking lot and returned to Hwy 75 southbound.  Hwy’s 24 and 32 took us back home to Shawnee.

The high temperature today was 70 and it felt wonderful.  We enjoyed our 180 mile ride through northeast Kansas.

It is amazing the difference a year can make.  In March of 2012 Chris and I took our first multiple day ride of the year.  The trees were leafed out and it was much warmer.  The following photo was taken when we arrived home.

tree at home

Not so this year.  In fact, we recently had a significant snow storm.  Hopefully that is all behind us for the year.  I’m ready to ride.

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