Roaring River Ride; Day 1

Chris and I took off today for Roaring River State Park at 10:30 am.  We’d been there before but this time we were going to stay a couple nights in the lodge inside the park – something we’ve wanted to do for some time.  It was mostly clear and 59 degrees.  A great day for a ride.

Our first stop was at Mill Creek Elementary in Lenexa, KS.  Chris worked here for over 20 years.  She dropped off a gift for a friend who was one day from retirement.stop @ Mill Creek Elementary

We rode south to Osawatomie, KS and then on to Ft. Scott, where I made an urgent urination stop at McDonalds.  At Pittsburg, KS we stopped at Harry’s Restaurant for lunch.  The food was good and very reasonably priced.

Our next stop was Baxter Springs located on the old Route 66 in extreme southeast Kansas.  They had a neat little visitor center with Route 66 stuff for sale.  Visitors were encouraged to sign the walls, so we did.we signed the wall inside the visitor center; Baxter Springs, KSWe were given directions to the old Rainbow Curve Bridge located north of Baxter Springs.  It is the only bridge of its type remaining on old Route 66.  We rode north on old Route 66 to the bridge.marsh arch bridge on old Route 66 north of Baxter Springs, KS

From the bridge we rode east on Hwy 66 intending to check out the tornado damage in Joplin.  In, Galena, KS, however, we rode past Steve’s Candy store with a 1966 Oldsmobile police car parked out front.  We returned for some pics, candy, and a shaved ice.

We arrived in Joplin thinking we’d find most of the city devastated.  This is the impression one gets from listening to the news.  We rode west to east through Joplin on Hwy 66 and saw no damage.  A local resident at a gas station told us how to get to the damaged area.  The damage we saw was located along 20th Street and was definitely significant.Joplin, MO

We rode on to Cassville, MO and picked up a few groceries before riding on to Roaring River State Park.Roaring River @ Roaring River State Park

It was, indeed, a great day for riding.  It was 59 degrees when we started and 59 degrees when we stopped.  It was mostly sunny all day long and the high temp was 68.  We rode a total of 265 miles.

For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/RoaringRiverRideDay1?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOnlw5eS1YOvHw&feat=directlink

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