Fall Foliage Ride I; 11/1/14

It was brrrr cold this morning – the temperature dipped below freezing during the night.  When I went out first thing in the morning there was frost on my motorcycle cover.  The temperature had skyrocketed to 37 degrees when we departed at 9:20.

We rode north on Hwy 19 through Alton and Greer.  It was a pretty day and we enjoyed the scenery.  We saw two deer along this route.  One ran parallel to the road for awhile before suddenly crossing the road in front of us.  I’m glad I had slowed so there was no crisis.Hwy 19 north of Thayer, MOWe were making good time until north of Eminence we came upon one of those slow-moving trailer-pulling traffic obstructions.Hwy 19 north of I-40Eventually we were able to pass and rode on to Salem, MO, where we stopped for gas and hot coffee (sugar-free cappuccino for Chris).

From Salem we rode north through Rolla, Vichy, Vienna and Freeburg on our way to Jefferson City.  We checked into our motel, a Quality Inn, before having a very late lunch at Oscar’s Classic Diner (http://oscarsclassicdiner.com/).  Jackie, who we met at Grand Gulf State Park the day before, recommended Oscar’s to us.  We had an excellent lunch and recommend this eatery should you find yourself hungry in Jefferson City.Oscar's Diner; lunch in Jefferson City

Oscar Mankin opened the original Oscar’s Steak House in Jefferson City in 1948.  He and his offspring have operated restaurants ever since.  This restaurant is operated by a grandson of the original Oscar and his father helps out in the kitchen – pretty cool.

After lunch we visited the Clark’s Hill Norton State Historic Site.  The Clark’s Hill portion of the name comes from the fact that the Lewis & Clark expedition camped at the base of this hill, from June 1st to the 3rd, 1804.  On June 2nd William Clark climbed this hill to check out the surrounding countryside.  A wooden platform and overlook now exists at the point where William Clark would have stood.  In 1804 the Missouri and Osage Rivers met just east of this hill, in plain view of William Clark.  Today you can see both rivers but they now meet further east, out of sight from the overlook.Clark's Hill / Norton State Historic Site ;Missouri River on the left; Osage River on the right; looking eastThe name Norton comes from the family that donated the land where this historic site is located and who also donated money for its development.

Back in out motel we took a dip in the indoor pool and a soak in the hot tub before calling it a night.  We rode 220 miles today.  It was 48 when we arrived in Jefferson City but the eventual high was 52.  At least the sun shone all day long.

For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/6076906373088883009?authkey=CM3ErYT1tNC8QA

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