Day 36: Atchison to Kearney, MO

Distance: 61 miles

Elevation: +2663/-2649

Temperatures: 80s and 90s

It still feels odd that it’s just the three of us - Mary Jo, Carol and Becky - riding now, but we’re getting used to it. Today was supposed to be 54 miles, but Mary Jo realized that, instead of riding on busy 92, we could move to safer surface roads with just a few more added miles. That also gave us the opportunity to stop in the little town of Paradise and eat cheeseburgers...for all you Jimmy Buffett fans!

It was up and down almost all day. Not those long, gradual hills, darn it. But if we’re anything, we‘re trained up for hill work now! This part of Missouri is lovely - pretty towns, lush hills, tidy farms. We crossed the mighty Missouri on our way out of spooky Atchison and we’ll cross it again tomorrow. This week, we are never far from this great river which, sadly for the Lewis & Clark expedition, didn’t turn out to be the Northern Passage through the country.

We discovered the super-cute, historic town of Weston, MO but too early in the day to stay and explore...we’ll be back someday!

We THINK these are egrets?

We found an actual paved bike trail, a distillery and a really good gravel road today!

Mary Jo and Carol’s route adjustment was a welcome change. The scenery throughout the day was beautiful, but the last twelve miles were particularly lovely. Kurt earned his SAG stripes today by parking the car at every turn so we could find our way to the end of the ride easily...he’s the bomb!

We’re in the little town of Kearney tonight and bike on to Higginsville, MO tomorrow.

Mary Jo and Carol hard at work to make the route safe!

Two lovebirds in the hotel lobby swing! It was made in India and shipped to the hotel and, the hotel staff tells us, not a day goes by when someone doesn’t comment on it.

Highlights:

Beautiful scenery

A safe and pleasant route, thanks to good planners

Lowlights:

The heat, of course, but we‘re getting used to it!