Today was the first of our final three travel days remaining and we would ride in three states: Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. We left around 7:45am with temps in the mid 50s, cloudy skies and breezy.
US50 was mostly a divided highway today, very unlike the two-lane road through most of Kansas yesterday that slowed in each small town. We could pass slower vehicles with more ease (which Michele appreciated).
Although the road was wider, each town did have its quirks. Notice this water tower.
We encountered yet more road construction for several miles, having to stop for 10 minutes or so. Moving again, a train with too many cars to count came by.
Back on US Hwy 50 eastbound, Rob kept a close eye on the Wing’s radar. A small green patch of rain was to our west. As we approached Kansas City, we saw another Virginia couple on a Harley trike pulling a trailer, already donned with their rain gear. We think they were trying to jinx away the rain. Light rain fell but not enough to even get our gear wet, and soon we were ahead of the cloud.
Our route took us straight through the middle of Missouri from West to East. Here there are rolling hills and very green fields, due to all the rain and recent flooding.
We stopped for lunch in Warrensburg, where University of Central Missouri is located. A funny elderly man came by to talk to us and tried to convince Michele that he was from a town called Tightwad, pointing to the name on his cap. We will have to Google that one.
Back on the bike, the rain cloud had grown and intensified.
After a few hours, we stopped in Rosebud, Missouri for a gas break. We didn’t realize there were such things as turkey coops, but they apparently are sold in abundance here.
Rob also noticed the roads were curiously lacking in names, instead just using letters of the alphabet.
Traffic really picked up in the late afternoon as we approached St. Louis. Soon enough we were in front of the Arch!
We walked along the park area and down underneath to the museum. Security was pretty tight, and Michele got her boots patted down. Everyone else in St. Louis seemed to be here as well, so we skipped the ride up and the movie, and walked through the museum.
The river was really high, evident here by the handrail that leads right into it. The carriage horses didn’t seem to care, though.
We headed Illinois-bound for our hotel, about 10 miles away in Fairview Heights. We escaped the rain while riding today and are bunked in for the night. Tomorrow we head to Ohio, and expect the temps will start to warm up for us.
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