Sept. 21, 2020 - Pilot Grove to Hartsburg, MO

Tobey’s ankle and toe were still swollen this morning so he iced it again before they took off about 8:15 today. Last night we weren’t sure he would be able to put weight on it, but he seemed okay. Once they got their Ride with GPS settings ready, they were off.Between Pilot Grove and Booneville is supposed to be the most difficult of the trail. It must have been difficult because all of these riders were just bones – not even any skin! This house was all decorated and Tobey said they even had a port-a-potty for bikers along the trail!They said it did have some steep grades, but they managed it fine!This old “lift” bridge over the Missouri River is unique in that the middle section raises up in one section parallel to the water, where a drawbridge splits in the middle and each side raises at 45 degree angles. The original bridge was built in 1874 and  was replaced with this one in 1932. It was the longest lift span bridge in the US when it was built. The bridge is now slated for demolition. Phil is on the pedestrian trail on the new bridge.Marcia and I didn’t meet them in Booneville. Instead, we refueled the RVs ($1.75 per gallon!!!) and got groceries before continuing on to the Rocheport Trailhead. We were on I-70 for a short distance then crossed the bridge over the Missouri on this bridge – and Marcia hates bridges! Lucky for us it was wide.On the way into the Rocheport trailhead, we went by some beautiful homes and even a vineyard! We had heard a bridge was out near Booneville on the trail and sure enough, it was.Several people we talked to said they could just walk their bikes across, but they went ahead and took the detour. Afterwards, they wished they had walked! The detour was on the highway and the roads were hilly (we already knew this!) and not very good! They wished they would have just walked across on the right hand side of the bridge where it was dry!At Rocheport Marcia and I walked with Penny from the trailhead to the MKT Tunnel and back, and then opposite direction on trail, more than a mile. Because of the detour, Tobey missed the tunnel so he had to ride back to see it!There was a pretty neat “River Gnome” carving near the trail, too!They had a short break at Rocheport before heading off to McBaine where we were meeting Amy, a member of our church who is working on her master’s degree at University of Missouri in Columbia. Phil is a retired forester so they stopped at this huge 300 year old burr oak tree on their way in. We had a nice visit with Amy, then she headed back to Columbia while the guys took a break since they had already ridden over 35 miles. Farmland and grain storage facilities were along the trail, as well as a field of sunflowers.A little further down the trail they passed “Boathenge”!Marcia and I made our way to Hartsburg. It’s a pretty little town and very quiet. We stayed at the trailhead parking again. Just a short walk from the parking was a UCC Church that was established in 1894. It was open and we went in to take a look. Very simple, but peaceful.Just about 5pm, Tobey and Phil rode in to the camp after riding 54.3 miles. We relaxed in the shade of the RV before dinner and a game of Rummikub. Penny and I took a long walk before bed and spotted four frogs along the sidewalk and trail! Tomorrow they are off to Mokane.