Friday, October 25, 2013
On Friday, we left the house at 1:07pm. Cindy had a half-day of school and Eric took off work early. Everything was loaded in the trailer and ready. :) We were very excited to take our first multi-day motorcycle trip.
When we left, it was 47 degrees. We took Hwy 60/63 all the way to Thayer. We then turned north on Hwy 19....the main attraction. Near Alton (at 3pm), we saw four bald eagles and a young buck who was strolling across the highway RIGHT IN FRONT of the motorcycle. Had to slam on the brakes to avoid him. Just past Alton, we stopped and took a photo of Greer Mill, which was right along the highway. We would like to come back to the 11-Point River Area for hiking and floating.
We continued on to Winona, where Hwy 19 merges with Hwy 60 for a mile or so. We continued north on Hwy 19 to Eminence, where we tried to reserve a bed and breakfast but they were all booked up. We went to Alley Spring and took photos, although we couldn't stay long because we were losing daylight and had a long way to go to Rolla.
We took Hwy 19 to Salem, then Hwy 72 to Rolla. We made it safely to Drury Inn at 7:30pm, but just missed the free cocktails :). We ate dinner next door at Steak N Shake, then crawled into bed.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
On Saturday, we ate breakfast at Drury Inn, then bundled up and headed out. It was another cold morning, around 40 degrees. We rode up to St. James on Hwy 44, then took Hwy 68/8 south to Maramec Spring Park. There was a $5 entrance fee because it is not a state park, but it was WELL WORTH the money. There is an old ironworks, fish hatchery, a beautiful powerhouse, and the spring itself. We took tons of pictures and then headed on south.
We took Hwy 68 all the way back to Salem so that we could see all of Hwy 19. Once there, we headed north to Steelville then took Hwy 8 east to Potosi. Upon arriving in town, we could hear the Potosi Marching Festival in the distance. We ate lunch at Boo's Market and Grill. (Best ranch dressing ever.) Eric had wings and Cindy had a steak sandwich.
Our next stop was Onondaga State Park. We took Hwy 185 (our favorite stretch of the whole trip) until we turned off on Hwy N. Hwy N had lots of "tree tunnel" but the road quality was poor in comparison to Hwy 185. We went all the way to Hwy 44 to Bourbon, west for a few miles to the Onondaga exit, then a short drive south to Onondaga State Park. We did not have time for the cave, but took a short tour around the campground. There were TONS of families with campsites and campers completely decked out for Halloween. We stopped and asked a guy about it, and he said that the campground has a contest and people go all out. We backtracked to Cuba on Hwy 44, then headed north on Hwy 19 again.
We rode through Owensville all the way to Hermann. Wish we could have had more time to sight-see in Hermann, but daylight was going quickly again. Next time, we hope to stay in Hermann, but everything was booked due to Octoberfest and Mizzou Homecoming. After crossing the river and going a short distance on 19, we headed west on Hwy 94 along the Missouri River, then north on Hwy D (which sucked) to Hwy 70. Next time, just take Hwy 19 all the way to the interstate. We took Hwy 70 (BLUSTERY) on to Booneville, arriving around 6:30pm. Got checked into the High Street Victorian B&B and ate dinner at The Palace (smoking....yuck) a block away. Food was undercooked and we had to send it back twice. Other than that, it was......acceptable. Back to the hotel where Cindy fell asleep and Eric watched Mizzou lose in triple overtime on the iPad. The B&B was very nice and would stay there again, but it had no TV and a shared restroom.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Early Sunday morning, we got up before dawn and walked across the Booneville bridge (KATY trail). It was 36 degrees....brr! The bike was covered in frost. It was our coldest ride to date, but we were warm with our heated gear. Breakfast was a bit delayed - didn't eat until 8:30am. We left around 9am and had a quick stop at the Warm Springs Farm, home to the Budweiser Clydesdales. After some photos, we headed on to Mizzou, where we met Corey around 10:15am. We walked to the bookstore, then to Panera Bread (too crowded), then to Chipotle. After lunch, we headed back to Corey's dorm where we said our goodbyes and hit the road for home. Once in Camdenton, we continued on Hwy 54 to 65 to avoid the interstate and it was a great choice. Beautiful ride on 54. Got back around 3:30pm, although Eric was sleepy due to sun-in-the-face and a need for a nap (which we didn't take). Got home and started the chores. Ready to go again!
Ride Info:
Friday Starting Mileage 70777
Saturday Starting Mileage 71059
Sunday Ending mileage 71621
Total miles 844
Friday
Click for Route Link
Saturday
Click for Route Link
On Friday, we left the house at 1:07pm. Cindy had a half-day of school and Eric took off work early. Everything was loaded in the trailer and ready. :) We were very excited to take our first multi-day motorcycle trip.
When we left, it was 47 degrees. We took Hwy 60/63 all the way to Thayer. We then turned north on Hwy 19....the main attraction. Near Alton (at 3pm), we saw four bald eagles and a young buck who was strolling across the highway RIGHT IN FRONT of the motorcycle. Had to slam on the brakes to avoid him. Just past Alton, we stopped and took a photo of Greer Mill, which was right along the highway. We would like to come back to the 11-Point River Area for hiking and floating.
We continued on to Winona, where Hwy 19 merges with Hwy 60 for a mile or so. We continued north on Hwy 19 to Eminence, where we tried to reserve a bed and breakfast but they were all booked up. We went to Alley Spring and took photos, although we couldn't stay long because we were losing daylight and had a long way to go to Rolla.
We took Hwy 19 to Salem, then Hwy 72 to Rolla. We made it safely to Drury Inn at 7:30pm, but just missed the free cocktails :). We ate dinner next door at Steak N Shake, then crawled into bed.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
On Saturday, we ate breakfast at Drury Inn, then bundled up and headed out. It was another cold morning, around 40 degrees. We rode up to St. James on Hwy 44, then took Hwy 68/8 south to Maramec Spring Park. There was a $5 entrance fee because it is not a state park, but it was WELL WORTH the money. There is an old ironworks, fish hatchery, a beautiful powerhouse, and the spring itself. We took tons of pictures and then headed on south.
We took Hwy 68 all the way back to Salem so that we could see all of Hwy 19. Once there, we headed north to Steelville then took Hwy 8 east to Potosi. Upon arriving in town, we could hear the Potosi Marching Festival in the distance. We ate lunch at Boo's Market and Grill. (Best ranch dressing ever.) Eric had wings and Cindy had a steak sandwich.
Our next stop was Onondaga State Park. We took Hwy 185 (our favorite stretch of the whole trip) until we turned off on Hwy N. Hwy N had lots of "tree tunnel" but the road quality was poor in comparison to Hwy 185. We went all the way to Hwy 44 to Bourbon, west for a few miles to the Onondaga exit, then a short drive south to Onondaga State Park. We did not have time for the cave, but took a short tour around the campground. There were TONS of families with campsites and campers completely decked out for Halloween. We stopped and asked a guy about it, and he said that the campground has a contest and people go all out. We backtracked to Cuba on Hwy 44, then headed north on Hwy 19 again.
We rode through Owensville all the way to Hermann. Wish we could have had more time to sight-see in Hermann, but daylight was going quickly again. Next time, we hope to stay in Hermann, but everything was booked due to Octoberfest and Mizzou Homecoming. After crossing the river and going a short distance on 19, we headed west on Hwy 94 along the Missouri River, then north on Hwy D (which sucked) to Hwy 70. Next time, just take Hwy 19 all the way to the interstate. We took Hwy 70 (BLUSTERY) on to Booneville, arriving around 6:30pm. Got checked into the High Street Victorian B&B and ate dinner at The Palace (smoking....yuck) a block away. Food was undercooked and we had to send it back twice. Other than that, it was......acceptable. Back to the hotel where Cindy fell asleep and Eric watched Mizzou lose in triple overtime on the iPad. The B&B was very nice and would stay there again, but it had no TV and a shared restroom.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Early Sunday morning, we got up before dawn and walked across the Booneville bridge (KATY trail). It was 36 degrees....brr! The bike was covered in frost. It was our coldest ride to date, but we were warm with our heated gear. Breakfast was a bit delayed - didn't eat until 8:30am. We left around 9am and had a quick stop at the Warm Springs Farm, home to the Budweiser Clydesdales. After some photos, we headed on to Mizzou, where we met Corey around 10:15am. We walked to the bookstore, then to Panera Bread (too crowded), then to Chipotle. After lunch, we headed back to Corey's dorm where we said our goodbyes and hit the road for home. Once in Camdenton, we continued on Hwy 54 to 65 to avoid the interstate and it was a great choice. Beautiful ride on 54. Got back around 3:30pm, although Eric was sleepy due to sun-in-the-face and a need for a nap (which we didn't take). Got home and started the chores. Ready to go again!
Ride Info:
Friday Starting Mileage 70777
Saturday Starting Mileage 71059
Sunday Ending mileage 71621
Total miles 844
Friday
Click for Route Link
Click for Route Link
