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Oklahoma #15

October 8-10, 2016 – 101 miles

We love it when we find a campground right on the trail we plan to ride. This was one of those times. We just had to open a gate at the back of campground and we were on the trail. Oklahoma City River Trail was a nice surprise. Beautiful views of the city, rowers on the river, passed the stockyard and not crowded at all. Oklahoma City has a gem of a trail.

Lake Hefner Trail took us around the lake and across a large causeway. Saw large flocks of Great Egrets. I thought they looked like pelicans.

Rode Katy Trail (Tulsa) from Sand Springs and West River Trail in Tulsa. Got pretty much lost in Tulsa but had a nice tour of the city. It was worth the trouble. It was one of the nicest trails we’ve ridden. Hooray for Tulsa! Saw a large flock of Blue Herons from trail. Route 66 statues were at start of trail.

Oklahoma City River Trail
Lake Hefner Trails/Hefner Overholser Trail
Katy Trail (Tulsa)/West River Trail

New Mexico #14

September 30 – October 4, 2016 – 101 Miles

Rainy and cold in Flagstaff so we decided to head for New Mexico. Stopped in Winslow, Arizona on our way. Such a fine place to be!

Most of our riding was going to be in the Albuquerque area. We were surprised to find that the Balloon Fiesta was just starting the day we arrived. It was an awesome site. No camping close to town so we went to a Corp of Engineers campground several miles north of Albuquerque.

We picked up a map at a local bike shop and there were many trails to choose in the area. Some we had researched in advance. The Bosque was our favorite.

From Albuquerque we headed for Santa Fe and spent an evening with our new friends Mary and Jerry. Then it was on to Chama, NM to visit Jimmy, our long time 4-wheeling friend. Great to see his ranch in the mountains. We left Chama on October 6, our 43rd Wedding Anniversary. YAY!!

Paseo del Bosque Trail
Paseo del Norte/North Division Trail
Paseo de las Montanas/Embudo Rec. Trail
Tramway Trail
Santa Fe Trail

Utah #13

September 22 – 27, 2016 – 106 miles

Arrived in Moab after spending night in Council Bluffs, Colorado. Watched Buckeyes beat Oklahoma 45 -24. YAY! Especially fun because my sister, Sherry was with us.

Rented a Jeep (orange) for a few days to do some 4-wheeling. Flo did well bouncing around in the back seat. We saw some beautiful country and Steve always found the best places for lunch. It was so good to see our old friends and make some new friends.

California friend, Debbie – dinner at the SPOKE in Moab.

Last morning at Portal campground in Moab. Best friends Steve and Debbie Adams.

After three days of 4-wheeling it was time to do some biking. Moab Canyon trail is not only steep but the day we rode it was windy and hot. Lots of work on the way out but what a thrill coming back.

This was the only shade on the Moab Canyon Trail.

Candy Mountain Express Trail
Hotel rooms in train car.

We were able to ride from our campsite all the way to Inspiration Point in Bryce Canyon. We worked very hard getting our miles in Utah.

Moab Canyon Trail
Candy Mountain Express
Bryce Canyon
Red Canyon

Iowa #12

September 12 – 15, 2016 – 101 miles

Flo’s friends, watching traffic on the Mississippi.

We feel this is the beginning of “living our dream”. We are both retired and heading for Utah to play in Moab with our California friends. Along the way we will be chalking up the miles.

I had read about the High Trestle Trail and it was on my must do list. We were not disappointed. Did not have opportunity to see trestle lit up at night but it was an awesome site during the day and a thrill to cross.

Trestle over Des Moines River, a half mile long and 130 feet above the river.

High Trestle Trail

Riverfront Trail – Mississippi River
Neil Smith Trail – Saylorville Lake
High Trestle Trail – from Woodward
Wabash Trace Nature Trail – from Shenandoah

Missouri #11

April 11 – 14, 2016 – 103 miles

We made a trip to visit our son at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and rode our 100 miles on the same trip. Road most of the miles on Katy Trail following the Missouri River and part of the Lewis and Clark Trail. We were able to find a campsite on the trail. The Missouri River was out our front window and the Katy Trail was directly behind us. Not the Ritz, the people there called it the “Hillbilly Riviera”. Chain of Lakes Bridge crossed Mississippi from Illinois to Missouri and onto St. Louis Riverview trail.

Katy Trail
Chain or Rocks Bridge
St. Louis Riverview