Another long, hot, challenging day today. The hills got steeper and longer. I spent at least half my day going 3-4 miles an hour going up hills. Then screaming down the other side at more than 30 mph only to immediately drop back down to 3-4 mph and start climbing again. I quit shifting and just stayed in my lowest gear. A couple of times my speed fell to below 3 mph due to the steep hills. It's difficult to keep a bike upright and going in a straight line at that speed:)
Pic below of an old General Store in the Eunice community. I'm sure at one time that would be where all the news was spread locally.
Early start and another pretty sunrise.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is truly a very scenic bicycle ride. The only problem riding there this time of year is that there are canoe rental businesses along that stretch. That means there are many decommissioned buses and older 15 passenger vans pulling a couple of canoe trailers tearing up and down these small, hilly, curvy, 2 lane, no shoulder roads. They seem to always be driving like they're headed to an emergency. You have to really watch out for them and get out of the way best you can.
On a side note - Speaking of canoe transport drivers, my family decided to take a canoe trip a couple of years ago. We boarded a decommissioned Department of Corrections litter pickup bus anxiously awaiting the fun ahead of us in the river. The driver decided we needed to get to the dropoff really fast, and we were on a 2 lane narrow road. It felt like the bus's suspension and/or steering was very loose. From watching the driver, she looked as though she really had to work the steering to keep the bus in her lane, but that didn't slow her down. I was already thinking to myself, "So this is the way it ends? In a rickety old litter bus rolled over in a ditch going to a canoe trip. Bummer." Fortunately, we made it and had a good time. I'm surprised there are not more accidents involving canoe transport vans, buses, and trucks.
I made it to Johnson's Shut Ins State Park at about 7 p.m. The campground host told me someone left today a day early and I could have that site. I was not charged for the site because the previous camper had paid for tonight and told the host to give it to someone who comes in.
When I arrived at the site, I learned why the previous camper probably left early. A neighboring camper had a stereo turned up loud with what sounded like acid rock on and the sound was reverberating through the otherwise serene, beautiful forest. So much for enjoying the great outdoors. The campground host told them to turn the music down and they actually turned it off. Ahhh, now I could actually hear the birds again. Even though the campers were still talking very loud, the hosts told me the park had quiet hours starting at 10 p.m. Well, that only applies to folks that actually follow rules. At 11:30 p.m. the campers were still outside carrying on loud conversations with each other using extremely foul language. The sad part of this whole story is that these were not just a bunch of rowdy youth, it was a father, mother and their young teenage kids. I could tell from their conversations (everyone could hear them) that the dad was the "cool, fun dad" to be around. I was laying in my tent thinking the dad needed to be a dad to those kids instead of their friend, and teach them a little about being thoughtful and considerate to others and following rules. Anyway, they went to bed shortly after 11:30 p.m. and the rest of the night was very peaceful.
Hopefully, this blog entry doesn't just sound like just a gripe session. It was still a very enjoyable, challenging, adventurous day.
Total miles today: 101.3
I still love your small town adventures and how most people are friendly and helpful. The sunset pic is gorgeous.
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