A better yodeling contest

Jacks Fork - Kevin
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

Here I am stopped in the kayak in the shadow of a bluff on the Kacks Fork. The upper and lower stretches of our float were quite scenic, but the middle section is not federally protected, and was filled with the sights and sounds of construction equipment replacing trees with campgrounds, as well as a throng or two of persons from those campgrounds. We paddled through those areas pretty quick.

Jon was far ahead on the kayak, which could go faster if you had the energy, and was of course far more maneuverable than the canoe. A woman by one of the campgrounds asked Karen and me "Are you children having a good time?" I didn't know how to respond to being called a "child". "Kid" I would have understood.

Jacks Fork - Karen and Jon
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

Here's a closeup shot I got of Karen and Jon, but not before they both got their sunglasses on.

Jacks Fork River
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

Yesterday, Karen B., Jon M., and I travelled many miles to float on the Jacks Fork river. We left shortly after 6 in the morning, fresh and ready to go, and returned around 11 tired, sunburned, and sore.

Since there were three of us, we rented a canoe and a kayak, and rotated positions so everyone could try out the kayak. Here's Jon and Karen early in the float.

Turtle (May 28, 2005)
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

Here's a closeup of that common snapping turtle. He turned to keep at least one eye on me, probably because he doesn't want to become soup any time soon!

Turtle and bicycle (May 28, 2005)
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

I saw a family on the way to the arena stopped to look at this turtle, so I had to take a look, too.

Standing logs (May 28, 2005)
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

This is a quick break from Katy tour posts for some shots I took on my ride yesterday.

I'm not sure what to call this terrain. For about 3 miles between St Charles and Weldon Springs on the Katy Trail, there is a section that looks like it was once forest, that has now been flooded. The trunks of the trees still stand there, dead and branchless.

Camp site just after setting up Saturday night
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

Here's the camp site I set up that night in the dark! I was pretty tired at that point, but my bicycle still looks pretty new and shiny.

Summary of first day's ride:

• Saturday, August 28
• Ride 1:15-9:15
• Elapsed time: 8:00
• Cycling time: 6:23:24
• Ride: St. Charles (~40) to Bluffton (~111)
• Signed distance: 71 mi
• Computer distance: 72.98 mi
• Avg speed: 11.4 mph
• Max speed: 24.0 mph down first hill to Katy Trail
• Odometer: 1980.4

The trail is dark
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

It got dark in a hurry. This section of the trail was pretty rough, with several large branches down over the path. It was obviously not safe on the trail, so I rode a few miles down on 94, which is adjacent on this stretch. It was much brighter and safer. As I recall, I was lucky and took the last connecting road back to the trail before the campground.

Here's facing east, a gorgeous view. The next place on the trail to stay is in Bluffton, about 18 miles away, and that sun is starting to look pretty low for a loaded bicycle tourist. Could I make it before dark?

Katy Trail mile 93, looking east
Originally uploaded by Kevin Saff.

I stopped at this scenic outlook over the Missouri river to finish my sandwich. Here I'm looking back east, and maybe you can tell from the sky why I was so worried about rain. I shouldn't have been, though, because in the end I didn't get a single drop all trip.