June 12 - Higginsville to Arrow Rock State Park (55 mi.)

I woke up at 6:30 AM after a pretty restful night. It was storming as had been forecast the night before. The morning forecast was for the rain to let up around noon. By 9:00 AM it had stopped raining where I was and it looked like I could get some riding in so I left the motel, has a quick breakfast at McDs and purchased some clear safety glasses from a Walmart next door. I like to wear some form of eye protection for safety because occasionally an oncomming vehicle will kick something up. My sunglasses make ut a little hard to see clearly on an overcast day.
As I made my way through Higginsville I came upon this nice mural.
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Not far out of town there was a house with large piles of chopped wood stacked around the trees. I don't recall ever seeing this and wonder if there is a reason other than for landscape.
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I stopped jn Alma, MO for a short break and reached Marshall, MO at 1:00 PM as it was beginning to rain. I sat out a light rain shower while eating lunch at a Chinese restaurant. With the rain gone and the forecast showing another two hour window, I took off a little after 2:00 PM for the final 17 miles to Arrow Rock SP stopping for a short break in Hardeman, MO. I made the town of Arrow Rock by 4:00 PM. The town has a population of 75 most of who appear to be in the antique, B&B or tourism business. It's a really cute town with very friendly people.
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I was able get to the park visitor center before it closed. Very nice displays of Indian artifacts and settlement history. This general area was known as Boone's Lick after the salt lick started by Daniel Boone and his sons.
Pics
Though overcast all day, I enjoyed the ride. Cycling on lightly traveled state highways where the grade of the hills was a factor during consruction was easier that the county roads I had been riding the last couple of days. I also didn't have as far to go which combined for a very relaxing day.
Barn quilt pic
I arrived at the park around 5:00 PM and was helped by the campground host in selecting a suitable camp site. He is a 35 year Independence, MO retired firefighter. I had cellphone coverage and checked in with Susi. While eating my dinner an adjadent camping couple from North Carolina came over to ask about my ride. He has cycled extensively on the various canal towpaths in the east and highly recommended them. I'll add this to my list. They were pulling a nicer new, moderately sized trailer with a Chevy Tahoe. This looked like a pretty good setup. They were headed to all of the national parks in the west. He is a fly fisherman and plans to be doing a lot of that. They are also going on a 5 day guided float trip on the Snake River. What a spectacular summer they have planned.
Anyway, I'm settled in and ready to listen to some Jackson Browne and Don Henley before calling it a night. I will be on the Katy Trail by noon tomorrow.
Camp pic