In July 1998 I biked from Olathe KS as the sun arose, to the Katy Trail start, spending my first night on the first trail bench I came upon.

   Sunset at Sedalia, still miles from the trail head.

   A ground floor room with single bed, no reservation required.

   Had a pinch flat, but didn't need the spare tire which I now carry. The nights are noisy and the mornings are dew laden. The second day has dawned.

Breakfast at the first town and trying to dry out the morning dew.

   Dusk of the second day.

   Second night the mosquitoes reigned and distant lightening triggered me to do some night riding to the nearest bridge for rain shelter but no rain came.

   Breakfast stop above and water stop below. Unfortunately, physical fitness declined in the winter of 1997-8 and now a major effort and moderate success.

   I watched for hours but saw no falling rocks.

   Nice scenery triggering imagery of the present and the past.

   Spent third night at a controlled site of past contamination. Then the fourth day I arrived at this work of art that I set out to see. This is the Mississippi River north of its juncture with the Missouri River.

 
 

I found the Amtrak station and was surprised to find that my train was due in a half hour, just enough time for me to clean up. Then it took me into the wee hours of the morning to trek back to Olathe.