Joplin

1. Hackett Hot Wings
2. Magic Noodle
3. Pizza by Stout
4. Bella Peppers
5. Red Onion

Really, the only one that surprised me was Magic Noodle. Not because it isn’t great (it is!) but because I can’t recall it ever being even slightly crowded. The other four are obvious favorites of just about everyone I know. It seems like half the people I know would list “Red Onion” as their favorite Joplin eatery. In fact Steph and I are going there tonight!

Another of my favorites that didn’t make the top 5, but was fairly high on the list was Andy + Bridgette’s favorite – UnderCliff. Ichiban Sushi was just shy of the top 5 as well. I was surprised that Big R’s BBQ wasn’t anywhere on the list. That place is great and it’s always packed!

What I found interesting, though not hugely surprising was that one of my long time favorites, Club 609 was way down the list, 2 slots below the Dairy Queen / Orange Julius booth at the mall. The biggest common complaint was that the prices have gone up so much in recent years that they far exceeded the food, service and overall experience. Which I would probably have to agree with.

Overall the list was just a reminder that we have a lot of really great dining options in Joplin.

I rode from my house up Old 66 and got on the trail where it crosses the road just before Steph’s parent’s house. I wasn’t sure which direction to go, so I chose east into Carthage. The gravel on the 2 mile section from Carthage is extremely coarse, more like driveway gravel than something suitable for a bike trail. It was rideable…but barely. I heard that there was a mis-communication when the gravel was ordered. The trail going west toward Oronogo is the correct small gravel normally found on bike trails.

It turned out to be a bit shorter than I expected, my entire trip was only 11.5 miles. Most of the trail crosses through farm land, so I wouldn’t describe it as terribly scenic, but nearing Carthage there is a nice canopy of trees shading the trail. Also this section appears to receive heavier use, so it was a bit more worn and the rough driveway gravel was less annoying.

When complete, the Ruby Jack trail will ultimately run from Carthage to the KS state line. Initially it was planned as a bi-state trail all the way to Columbus, KS. However, Cherokee County passed an ordinance in response to those plans that effectively prohibits the rail-trail from entering Kansas. So until the good people of Cherokee County overcome their fear of bikers and joggers, the trail will stop at the state line.

Rough gravel aside, I am really excited about this trail. I think it’s a great asset to the area and another excellent component of the ever expanding trail system in the Joplin area.

I remember liking this stretch of highway even when I was a kid, long before I knew I would reside here. As luck would have it, I now travel this route constantly to get into town (Carthage) and also because Steph’s parents live about 3 miles up this way.

I like living on historic route 66. Most of the road itself isn’t anything special, but it represents an idea of nostalgia. Once a major thoroughfare, now it’s just an out of the way back road. But it’s famous and I think it’s cool having an address that is “Old Route 66″.

I had trouble finding the trail head because there really isn’t much info online about the trail or where it is located. The trail is very short, in fact it was less than 2 miles roundtrip, but it’s also still under construction. So if you are looking to spend more than 15 minutes on the trail you might be better off walking.

Here is the trail head – it’s on Allen Street in CJ between Summit and Main. It’s a rather awkward lot and would be problematic for more than 2 or 3 cars.

It’s a typical rail-to-trail setup…nice level grade with gravel.

The Center Creek bridge is certainly the highlight of the trail. I am told it is the longest non-car bridge in the state, but who knows if that’s true. Either way, it’s about 400′ long and fun to ride across.

The section crossing the river utilizes the original railroad supports.

The bridge is a nice spot to stand and enjoy the view of the river. And in this case the fall foliage and nice weather!

Currently the trail ends just past the bridge at Briarbrook Drive, but as you can see construction has started to continue the trail further south.

A nice opening along the trail as I was heading back to the trail head. This would have probably been a nice spot to view the tornado a few years ago!

Lakeside Park near Carterville, approximately 100 years ago.

This place has always fascinated me and I like to walk around and imagine what it was like back in the day. Sometime I should take copies of the old postcards and try to take photos from the exact same angles… another day I suppose.

Here is an old post card. This is cool because at least part of all 3 structures are still around today. The arched bridge, the supports for the bath house, and parts of the dam.

This bridge is long gone but the support posts are still around – however I didn’t get a pic.

This used to be the low dam that held back the small “lake”. People would walk across here and get their feet wet. I have concluded that the roller coaster was located to the southeast of the dam – so it would be in this photo if still standing.

Another random old wall further downstream. I think it’s cool to imagine the people constructing this wall around the turn of the previous century. For decades this place was full of people and good times. Now there is only the sound of the river and the birds.

Lindsay, me, and Kim

I had a great time just mingling among friends, family, and random people who were out enjoying the evening and checking out some art in the process. Definitely a fun thing, and I hope to be able to do it again in the future!! The only problem was that in all the excitement I forgot to take any photos once the event got rolling. Luckily this one was snapped when Lindsay and Kim stopped by right before things started.

Downtown Joplin in all it's splendor.

I will be sharing a space with Jason Shelfer at 515 S. Main and I think his wife may do some light catering of the event. So I have been very busy the last few days getting my stuff ready for my first official ’show’ here in Joplin. I think i’ll have about 15 of my favs nicely framed and on display. It’s totally last minute so our gallery may not be as fancy as some of the others, but I am sure our works will not disappoint!

Anyways, I hope everyone comes out and stops by!

Mom is an über-cool biker.

Here are a few reasons I think you should do it:

• Riding bikes is fun!
• Proceeds go to the construction of new area trails!
• Those are really the main two reasons I can think of.

There are routes for riders of all abilities… anywhere from 15mi for the casual rider up to 100 miles for the people with legs of steel and $6000 bikes. Mom and dad did the 35mile route and thoroughly enjoyed it. I like the 70-80ish mile routes. Regardless of which route you choose, it’s lots of fun to get out and support area trail projects!

Here is the website with all the info and online registration:
http://www.carthagemapleleafride.com/

Me enjoying some phở at Marian Days

I am a big fan of Phở. Not sure what all is in it… probably best not to ask. Last year I had Phở Gà, this year I went with the chín (beef) version. It was splendid and very herbally, maybe from the fresh cilantro, basil, sprouts and jalapenos. Either way, I’m all about the Phở.

I think some of my friends, such as Grant would like eating at Marian Days. Colby on the other hand, would probably not.

Here is the stand where I got some Mango Boba… which was splendid. Across the way was a fruit stand selling all kinds of weird things including Jackfruit and my favorite, Lychee.

I am not sure what was going on here, but this event is actually a catholic gathering. It was pretty cool.

After the candle march they had some songs and stuff, maybe a mass or worship service. I will admit I am fairly ignorant on the ways of Catholicism.

I am hopefully that with two distance rides under my belt and 230 miserable miles on the Katy Trail I will be a little more prepared this year. For those who don’t know, the TA110 is a bike ride in Joplin that offers bikers (sorry… cyclists) a choice of routes ranging from 35 miles to 110 miles with nice rest stops along the way…crossing through potentially all of the “4 states”. Last year I naively chose the 77 mile route and I signed up for the same this year.

I highly encourage everyone to come out and ride. I am proof that you don’t have to be an expert or have a fancy bike to have a great time.

Click here for a recap of last year’s excitement…