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″.

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.

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.

It was a brilliant idea in theory but still has a few kinks to work out. The main issue being that in it’s current form, the cartcycle can’t turn without falling over. Which is to be expected on a bike that has 5 wheels, 2 of which are fixed in the center and the two leading wheels twirl around like drunken sailors with complete disregard to which direction the ship is headed.

I can’t wait for the steering to be perfected so I can document the cartcycle being used to it’s full potential and I am fairly confident that Jason will soon become well known around Carthage as “that guy that rides a shopping cart”.

PS – At Jason’s request I will conduct a poll on whether or not my readers would like more posts about his strange contraptions and/or activities in the future. Since I am too lazy to install a poll plugin tonight, please just leave comments to indicate your preference!