Katy Trail – Nomadic Noesis

On Today’s Bike Ride: Unexpected Reward

Sign by trail "Welcome to Hindman Junction, where the MKT Trail meets Katy Trail State Park."

This morning, the spouse and I rode our bicycles out to where the MKT Trail and Katy Trail meet, otherwise known as Hindman Junction, after a former mayor who played a large role in getting the trails system developed.

I had been considering turning around at an earlier point, but the bench I had in mind was occupied. We did stop there for a couple of minutes because one of the two occupants was a coworker of mine. So we chatted briefly and pressed on.

And as an unexpected reward for our efforts, nature treated us to mulberries. Some were even ripe enough to eat.

Those and the cereal bar I packed along fueled me up for the return journey. Don’t worry. We left plenty of berries for other travelers.

On Today’s Bike Ride: Hello Little Skink

Today I told my husband I was going on a short bike ride and then didn’t come back for three hours. I didn’t know how much activity I could manage because I woke up with allergy symptoms and a headache. But thanks to OTC medicines and suddenly mild weather, I felt pretty good after I’d been pedaling a short while.

I felt so good, I kept going and made a half day of it, stopping occasionally for water/snack/photo breaks. In fact, I set a new personal record for miles ridden in one day with a 24-mile round trip.

Freida and I made a friend along the way.

Five-lined skink curved in a u-shape on some cement. — Skink investigating.

Skink on rock stretching its head toward a bicycle water bottle on a bike frame. — Skink investigating.

Curious five-lined skink gets to know Freida

In my quest to have new experiences, I explored a part of the Katy Trail I’d never been down before. It was a lovely, mostly level, mostly shady stretch.

Wooden shelter over benches with sign reading "McBaine, MO" — Trailhead / reststop on the Katy Trail

Signpost surrounded by brush with words "Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area" — Trailhead / reststop on the Katy Trail

One highlight was when I saw a couple of eagles flying circles in the sky. But I only had my phone camera and couldn’t capture an image.

For many years, I never had the time for this kind of excursion, certainly not to be made on the spur of the moment. I try not to take it for granted.

Happy trails!