Week Three

Breakfast in Oklahoma
Lunch in Kansas
Dinner in Missouri

Great breakfast with Betty and Carl; pancakes, peaches, and pork patties! Fond farewells, with a rich full day ahead.

Much of the first 30 some miles were North, and we had a tailwind.

In 1886, Afton was named by a Scottish railroad surveyor, after Robert Burns' poem "Afton Water."

Miami's size surprised us (much larger than expected). Many car dealerships and thriving businesses.

Commerce was another story. I rode through town on an older Route 66 alignment, and about 1/2 the buildings were abandoned. Mickey Mantle, one of America's greatest baseball players, grew up in Commerce during the 1930's and 1940's. The main street is named in his honor.

The region around Quapaw is a former lead and zinc mining area. There are mounds of "chat" (leftover mining debris) in the area.

The Route 66 signs in Kansas are very distinctive - a black "66" on a yellow sunflower. Compared to the variety of alignments found in other states, the path through Kansas is uncomplicated.

Kansas is the only state where Route 66 is not interfered with by the Interstate system, an absence that contributes to a more peaceful feeling. Although Kansas has just 13.2 miles of the Mother Road (and three towns) it is rich in Route 66 lore.

Baxter Springs was a key staging area for cattle being driven from Texas on the Shawnee Trail.

There used to be three Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridges in Kansas, but now only one remains. Built in 1923, designed by engineer James Barney Marsh, and is truly a gem of Route 66, especially after its restoration by the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association.

Second town is Riverton, which is the home to the KS Historic Route 66 Ass'n.

Third town in Galena, which also has "chat" piles from the Eagle Picher Plant. It has an MKT depot, too, (Missouri, Kansas, & Texas); a reminder that in a week we'll be following the KATY Trail.

Crossed into Missouri just outside Galena, and continued on into Joplin, population 48,000. Joplin calls itself "The Gateway to the Ozarks."

Turned off Route 66 heading to the home of Mary Ellen Baker, our hostess this evening. I spotted a dark vehicle behind me which looked suspicious, but no roof-top lights, siren, etc. I pulled over to the curb, stopped, and prepared to meet the gentleman walking towards me. I couldn't believe my eyes!!! It was Ted Hatfield (my Melchizedek from the ride in 2000)! He and his wonderful wife Lona and their sons Sean and Caleb had driven down from Lee's Summit MO to find us! Ted has a way of appearing out of the blue, just like Melchizedek in the Bible (Genesis 14: 18-20.) They had made some roadside signs saying "Melchizedek 1 Mile" and 'Melchizedek, Turn Right" which they unsuccessfully tried to put where I would find them while bicycling. They also planned to leave some "Road Change."

Charlotte elected to stay at Mary Ellen's to E-mail, wash clothes, and journal while the Hatfields and I went to a Braum's Ice Cream establishment. It was so great to see them, since it had been almost 4 years, when they appeared near Clinton LA!!

Fond farewells to the Hatfields, who had a 3 hour drive back to their home in Lee's Summit MO.

Dinner and visiting with Mary Ellen. Such a sweet lady to open her home and heart to us.

Hard to comprehend that we are into our third week "on the Mother Road." It has truly been a great "up close and personal look" at the world's most nostalgic highway.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-38 Marie-31.7
Road Change; none
Cumulative Route Miles: 837.7

With anticipation of four more days riding on Missouri Route 66,
Charlotte Reicks
Marie Nemec

Another great breakfast (pancakes with cherries in syrup, pork patties, and honey dew melon.) Are we getting spoiled or what?

On the road by 7:30 am but discovered we weren't on Route 66. So ... loaded up Charlotte and her bike, and drove back to where we should have been, and started again!

Passed through Webb City. Saw the "Praying Hands" sculpture flanked by two American flags. The words on the pedestal read "Hands in Prayer - World in Peace." Sculpture was erected in 1973.

The 15 mile stretch of Rooute 66 from Joplin to Carthage was the first section of paved road laid in Missouri. Originally named Route 14 and built to accommodate the heavy traffic created by zinc and lead mining in the area, it was incorporated into Route 66 after 1926.

Followed an old alignment of Route 66. Marie drove ahead and relayed pertinent information back to Charlotte via cell phone. Carthage was the site of a Missouri State Guard victory over Union forces in 1861. Belle Starr, the "Bandit Queen" was from Carthage. One of the few Drive Inn Theaters along Route 66 is located here.

A series of small towns dotted our maps: Avilla, Plew, Rescue, Phelps, Albatross, Heatonville, and Paris Springs. If the signs weren't along the roadside, we wouldn't have known there were "towns."

It was a real blessing to get on Missouri Hwy. 96 from Carthage towards Springfield. No place to get "lost." Halltown boasted a huge Coca Cola memorabilia shop, the largest in the Midwest. WWW.LBCOKE4U.COM

When Hwy 96 ended, we got on Hwy 266 into Joplin. Lots of ridges and valleys, down and then up along two mile stretches of hills.

Glad when we reached the outskirts of Springfield. Found 66 again pretty easily. I rode down Chestnut Expressway, then veered off on College, which later became St. Louis, and found the Best Western Rail Trail Route 66 motel quite easily. The Faith Lutheran Church is hosting us here.

Dinner in the room tonight, some planovers from Mary Ellen and salad mix.

Good chance to get caught up on my E-mails.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-42 Marie 38
Road Change: $.12
Cumulative Route Miles: 919

With love from the Mother Road, the world's most famous highway, which officially no longer exists,
Marie Nemec
Charlotte Reicks

After a continental breakfast in the lobby of the motel (great 50's motif), we headed East on Route 66. Passed Evangel University run by the Assemblies of God, whose headquarters is in Springfield.

Pretty easy riding early. We stopped in Marshfield to mail some photos home to Ron to post onto the website, and Pam Westman's ride T-shirt for winning the "turducken" contest. At Wal-Mart the customer service clerk shared that her former husband has HD, and that their adult children are in the testing process at the Center of Excellence in Sacramento. Gave her a ride brochure, and asked her to let me know the results.

Much of the route is parallel with the I-44 and also a railroad line. Spotted an older path, the so-called Wire Road, a rocky surface which held the telegraph poles that carried military communicationw between Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis and Ft. Smith, Arkansas. This 400 mile link pre-dated the transcontinental telegraph and was used extensively during the Civil War.

Passed the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon. It's one of the most distinctive landmarks on Route 66. The original late 1940's individual guest cabins were later joined together, creating a modern-style motel.

Route 66 between Lebanon and Waynesville is pretty hilly, not surprising because we are in the Ozarks. Lots of ups and downs. It was the most physically challenging day; had to walk up one hill. I think I could have made it had I not ridden up the prior 6 or 7.

Arrived safely in Waynesville, where we are being hosted at the United Methodist Church. After showers in the parsonage, we shared dinner with folks who are participating in the Alpha program, an introduction to the core beliefs of the Christian faith.

We discovered that the front tire on Charlotte's bike has a problem. There is rubber missing, about the size of a pencil eraser head. So ... we have to have another tire put on in Rolla tomorrow. Both of us brought spares, so it should work out fine.

Full moon tonight, so peaceful and cool. I think we'll sleep well tonight on the couches in the youth room.

With love from Route 66 as it winds and climbs its way through the Ozarks,

Charlotte Reicks
Marie Nemec

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-54 Marie-32
Road change: $.12
Cumulative Route miles: 1005.7

It was quite chilly (59 degrees) when I bicycled up out of Waynesville. Rode up about a two mile hill and continued to ride, across the I-44, and down into the "Devil's Elbow," a bend in the Big Piney River. The name was given by lumberjacks who had to clear the logjams that built up there. It's the original route, with many ups and downs. Rode through the "Hooker Cut," once one of the deepest rock cuts in the US.

I cut my riding short because we needed to get Charlotte's damaged front tire changed.

Drove past the entrance to Fort Leonard wood, the premier training facility for the U.S. Army. Established in 1940, it now occupies 63,000 acres. By far, it's the largest "business" in Central Missouri.

Drove on into Rolla, to the aptly named Route 66 Bike Shop. Dan, the owner, removed the faulty tire and installed the new tire Charlotte had brought along for a spare.

Decided to go back and ride some of the easier part of today's route. After that, we had lunch at a park in Rolla (elev. 1120). Rolla is on a natural passageway to SW Missouri midway between St. Louis and Springfield. We saw a sign that said, "Rolla - the middle of everywhere." It is home to the Univ. of Missouri at Rolla. In 1931, massive St. Patrick's Day celebration was held to mark the completion of concreting on 66 in Missouri. The guests included Cyrus Avery, the "Father of the Road."

On through St. James and Rosati, with vineyards alongside the I-44. Passed through Fanning, then on to Cuba. Cuba is re-inventing itself as "the city of murals." Passed the quaint Wagon Wheel Motel, with cottages made from rock.

Long day, but for Missouri mild weather.

Two more days on Route 66.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-28 Marie-31
Road Change: $.20
Cumulative Route miles: 1070

With love from 66 in Missouri (Beautiful verdant scenery, but too many miles near the I-44),

Marie Nemec
Charlotte Reicks

When we walked outside to start loading the van, we discovered that the right rear tire had gone totally flat during the night! Not to worry, though. Charlotte will ride first, while I deal with the tire, and I'll catch her later.

Called the church Pastor about 7:30 am, told him the situation, and he insisted on changing the tire. He jacked up the van, removed the tire, and then he drove me to the Town Country Tire Service Shop. The tire had a Phillips head screw stuck in it. The tire got repaired, aired up, and when it was time to pay, the owners decided to not charge us! The waiting area hads the neatest tables and chairs/couch. The tables were mosaic tiles with an authentic St. Louis Blues hockey logo, the chairs were royal blue naugahyde with gold piping, and the couch was royal blue heavy woven material; all had the St. Louis Blues logo!

Pastor put the tire back on the van, and soon thereafter I took off to catch up with Charlotte.

We met up on the outskirts of Sullivan. Sullivan was the birthplace of George Hearst (1820-1891), the father of the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst (who built the Hearst Castle on the Central California Coast). Started riding, through Sullivan and then Stanton, gateway to the famous Meramec Caverns. They are billed as the "Greatest Show Under the Earth."

Lots of hills today. I think I rode up about 8 miles of hills; very tiring. Changed to driving the van, and Charlotte (aka "The Energizer Bunny") started riding again.

Went through St. Clair and then crossed US Hwy 50. Ron and I live just 1/2 mile North of Hwy. 50 in Colorado - the same Transcontinental Hwy.

Rode another 10 miles of mostly up hills into Pacific. Ate lunch there, in a small park.

Charlotte wanted to ride the last leg, about 10 miles, so I lead and she followed. Knew we were close when we saw "Six Flags," a huge amusement park. I think Six Flags originally got its name from the six flags that flew over Texas (Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, The Confederacy, and the US).

Found the United Methodist Church with no problem. Huge facility.

Still on Route 66, but will ride to an earlier alignment on Manchester Road, dating from the 1920's and 1930's. Route 66 is covered over here in Eureka by the I-44.

Just one more day on the Mother Road. Kind of waxing poetic, with 19 days of memories, people, sights, sounds, and symbols of the past.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-40 Marie-20
Cumulative Route Miles: 1131
Road Change: $.04

With love from "The Mother Road,"
Charlotte Reicks
Marie Nemec

Got up super early to shower. We were out of the church by 7:00 am, checked our E-mails, then drove to the Route 66 State Park, a couple of miles farther East off I-44. It has its very own section of 66 within the park.

The park is for day use, with bicycling and hiking, but no camping. Saw a number of deer grazing, mostly this year's babies and yearlings. So pastoral. The museum didn't open until 9:00 am, and we couldn't wait.

Back to Eureka proper. I volunteered to ride the first leg; what a mistake! After just a mile and a half (just after a sign which said "Hidden Valley Ski Area") I knew I was in trouble. The route we'd selected doesn't show topography. It was very hilly, with no shoulder. I walked most of the way up, with cars whizzing by. Finally got up on top and it was nice riding.

Caught up with Charlotte and lead her into Kirkwood to the Concordia Lutheran Church. We are staying in the Youth Room, which has a claw foot bathtub painted in a Holstein cow pattern.

Met up with Peggy Cribbin, the Development Coordinator for the St. Louis Chapter. Offloaded the Hunt-Dis Phase II Memorial Quilt (so it can be hung in preparation for the Convention) and also a framed pen and ink drawing of "Rootie" by Jerry McClanahan. This was used as the basis for the design for the front of this year's ride T-shirt. Look for it at the NYA Auction at Convention. This is an original "Rootie" by his creator and is the only one he created.

Charlotte and I both wanted to continue riding 66, so after (you guessed it) 1/2 peanut butter and lettuce each, we headed South to Watson, which turns into Chippewa. Pretty serious traffic and hills. We were rewarded by stopping at a Route 66 institution Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. The shop was opened in 1941 by Ted Drewes Sr. Now it is run by Ted Jr. Many patrons were lined up; there was a mixture of locals and travelers. Their specialty is something called "concrete," similar to a Dairy Queen Blizzard, but we just had small cones.

Continued to ride towards downtown. We rode on Gravois for awhile, but also realized we needed to get back to Kirkwood to shower and get ready for dinner. So ... we started riding back on Gravois, but once it turned into Chippewa, we thought we could board an Eastbound bus, and put our bicycles on the rack on the front of the bus. Yes!!! Took the bus to within a mile of the church!

Dinner was prepared by Melinda Kavanaugh, the Social Worker for the Center of Excellence in St. Louis. She had been planning to ride the KATY Trail with us, but two untimely deaths in her family nixed that. Melinda grilled some wonderful Omaha steaks over charcoal briquets. YUM! Also we had cauliflower and home-made baked beans (Melinda has promised me the recipe for the upcoming "Bike For The Cure" cookbook). Dessert was ice cream and strawberries. Melinda is a delightful person who is very committed to serving the HD families.

20 days of bicycling, from Albuquerque to St. Louis. It's impossible to sum up the special magic, its myths and romance of Route 66. I have more of an appreciation of true Americana because of this ride, and would encourage everyone to see it for yourself. Get off those Interstate Highways and "Get Your Kicks on Route 66." We have tried very hard to "Kick HD on Route 66," handing out lime green brochures, accepting donations, meeting new friends and renewing other friendships.

Ron has continued to add photos to our website: www.bikeforthecure.org Check them out!

Tomorrow is a transition from Route 66 to the KATY Trail, a whole different experience.

Stay tuned for the next update.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte-27 Marie-22
Cumulative Trip Miles: 1167
Road Change: $.16

With love from St. Louis, on Route 66,
Charlotte Reicks
Marie Nemec

Quite a diverse, transitional day! Drove by Webster University in Webster Groves, where I spent the Summer and Fall of 1966. Then back on Route 66, retracing yesterday's route. Had we gone up just one more hill yesterday, we would have seen the Gateway Arch.

Parked in a parking structure and found out the van does fit under 7 ft, even with the rack and bike carrier on top. The Gateway Arch is so impressive (620 ft. tall). Designed by Eero Saarinen, it was completed Oct. 28, 1965. It is described as a weighted catenary curve.

We got there early enough that we got to ride up in the South Leg. I was a bit fearful that I'd become claustraphobic during the 4 min. ride up (and 3 min. down) in the little pod we had to sit in, but it was OK. The view from the top is fantastic!

Saw the IMAX movie produced by National Geographic, about Lewis and Clark. Fabulous photography and comprehensive story line. This is the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expidition.

One more sight to experience relative to Route 66 - The Chain of Rocks Bridge, connecting Illinois and Missouri, across the mighty Mississippi. Only foot and bicycle traffic are allowed now.

Onto the I-270 and then the I-70 Westbound, heading for the West Terminus of the KATY Trail. I miscalculated the time it would take by about an hour. We also had to slow down for the rainstorm we encountered between Sedalia and Clinton.

We didn't arrive at Ollivene Spurgeon's son Phil (and daughter-in-law's Judy's) home until 7:00 pm. Another son of Ollivene (Mike) and daughter-in-law Glenda, had driven Ollivene down from near Kansas City so we could meet in person. (Annette, Ollivene is a "real" person!) Judy had prepared a great dinner, with both beef and buffalo roasts. Honestly, I couldn't tell one from the other. Great salad, cooked carrots and potatoes, pineapple upside-down cake for dessert.

When I went outside to the van, fireflies were a familiar sight from my youth.

Phil is quite a hunter and deep sea fisherman. He had many trophy animals displayed downstairs, including an Alaskan wolf, a bobcat, a huge deer, and teeth from a shark.

Sherri Kole from Idaho will be joining us tomorrow, so for the rest of the ride, we will be a trio. Sherri's two adult sons are at-risk.

Thanks to all who have supported the ride by donations, T-shirt sponsorships, T-shirt purchases, prayers, providing overnight accommodations, meals, etc. Not sure of how much money has been raised so far, but will send an update after we see Pat Pillis, our Ride Treasurer, at the Convention.

With love,
Marie Nemec
Charlotte Reicks