Musings on horticultural therapy and the soothing effects of plants and nature
There is an unfamiliar chill in the air as we cross the Missouri RIver for the first time on our bicycles. A slight haze emerges from the Big Muddy under a bright, cloudless sky. We have an early start of 8 am today as we want to beat the heat as much as possible for […]
A cool breeze and more moderate temperatures greet us as we leave our hotel. Before we start our 38-mile journey to Boonville, we visit the Katy Depot in Sedalia. It is a wonderful museum that recounts the history of how Sedalia became a railroad town. It also reviews the history of one of its most […]
There is no way getting around it: it is hot. After spending four hours being transported to the trailhead in Clinton, MO, we are ready to hit the road. And after a quick lunch we do just that. We face a stiff breeze as we start our 38 mile ride to Sedalia. The crushed stone […]
Time for another episode of Erik & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (on bikes). Yesterday we landed in St. Louis and caught a quick cab to St. Charles, the first capital of Missouri, located along the Missouri River. We are hoping the day’s 90 degree heat will not follow us for the next week. We are biking […]
Juana and I decide to take a short road trip to Big Pine Key with our bikes. Big Pine Key is known for its Key deer, which are very tiny and cute, as well as the Blue Hole, which is an old limestone quarry that now fills with fresh water. This key was hammered by […]
Juana and I, like a pair of elderly migrating birds, have made our way South (way South) to the Florida Keys to warm our bodies and souls. With the exception of the past few years, we have been coming to the Keys to vacation for over 20 years. The tiny apartment we rent is on […]
An early Spring is rarely imagined and less often realized at the turn of the year. Yet today with the temperature cresting in the low 60s that is exactly what we have. I remove my bike from the shed and with an extra layer of clothing head off for the Titicus Reservoir, which supplies NYC […]
It is impossible to capture everything in a blog about what you see on a trip like this. Here are a few vignettes of special sights. Classic covered bridge: This well-kept covered bridge is located in Uhlerstown leading us off the D&L to the D&R trail on the other side of the river in New […]
On our travels along the D&L Trail I found many familiar flowers. Here are my faves in reverse order. 9. Blueweed (Echium vulgre): If this wasn’t so invasive, it would be much higher on my list. Its delicate bell shaped flowers host many a pollinator. It is scattered along the trail. 8. Queen Anne’s Lace […]
We did it! Black Diamond and back. 73 miles. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect day this morning crossing the train tracks in Jim Thorpe heading north on the D&L trail. Following the Lehigh River, we start up a long incline that will not end until we get to our final destination. Between the […]