Day 29: Entering the Ozarks

Biked 60 miles yesterday to Ellington, MO. Went 70 today to Houston. Currently staying in a public park. We spent a couple hours yesterday at Johnson's Shut-ins State Park where we got to swim in the river which had a number of waterfalls to slide down. It was rad.

Missouri is absolutely beautiful; the rolling hills feature interesting rock formations, colorful fields embellished with several different wild flowers. The Ozark mountains are certainly a challenge but nothing compared to the Appalachians. The ride would be perfect if it weren't for Missouri traffic. Diesel pickup trucks will slow down just to dump black smoke on you as they pass, cars and RVs and trucks pulling horse trailers will buzz by you in the same lane, and some just hammer away at their horns as they speed by. It sucks. Missouri is my least favorite state by far because of its drivers. However, the scenery has been my definite favorite and I wish Missourians would spend more time appreciating the view more than they appreciate harassing the !@#$%^&* out of us. Whatever. It's all part of the journey and I still had a lot of fun the past couple days. 

- Chris