Meramec State Park- February 2009

February 22nd. Another very cold day and another park. It was 25 degrees and it was 160 miles round trip to Meramec State Park near Sullivan Missouri. I took the back roads as much as possible. Hwy 100 west out of Washington to Hwy 185 south all the way to the park. I saw maybe 4 or 5 cars on Hwy 185 and the only people in the Park where some Park personnel doing repair work. I am not sure what I will do when the spring comes and there are actually people in my parks!


I took Hwy 185 Spur up the bluff in the Park and you got a great view of the river and the forest without its leaves.

The River (Meramac River) was a great shade of green going through the Park.

Proof of another Park in the bag.

Cuivre River State Park by Motorbike- February 2009

President's Day-
It was a extraordinarily cold day, but clear and beautiful. I had thought I would just go up the road 22 miles each way and knock off Cuivre River State Park. I have hiked every trail in this park and it is lovely. It turns out I made it a 150 miles loop going through the park and then down to the Missouri River Rd (Hwy 79) and then back into St.Louis.

There are some great twisties in the Park and then along KK to W to JJ to 79.

There was absolutely no one in the park today. I didn't see another car or person and I only saw a few cars on any of the roads until I got back closer to St.Louis.

Wildlife sightings today:

Horned owl taking a rabbit in a farm field- Very exciting. It landed right next to the road and I motored slowly by and made eye contact with the Owl as it guarded its prize

Bald Eagle

Two large Hawks

Robertsville State Park- by Motorbike- February 2009

Febuary 1st was a beautiful day. Temps in the 50's and the snow melting. Decided to get another State Park off the list. Robertsville is a nice park near Union Missouri on the Meramac River. The park is not large but there is some nice twisties toward the back. It was about 100 miles round trip.

Snow Shoe'in in the Great White North- January 2009

With just a few days to get away and all ready in Minnesota, it seemed only natural to go north and check out some of the great winter time areas of Northern Minnesota. I found an out of the way cabin in the North Woods near Grand Marais Minnesota. I have never seen so much snow!

The accommodations were a single room cabin, no electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing, no phone, no internet and just a pot belly stove for heat.

It was very cold heading for the outhouse at night with temps at -10 degrees

Bring in the bags on a sled

Beautiful Lake Superior and the frozen harbor of Grand Marais

The days would start with snow until 12:30 pm and then the clouds would part and the sun would shine.

If you wanted to heat the cabin then there was wood to chop.

The snow shoeing was done on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT). We were the first to hike on the trail this season as we broke trail for 7 or 8 miles on the trail (15-16 miles round trip)

The trails were narrow through the trees and spectacular with the snow clinging to the trees

The mornings were beautiful

But the evenings were even more spectacular!

The nights had millions of stars and the Milky Way was very prominent.

Spending time on the trail was the main event

The masked participants enjoying the weather... -5 but having fun

buried waist deep in the drifts of snow

Had to cross a frozen lake with beautiful views

Right out in front of our cabin a bird feeder where we watched birds and squirrels getting something to eat in the cold

summing up the weekend in the North Woods

Recommended Restaurants in the Grand Marais area:

• Gunflint Tavern
• Crooked Spoon
• The Landing Restaurant at Devils Track Lodge

Drink of the weekend:

• StrongBow Hard Cider (Britian)

New Years Day Motorbike Ride- January 2009

Yes, I have a motorcycle. I had been getting offers to come ride with my dealer friends for quite some time in South Dakota and Minnesota. I had thought that I would finally learn how to ride, so I took the MSF riders course and got my license. But I thought in order to practice I really need a bike!.... sounds like mid-life crisis to me... ;-)

Well I have been riding for a couple of months around the backroads near my house, but since today was January 1, 2009, I decided to start my quest to ride my bike to every state park in Missouri.

Today was a beautiful, but cold day, 28 degrees. I rode to Washington State Park (90 miles) and enjoyed the view. The roads had some nice twists and turns along the way

The Bike, an '04 Suzuki DL-1000 "V-Strom" looks great in front of the view

There was a nice pavilion to rest and a very lovely view, I was the only person in the park!

On the way back I bagged Babler State Park as well (20 miles from my house)

180 miles round trip- nice day