Day Four: Pilot Grove to Boonville

After spending the night at home, my feet felt a little bit better.

I had been using a new pair of running shoes, thinking that they would have better cushioning around the balls of the foot, where I had been experiencing some blistering before. Thinking about my feet, I realize now that with the really heavy weight of my fully loaded backpack, I think it causes my feet to spread out and forces parts of my feet to rub that don't normally come in contact with the soles of the shoe. I decided to try two different solutions. I went back to my older shoes, which feel like they have better arch support, and carried very little in my backpack. I was going to be sleeping at home that night as it is, so I didn't need the tent, bedroll, all the water and clothes.

Anyways, on to the walk.

Pilot Grove is one of my favorite towns on the trail. It seems like the economy is in fairly good shape, and after passing through a lot of towns that were little more than ghost towns, it was nice to see a place with some life in it. The trailhead is right in the middle of town and, TADA!, it has running water! What more can I ask for? I read all the boards at the trailhead that describe the upcoming sections of the trail, and, much to my surprise, one of the comments said that cyclists consider the 11 miles between PG and Boonville to be the hardest section of the whole trail......... GREAT! But, after yesterday, how hard could it be? Actually, not very. Give me this section any day over the Clifton City-Pilot Grove run.

After spending two days on the prairies, then climbing through wooded hills, it was nice to get into some nice Midwestern farmland. The farms all seemed to be tidy. The houses were, for the most part, kept up, and the weather was spectacular. This was going to be a good walking day.

Then my feet started hurting in a new way. My left ankle starting giving me really stabbing pains. I could barely use it. I have never broken a bone that I know of, but this is what I imagine it felt like. The only thing I could do was take a few Ibuprofen that I always carry, and see if it would dull the pain. After about a half-hour, the pain did seem to fade.

One of the big sights, at least for me, was crossing I-70. I have lived near this interstate for most of my life. I have never had this perspective of it, though.
Ok, so I am easily amused!
As I assumed, the walk into Boonville wasn't all that bad. My blisters still hurt, but the route was not all that bad. In fact, if it weren't for my feet, this would have been a very easy day.

Oh, on another front, you get to see lots of animals as you walk across rural areas. I have seen horses, goats, turtles, snakes, lizards, spiders, lots and lots of squirrels, turkey, deer, and even, I think, a bobcat. But I have to say, my biggest fans on this whole trip have been the cows. I can be walking along, minding my own business, and the cows will gaze upon me like I am a rock star. They could be munching on whatever is the choice cow food of the day, and they will stop and stare. You would think I was a walking bale of hay. The calves will scamper around and run up to the fences. The cows just stare. I haven't crossed paths with any bulls yet, but I will get back to you on that. I am a god to these animals!!! lol

But back to the narrative.

The slope that you work up as you enter Boonville is called Lard Hill. Aunts and uncles, insert lard sandwich stories here. Anyway, the story goes that way back when the railroad killed this woman's prized hog. When they offered her $5 for the swine, she was insulted and demanded more cash. The MKT said "tough." The story goes that the woman rendered down the hog, and she and her kids poured the lard on the tracks over the next couple days, and the trains couldn't get enough traction to get up this hill. Eventually, the railroad relented and paid the woman what she wanted. I can't vouch if the story is true, but the hill is pretty steep.

I slowly made my way into Boonville. As I said before, this leg of the trail is not at all difficult. Boonville itself seems to be prospering. The casino must be pumping some cash into the economy. The old train depot is pretty and the endangered Katy railroad bridge is awe-inspiring. Note, I did NOT say "awesome." I think that word has lost all meaning now that french fries are "awesome" and its "awesome" when you get a cold Coca-Cola out of the fridge, or its so "awesome" that someone gave you a paper towel. ... OK, those of you who have worked with me know this rant already. Moving on.

My feet, while feeling a little better than the day before was still giving me trouble. I had parked my truck in New Franklin, which is just across the river from Boonville. I realized that if I kept pounding them like I was, I was probably not going to be able to finish this walk, so I decided to knock off a little early and met up with my brother at the Frederick Hotel so he could give me a lift to my truck.

By the way, the new Glenn's should be open within the next week or so, he was having a servers' meeting. Come early and come often!