April 2022

Magnificent Missouri has released Trail Blazers, a new book about Ted and Pat Jones and their work in establishing the Katy Trail. All proceeds from Trail Blazers support Magnificent Missouri and will be used for conservation along the Katy Trail. More about the new book:

A Fortune 500 financial-services firm, the nation’s longest bike path, a 700-acre prairie, and the state park at the confluence of America’s two greatest rivers all have something in common: the story of two families, those of Ted and Pat Jones.  The new book, Trail Blazers: The Free-Spirited and Extraordinary Lives of Ted and Pat Jones, takes readers on their journey and explores their singular approaches to business, conservation and life.

 

Trail Blazers, published by Magnificent Missouri, was released on Monday, April 18.

 

Great Rivers Greenway in the St Louis metro area sent the following announcement:

Throughout the spring and fall this year, Great Rivers Greenway is once again hosting the Life Outside Challenge! This is an opportunity to do nature, creativity, health, play, and photo challenges on the greenways and win prizes! The spring Life Outside Challenge is happening now and ends May 15. To submit your activities and win prizes, visit www.LiveLifeOutside.org.

American Rails has an excellent summary of the history of the MKT/Katy Railroad - many interesting tidbits for anyone planning a trip on the Katy Trail:

As its name implies, the MKT linked its namesake states with key connections to St. Louis, Kansas City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Waco, San Antonio, and Galveston/Houston.  Much of its growth across Texas occurred during the Jay Gould era, one of the industry's most notorious tycoons.  

After escaping his grasp the Katy spent the 20th century as a well-managed, if not highly profitable, railroad.  Due to its regional nature and many competitors it did not enjoy the success of its larger neighbors but was nonetheless a respected carrier. 

During the late 1960's, legendary railroader John Barriger III took the reins and guided the Katy through a brief bout of prominence.  He had always envisioned it joining a stronger system, which came true in 1988 when it was acquired by Union Pacific. . . .

[I]t was hoped that Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Gibson could be directly connected by rail. 

Katy Trail riders: Since 2019 the Salt Creek bridge on the Katy Trail between Rocheport and Boonville has been out, destroyed by the Missouri River flooding that year.

State Parks plans to have the new bridge in place and open, perhaps as soon as May 2022.

However, in the meanwhile the question remains: How do you safely ride between Rocheport and Boonville?

State Parks suggests taking Hwy 40 - which is possible, but also narrow with no shoulders and at many times of the week, filled with fairly heavy and very fast traffic.

But there is a better way: MoBikeFed has created a beautiful, scenic low traffic/low stress alternative to that Hwy 40 bypass. The route is a MoBikeFedTriple Star Route, meaning that it is a high quality "Virtual Guided Tour" of the area with the route completely ground-truthed and all cues and turns checked.