Saturday morning we got up and instead of doing the Red Ribbon Ride we decided on getting some chores done. We recycled yard waste, got some bread from a local Amish Store, went by our LBS and ordered a wind/rain jacket for me and dropped off more stuff at the DAV.
We decided to ride the Tour de Cox Short Route, a ride put on by the Cox Meyer Center the last few years. The weather was perfect as we headed out through Springfield toward the west. This view is as we are heading north on Barnes.
The day was perfect for being outside and we were not the only ones enjoying the sunshine.
Once on the west end of town, we took a detour on what I think is the Ward Branch of the Ozark Greenways trails. There I spied a season’s first sighting…
Poison Ivy is back for another year....
On the Ward Branch trail
After leaving the trail we came upon DeBoer Hill. This hill is named with affection after the spinning instructor at the Meyer Center.
DeBoer Hill, a fixture of the Tour de Cox Short Route
After the hill, we turned south and crossed over Sunshine. The next time we are in the area, we may continue west and visit some friends from our church who live in Nixa. Pat and Carolyn live on the east side of Republic close to County Rd. M.
Close to the Southwest Power Plant, I saw evidence of capitalism at its purest.
Not having a need for the proffered product, I cycled on.
The power plant is a landmark that can be seen for miles. The trains bringing the coal run through town at night and sometimes through non-rushhour times.
The ubiquitous herds of cows were out munching their grass
These weeds along the road were lovely as they waved back and forth in the breeze.
Our path home led us onto the South Creek Trail and through Nathaniel Greene Park.
After we got home, Jan called her cousin in Oklahoma to see how she was coming along. In the conversation Jan mentioned that we had been riding a bit. Dotty asked if we had gone two or three miles. When Jan replied that we had gone about 28 miles, Dotty exclaimed, “Twenty-eight miles! You need your head examined!”
Perhaps we do.
Stay happy,
Two Feet Off the Asphalt 
That looks like a great ride. I hope you folks missed the heavy weather this past weekend (and today, too, it looks like on the radar).
Bill, yes, we did miss the brunt of this tragic storm. We are pretty much in shock at the devastation that took place in Joplin. Jan and I were south of Branson yesterday afternoon and only learned of the tornado when our friend’s phone beeped a weather report. We decided to head home and got out of the area about an hour before the storm swept through the area north of Branson. We are thankful to the Lord that we missed it all.