Day 41 - Springfield to Mansfield MO

It was great to stay with my cousin Roger and his wife Bonnie -- such wonderful relatives!

My ride was chilly at the start. Early on I happened upon this picturesque scene.

Where I met some watershed advocates from the Watershed Center.

Swans.

I rode many smooth country roads with no traffic today.

Past some very nice houses.

And an unfortunate cat. :-(

And a field of PV panels.

Also encountered a portion of the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

More smooth country roads.

Swooped by some cows.

Climbed through an idyllic woodland.

Here is a 30 second video of some of the bird sounds I heard here.

Shortly there after, I ran out of pavement. :-(

At least this bumpy dirt/gravel road was not that long. But I ran across more gravel segments throughout the day.

After entering Fordland.

I stopped at this cafe for a big lunch.

It is sad to see some people living with lots of trash.

Not far from Mansfield I encountered a buggy share the road sign.

Then got passed by a buggy.

This building sure looks sturdy and tornado resistant.

Glad 4-Hers are cleaning up our world.

I stayed at a great B&B in Mansfield.

And enjoyed a blueberry-pineapple smoothie there.

At the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum there was a Monarch butterfly info station.

A great new trail connected the new museum to the Ingalls Ranch house and the Rock house.

Here are some pictures of my room at the Weaver Inn.

Then I crossed the town common...

...to visit Sweet Nellie's for dinner...

...where I met Butch and Debbie. Butch works for 3-4 month stints at sea as a cook's helper on ocean surveying ships. He had just gotten back for a 2 month break.