I took an afternoon walk on the Katy Trail about a week ago in late October -- just before it turned cold and windy. The Katy Trail is a hiking and bike trail that runs about 270 miles from St. Charles to Sedalia, mostly along the Missouri River. It was once the right of way for the Katy Railroad but not it is a state park and is very popular - both for people making long distance rides to day hikers and people out for a little exercise.
I've been walking pretty much since I got back from Italy but lately I've been slacking off so I decided to take a short walk, maybe 20 minutes, on the Katy Trail. I ended up walking about 90 minutes and was willing to walk farther but it was getting late in the afternoon --- Katy Trail is a little seductive this time of year. These are a few of the pictures I took on my walk....not in any particular order.
Missouri Capitol Building in the far distance across the river - the turf farm is in the near distance...spraying the fields.
There are patches of 'Scouring Rushes' along the trail. These were used as an abrasive by the pioneers and are still used like sandpaper in Japan.
These are very primitive plants.
Some wildflowers blooming among the rushes.
Some ferns
Missouri River bluffs run alongside the trail.
A very pleasant and peaceful walk
A few flowers hanging on in late October.
Trees and the rock bluff. We didn't have much of a colorful fall this year in spite of all the rain we had earlier. It got very windy the day after I took these pictures and the few colorful leaves we had blew away.
Queen Anne's Lace -- still blooming up along the river bluff --- must be a micro-climate there. This is one of my favorite wildflowers.
This is about the brightest colored tree I found along the trail.
Hay bales and river bluffs.
Old railroad bridge over Turkey Creek. There are only a few reminders that this was once a busy railroad track.
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