NoCo Gal
07-23-2006, 09:20 AM
Our local WOW chapter planned a ride from the Kansas City, MO area to Richland, MO - approximately 175 miles one way. The hook is this restaurant is in an actual cave! But more on that later.
The day began with temps in the mid-60s and grayish overcast. The weather forecast called for sunny skies with highs in the mid-80s. I just don't think it gets any better than that! We gathered at the QuikTrip in Belton, MO to gas up and form into groups. We had 11 bikes (picked up one more on the road), so with 6 in the first group and 5 in the second, we got underway about 8:45 am.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00862.jpg
Gas stops are usually not worthy of bringing out the camera. However, our first stop (Lowrey City) brought an unexpected (unearthly?) visitor. This guy has apparently eschewed his former 2-wheeler for a 3-wheeler with a bit more power. Bicycles, schmicycles...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00863.jpg
Here's a closer view:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00864.jpg
Interestingly, the lady who brought him over was from France, and she and her mother and daughter wanted to get pictures of him sitting on the GW Trike. We couldn't pass that up!
Shortly after this stop, we headed off the four-lane hwy 13 and meandered over to Hwy 83, a two-lane windy road with gorgeous scenery. We slowed down briefly after we encountered 3 deer including one adorable tiny little guy that we scared into the roadside bushes. Apparently we were not the only ones reveling in the cool morning on the country roads!
After one more fuel stop in Camdenton, MO we turned on to Hwy 7 that took us to Richland, and the gravel entrance to Caveman BBQ. The sign is small and about 20 feet above ground, difficult to notice (apparently! ha!) Little did I know we would have 3 miles of this to get to the parking area...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00879.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00880.jpg
All the bikes survived the ride, though we had bikes and eyes coated in a layer of white dust by the time we parked. Once you park in the designated area, a van will then transport you to the restaurant. The road is a narrow, one-lane winding gravel lane. This answers the question "How come the van has no side mirrors?".
Here is a picture I got of the van bringing another bunch of guests:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00875.jpg
He drops us off and in the elevator we go, up to the restaurant. Here is a shot of the interior of the restaurant:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00872.jpg
It had stuffed (taxidermy!) animals (a cougar, wild turkeys, fox) placed around the dining room, plastic bats suspended from the ceiling, small water fountains, and assorted other things (like the deadbeat diners who refuse to pay for their meal)...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00877.jpg
The food was good (especially the brisket and sausage) and it kept this group of bikers quiet for at least a short time.
H and I broke off from the group to spend a bit of time in the area looking for his dad's headstone. After one wrong turn on I-44, we turned around and headed in the other direction, only to encounter a lane closure (from 2 lanes to 1) headed west. This brought traffic to a standstill. At least it wasn't 100+ degrees, so 0-10 mph at a pop, we creeped towards our exit. This gave some of our road neighbors an opportunity to get pictures of me with their cell phone cameras. I plan to google images and see if I end up somewhere in cyberspace (besides here, of course). You gotta love something this simple that makes folks smile.
Here's what captured their attention:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00890.jpg
The ride home was uneventful except for peering into the lowering sunset. 30 miles outside of KC, a cloud moved between us and gave us a little relief and breathtaking view.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00895-1.jpg
All in all a great day, 420 miles, good food, good company, no drops. :thumbsup:
The day began with temps in the mid-60s and grayish overcast. The weather forecast called for sunny skies with highs in the mid-80s. I just don't think it gets any better than that! We gathered at the QuikTrip in Belton, MO to gas up and form into groups. We had 11 bikes (picked up one more on the road), so with 6 in the first group and 5 in the second, we got underway about 8:45 am.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00862.jpg
Gas stops are usually not worthy of bringing out the camera. However, our first stop (Lowrey City) brought an unexpected (unearthly?) visitor. This guy has apparently eschewed his former 2-wheeler for a 3-wheeler with a bit more power. Bicycles, schmicycles...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00863.jpg
Here's a closer view:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00864.jpg
Interestingly, the lady who brought him over was from France, and she and her mother and daughter wanted to get pictures of him sitting on the GW Trike. We couldn't pass that up!
Shortly after this stop, we headed off the four-lane hwy 13 and meandered over to Hwy 83, a two-lane windy road with gorgeous scenery. We slowed down briefly after we encountered 3 deer including one adorable tiny little guy that we scared into the roadside bushes. Apparently we were not the only ones reveling in the cool morning on the country roads!
After one more fuel stop in Camdenton, MO we turned on to Hwy 7 that took us to Richland, and the gravel entrance to Caveman BBQ. The sign is small and about 20 feet above ground, difficult to notice (apparently! ha!) Little did I know we would have 3 miles of this to get to the parking area...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00879.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00880.jpg
All the bikes survived the ride, though we had bikes and eyes coated in a layer of white dust by the time we parked. Once you park in the designated area, a van will then transport you to the restaurant. The road is a narrow, one-lane winding gravel lane. This answers the question "How come the van has no side mirrors?".
Here is a picture I got of the van bringing another bunch of guests:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00875.jpg
He drops us off and in the elevator we go, up to the restaurant. Here is a shot of the interior of the restaurant:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00872.jpg
It had stuffed (taxidermy!) animals (a cougar, wild turkeys, fox) placed around the dining room, plastic bats suspended from the ceiling, small water fountains, and assorted other things (like the deadbeat diners who refuse to pay for their meal)...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00877.jpg
The food was good (especially the brisket and sausage) and it kept this group of bikers quiet for at least a short time.
H and I broke off from the group to spend a bit of time in the area looking for his dad's headstone. After one wrong turn on I-44, we turned around and headed in the other direction, only to encounter a lane closure (from 2 lanes to 1) headed west. This brought traffic to a standstill. At least it wasn't 100+ degrees, so 0-10 mph at a pop, we creeped towards our exit. This gave some of our road neighbors an opportunity to get pictures of me with their cell phone cameras. I plan to google images and see if I end up somewhere in cyberspace (besides here, of course). You gotta love something this simple that makes folks smile.
Here's what captured their attention:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00890.jpg
The ride home was uneventful except for peering into the lowering sunset. 30 miles outside of KC, a cloud moved between us and gave us a little relief and breathtaking view.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/Coolbikermom/DSC00895-1.jpg
All in all a great day, 420 miles, good food, good company, no drops. :thumbsup: