Another day of more of the same. Lots of hills, lots of humidity and lots of heat. Today was the day that I got to experience the springs of Missouri. There is a place called Ally Spring which is in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways that has a spring like I have never seen before. The water that comes from the Karst rock layer is very clean and clear. It releases an estimated 81 million gallons of water per day water into the Jack Fork. There is an historic mill at the spring, which is on the back of the Missouri Themed Quarter that was released in 2017. It is not the arch in St. Louis on the quarter.
Today was the day with the greatest elevation gain. It was another tough day and fortunately I found another local swimming hole along the road to cool off in. It is so nice to get the perspiration rinsed off my body. I go in the water with cycling clothes on. They are already drenched so there is no point in changing into a swimsuit.
Today’s stats: total mileage 71.81 miles; average speed 11.4 mph; max speed 41.0 mph; total elevation gain 5010 feet; elevation descent 5459 feet.