Fun with Jean and Plants

 Jean's contribution to my desire to take some walks (I really need to for my back and my general continuing recovery from the big hike) was to spot me to do 3.5 miles on the Frisco Trail from Joplin to Webb City. This is a rail-trail, as you might guess from the name.

I ended at a bicycle shop owned by a friend of hers. Jean used to do a lot of cycling, and still owns four bikes. From time to time we've talked about doing some biking, but neither of us is sure how far we could ride any more.

Her friend Debbie owns Bicycle Specialists in Webb City which carries a full line of bikes and gear and does repairs (also skateboards, in-line skate parts, and disc golf supplies).

We were invited to dinner by another friend of Jean's, Saba. She is from Pakistan and is a doctor. She has also written a very cute book called King Raja about a cat they had when her children were growing up. However, the book is really written by the cat telling about the family. We talked about writing (Jean is also working on a book), and hiking, and life.

It's a stellar day for me because I sort of got two new trees. This is blackjack oak, Quercus marilandica. It grows in the south central U.S. I may have seen it before, but if I did, it didn't register. This is in silhouette, but you can really see the leaf shape.

This one, I've definitely seen before because it's an ornamental in Jean's yard. I guess that shows you how much a was paying attention last time I was here. Anyway, it's an blue Atlas cedar. Cedrus atlantica. It grows naturally in the Atlas mountains but is often planted for its beauty. It reminds me of a blue tamarack.

We are both peopled out for the day. It was great, but it's time for a rest before I hit the road in the morning. We both agree I should have planned one more day here. We are once again rather amazed at how well we get along. We've promised not to wait another ten years before seeing each other.

Frisco Trail, Joplin, MO, 3.5 miles.

See Stop Four- Cousin Jean