June 4, 2003 Today was a rest day, so the Team slept in, picked up a car and began enjoying St Louis at the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Before starting the morning, we changes out the tires. The front tire had 1535 miles on it, and the back one 855. They were both ready for change, but weren't really all that bad. The back tire had been changed because of an earlier flat. It looks like that is about the right mileage for a change. We were sorry to see the front tire go because it has served us well. We hope this doesn't create some kind of a jinx. Our first stop today was St. Charles. We had two goals: check our the KATY Trail (A rails to trails develpment that is over 260 miles long.), and visit the Louis and Clark center. We found the trail very nice and made of crushed limestone. It looked to us like it would take road tires very well (unlike the ones in the East.), and this was confirmed by a man in a bike store not far away. So, it looks like we will be taking the trail the full 104 miles from St. Charles to Jefferson. We visited the center, and it was fun. We bought some things, looked around and then headed out for lunch. It was nice having lunch outside in the sunshine! After lunch, we headed for the State Historical Lewis and Clark Center at the confluence of the rivers. The center was quite informative, but the confluence was nowhere to be seen. We asked, and were given directions. We followed the directions, and still, no confluence. Disappointed, we headed back. As we neared the Mississippi River, LaValle found some roads on a map that she thought might lead us to the confluence. We took them, and at the first pass, we struck out again. We turned around, and retraced our course to find a road that looked promising. We had found it! We also leaned that the thing had only opened last Saturday, so our timing was good. It was five miles from the main road to the confluence parking area, but it was a beautiful drive. They are restoring the wetlands here, and the scenery was wonderful. We finally arrive at the confluence, and were not disappointed. Two mighty rivers joining together make for an awesome sight. Such power, yet they are so quiet. It was a wonderful spot to be - beautiful, quiet, loaded with history and filled with nature. We stayed for a short time, had our picture taken and headed for Kinko's. That is where we are now - trying to get caught up on our communications work. We hope you enjoy what we have written. From here we go to the bike shop to get new pedals for LaValle. One of them was stiff when we left, and it has given up the ghost. We get them and head back to get the bike ready for tomorrow. Then it will be dinner and rest. We are going to have a nice evening, and wish the same to you. It was really strange driving a care today after so many days in the saddle! We are very happy to be starting the Lewis and Clark Trail, but we are most excited and impressed at having experienced it's Eastern Legacy! Ron