Riding along 224 on a tractor

The big Oliver 1855 goes amazingly fast for a tractor.  Cliff says it's because it has hydraul-shift.  It goes fast enough that our hair blows back when we're up to full speed, and if it weren't for cars behind us needing to pass, it almost feels like being on a motorcycle.  I thoroughly enjoyed our ride to Lexington and back.  

224 highway started life as the Santa Fe Trail.  After automobiles came on the scene, it was 24 highway, the main thoroughfare (at least in these parts) going east and west.  Later on a new 24 was put in, and this small stretch between Napoleon and Lexington became 224.  You will see lots of motorcycles traveling this historic stretch along the Missouri River.  

There are people living here and there along this route, but there are also abandoned houses like this one that remind me what the road was like in its heyday.  

I took this shot as we were leaving Lexington.  Local folks call this street "Irish-town Hill Road".  Those bricks are very slick in winter when coated with ice or packed snow. 

    We caught up with the owner of the local peach orchard, Larry, and he motioned us past him, knowing we had a faster tractor.  

Yesterday I thought someone was living in this house.  Looking at the picture, I'm not so sure.  

This is the outbuilding that goes with the house.  Now I realize why I knew the place was inhabited.  

What's left of an old service station.

Here's what it looks like in winter.  

This is the Peckerwood Club, somewhat infamous in its early days.  It was still open for business when we moved here in 1975.  I believe it closed for good in the 80's.  

Ah, civilization!  Just before you enter our little town, you come upon the Sni Mini-mart.  The only store or service station around.  

And here, also on the banks of the Sni, is Catfish Charlie's.  We don't eat there often, but the food is good.  Our tractor club group likes going there.