South of Pittsfield to the Golden Eagle Ferry

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The Illinois and Mississippi rivers come together below Pittsfield. The Golden Eagle Ferry is at the lower tip of the triangle, below the map. Numerous ferrys service both rivers in this area. Distance to the Ferry from Pittsfield is about 70 miles.	Head West from Pittsfield on 54, then South on 96. The road snakes along the Eastern edge of the ancient floodplain, South of Atlas.	One of the gravel roads leading East, across the farmland of the triangle from Hwy 96.	The road becomes less engineered, hillier and more scenic as you head South. Its a blast to ride once you're familiar with it, otherwise cool it, there are lots of blind curves.
Just another scene on the ride down. Hwy 96 turns East about half way down, but don't follow it. Always bear South for the most scenic ride.	Along the final stretch to the ferry, South of Golden Eagle (a town). The road forks a lot, so again, always bear South.	Representative terrain in the Southern part of the triangle. Its hard to capture it in a photo.	Eating cheeseburgers and watching the action at Kinder's pub. From Missouri you can reach the ferry from exit 222 off I70 near St. Charles. Follow Road C North, then East on B to the ferry sign. Lots of MO bikers cross the river here, but most don't ride very far North.
The tug swivels around this joint. It needs to stay downstream of the barge in each direction.	The Roy Mechling, plying its trade on the Mississippi, South bound.	Data I found on the internet says she makes 4800 hp and was built in 1965. She is one of the older tugs still in operation.	On the West bank of the Illinois river, during my return up the East side of the triangle.

XR650R Dual Sport Project & Travels

South of Pittsfield to the Golden Eagle Ferry