My Corner Online
Joe Wilson's Serenity Point at Noren Access and Missouri River Pedestrian & Bike Bridge
Joe Wilson's Serenity Point at the Carl R. Noren Access and Missouri River Pedestrian & Bike Bridge. I think being outdoors people we really enjoyed this place. It is just over the bridge in Northern Jefferson City in Calloway County, but of course the other side of the bike trail is in Jefferson City proper in Cole County.
The various places are sort of combined into one. The Noren Access is a boat ramp to the Missouri River and Conservation Department land. They maintain the bathroom and the parking lot I would think. However, in the middle of it seems to be the Joe Wilson's Serenity Point, which was built in 2000, and is part of the North Jefferson City Recreation Area (which you see when you first turn down the road to the access). It seems to be the area were there are two swings overlooking the Missouri River with canoes on top, which is kind of fun.
Joe's obituary reads, "A community activist and conservationist, he is noted for the creation of Wilson’s Serenity Point (WSP) at Noren Access where he was able to combine his love of community, nature, dogs, family, friends, paddlers, and the majestic Missouri River. Joe loved to sit by a campfire telling stories and playing guitar (original songs, and classics). He was actively involved in the MR340, Missouri River Relief, and acted as a local “River Angel.”
There is a square spiral concrete walking and biking way which takes you upward and downward to the Highway 63/54 that goes over the Missouri River. There is a trail that is used by the Katy Trail system to go across the river. The trail runs next to the major highway and the bridge shakes!
Here he is walking over to the square spiral walkway up to the highway. My feet hurt too bad to walk that far, so I watched him go up and down.
He did not cross the river here, but rather we went to the other side by vehicle to the parking area and he walked across that way. So he did make the entire walk.
This is Serenity Point.
We first walked to the left to stand underneath the Highway 63/54 bridge.
Back at Serenity Point we sat in the first swing with the canoe over the top. I thought it was creative and fun. I thought it was a great tribute to the Native Americans and first explorers who first traversed this river.
This is the view from the swing. You can see the bridge and the Missouri State Capitol underneath it. It's a sweet view! But the noise from the vehicle traffic on the bridge was incredibly loud and I did not think that felt very serene! If the traffic would stop it would be great!
He walked down to the sandy beach. My feet hurt so I watched. Normally I would! I had been on my bad feet all day.
This is the second swing with a canoe overhead.
This is the view from the second canoe. You cannot see the capitol from here.
I enjoyed watching the birds swooping to and fro.
Back on the other side of the bridge by vehicle, we first visited Rotary Centennial Park which was an overlook where an old bridge used to run. See the above video. Then we parked to walk across the bridge and this is the sign at the beginning of the trail.
I wanted to walk across, even with my bad feet, but I choose my steps carefully and this was a go for me. The vehicles are intimidating for me being so close, especially the big trucks! It felt like there was nothing keeping them from careening through the fence and striking me.
I went far enough to be able to see the railroad tracks underneath.
I continued on.
Now I am in line with the trees along the river.
I continued on until I was over the water. I was okay at that point willing to keep going.
Until I went so far that the whole trail under my feet and the fence was shaking viciously. How in the world do people walk on that! I can see riding and maybe not feeling it, but it was really scary. It was not a light vibration. It literally felt like the concrete under my feet my crumble under the pressure of an earthquake! I had to eventually stop and go back. He continued across the bridge. Uh, no! I’ll wait to watch the new for the walkway to collapse some day.
Here is me filming him filming me! There are a lot of "love locks" on the fence. Love locks are padlocks that couples attach to bridges as a symbol of their love. The Brooklyn bridge is well known for this activity.
He is getting further away from me.
He turned is phone vertical to record and take photos. I tell him all the time not to do that, but I was still thankful for the video and photos since I did not go.
This is how close the vehicles go!
This is him filming me filming him!
