Katy Trail Last Day- Oct 23

It was a cool 40 degrees when we started at 9 but we had to get an early start for our 65 mile day to our final destination, St. Charles, MO.  It’s almost 11 when we arrive at the Marthasville depot to stretch and reconnect before moving on.  

Lots of sun, blue skies and almost no wind today. That’s Bill following John who’s following Angela on one of the many open stretches we had today along the Katy. 

Shortly after noon we arrive at the Dutsow Deli and Restaurant. After 30 miles we were all ready for a little break and some grub which we got in abundance!  Steve is wondering if it’s time for another one of  his anti-depression pills.  I will continue to keep him in my prayers. 

 🙏

Near Augusta we find these beautifully adorned silos, both outside and in.  It’s amazing the effort some people put into something like abandoned silos to add beauty and awe to the Katy Trail. 

Just a few steps up the bluff I find Mr. Amos becoming a little too emotional, probably because of his love of giant butterflies.  It’s a good thing Ang was there to comfort him.  

And there’s always time to stop for a beer at Good News Brewery right along the Katy.  I get the impression this isn’t the first time Bill or John have been here.  

We bid adieu to John as he jumps on the trail along the I-64 bike path that will take him across the Missouri River and to his home in Ballwin.  Steve and Buck have also turned off the Katy for shortcuts home.  Bill, Ang, Shelley, Mike and I have about 15 more miles to go. 

And now, there was only 4 of us (not counting Bill who took this picture) next to some other adventurous explorers like us, Lewis and Clark and their faithful dog, Scooby Doo.  We were tired and weary of our bikes, and we were done!  But we were not weary of our friends who road with us, supported us and made us laugh and all the interesting folks we met along the way.  It was a great trip, a memory for life.  Thanks to you all!!

Katy Trail 2025-Day 4, Oct 22, Wed

Back across the mighty Missouri River before 10am on our way to Hermann. 

Our best weather day yet, sunny, blue skies and a mild tail wind, and the trailsurface was pretty darn good most of the day. Angela, John and Bill agree also!

After an old school lunch at the Portland, Holzhausers Bar, home of the best cheeseburger in Callaway County (And yes, we had cheeseburgers!) we burned a steady and brisk pace into Hermann, MO.  That is John, leading the way back across the Missouri.  

Mondays, Tuesday’s, and apparently Wednesdays are bad days to eat out in rural America.  After an Odyssey type of adventure we finally found ourselves at pretty much the only place in town, El Ranchito, to eat.  Doesn’t look to inviting does it, but we had a good time and a few margaritas too.  

Another day of Katy riding in the books.  Tomorrow, after we digest our dinner tonight, we finish our ride in St. Charles, our longest day yet.  But we’re ready!

Katy Trail 2025-Day 3, Oct 21

A 10am start into a bright, sunny morning.  It was below 50 degrees cool with a stiff wind from the west.  

Angela and I mostly brought up the rear today, and I’m usually behind her.  I must have been feeling frisky at this point.  We had a nice breakfast break in Rocheport shortly after this.  

We all gather for a photo op at the infamous Boathenge just before taking a short break at Cooper’s Landing. 

Around lunchtime we were passing just south of Columbia, home of the University of Missouri.  No lunch today, we’re over halfway to Jefferson City. 

John Garrett and Bill Amos joined us in Jeff City and will be riding back to St. Charles with us!  After “end of ride” beverages at Red Wheel Bike Shop we checked into the Doubletree and then gorges ourselves on Arris Pizza, just down the street from our hotel.