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.  

Katy Trail 2025-Day 2, Oct 20

Off like a herd of turtles at 9:20 as we start our journey to Boonville.  That’s Buck on the right, Steve’s long time friend, who joined us in Sedalia for the rest of the ride.  Another clear but windy day. 

We had lots more varied terrain today, like this cut-a-way though the rocks, and more hills but none too steep. That’s Shelley motoring up the grade behind Angela up front.  

We had a nice breakfast at the Bothwell this morning and they even gave us fruit bags to take with us.  Angela force feeds me the good stuff to get through the day at a short morning stop near Clifton City.  

It was a scary day at times today with unsavory and dodgy characters like Shelley, no I meant to say that skeleton over there!!   Shelley’s friendly with everyone, regardless of their life status.  

Arriving in Boonville at 1:30 for the night, once again way too much time to drink beer before dinner! Oh my…

But it was a great day of riding and even got a little warm in the afternoon.  

We gathered at the nearby Isle of Capri Casino for drinks and appetizers then mosied our way up Main Street to Maggie’s, a very local bar for more hydration and food.  Angela was focused on feeding the koi in the moat around the casino.  

Katy Trail 2025-Day 1, Oct 19

Shelley, Steve, Angela, Mike and I starting off ar 9am on a chilly but sunny morning from the Westbridge Inn in Clinton, MO.  We rode steadily through clear skies, a brisk wind (mostly a crosswind, yea that) about 40 miles to Sedalia. Our first day of 5 on the Katy Trial. 

A classic Katy view through the tunnel of trees on a path of crushed granite covered in leaves (and sticks, snakes, turtles (two today) and giant walnuts). Got to be careful as you glide along the trail.  

Meet Sebastian and his riding buddy, Juanita, as he and several friends ride west on the Katy.  Apparently his lucky day, he found “Juanita” along the trail and she seems to fit handily on his handle bars.  I hope picking up women against their will doesn’t become a bad habit for Sebastian. 

Shelley and Mike in Windsor, close to our halfway point for the day. 

Casey’s are our go-to for rest and refreshment.  Mike just wanted to warm up in the sun!

Angela celebrates the highpoint of our day, and the trail, the Katy Highpoint, 955’ above sea level. 

Mike tinkles the keys at the end of our cycling day in the Cradle of Ragtime, and Scott Joplin, Sedalia, MO. We check-in at the historical Hotel Bothwell around 2pm then head to Fitters, just across the town square, for beer hydration therapy and food.   

Split- Sep 27 to Sep 30

Saturday through Wednesday was our time to sit back, be unscheduled, and try to get to know and maybe meld a little bit into Split.  As I write this in the Split airport about to head back to Amsterdam, I think we were pretty successful starting with this swim Saturday morning while we were waiting to check in to our place.  

Yea, my favorite beach photo tends to be of my feet, sorry.  It just seems to capture the moment for me I guess. 

And the restaurants we visited and food and drink we consumed was varied and excellent. And the best was this dinner at Portino.  Angela said it was the best goat cheese salad she’s ever had, and that’s saying a lot!

And our wandering took us to many cafes where cappuccino's were frequently ordered, or in this case, an Irish Coffee.  Very tasty. 

We averaged almost 10 miles of walking each day and our longest day was 11 miles, 7 of which was climbing out Mt. Telegrin in the Marjan forest above.  Walking is how Angela and I like to explore and experience new cities. 

Near the top of Mt. Telegrin with Split in the background.  

In the 15th century a monk built and lived in this cave near the top of the mountain, looking out over the Adriatic.  It’s quite a “stoop” he had! 

And this was the little chapel he prayed in.  I’m surprised it hasn’t been turned into an AirBnB!

The Croatian flag flies high over Marjan and Split.  From our time in Dubrovnik in the south,  to all the islands we visited, biked or hiked on along our way, to our leisurely time in Split, we have thoroughly enjoyed our visit, our experiences and the people we came to know.  We are now ready to head home as we always say, “There is no place like home!”.

Day 7- Pucisco to Split Sep 26

While having breakfast onboard our captain cruised us about an hour north to a little special dock a few miles east of Omis where 3 Sail Croatia boats docked while we rode our last bike ride of the trip.

On our way west to Omis we begin to see the large mountains ahead of us.  

Turning it the northeast our bike ride begins to follow River Cetena into a canyon reminiscent of our own Rocky’s back home.  This beautiful bridge into a mountain tunnel reminds me of the great and amazing things we can build.  

Sayet, Ivan and Barry mug for the camera.  

Parts of Omis are backed right up to near vertical rock walls into the mountain above but this small stone home still has enough light for flowers.  

After a steep climb up the mountains above we return to Omis for a little walk and in our case, a cappuccino before returning to our  boat. 

We have our last lunch onboard as we cruise towards the large city of Split and our final destination. 

In the busy harbor of Split we set a new record (at least for me) of 9 boats tied off side by side to the dock.  Our boat is number 7 which means we have to walk across and through 6 other boats to get to shore.  It will be interesting when people who packed many big bags have to lug them to the dock tomorrow when we start to head our own ways.  

Day 6-Milna to Pucisco Sep 25

We had great weather day for riding with the exception of a few, short showers over the course of the day. We moved W to E across the top of Brac.  We’ll be in Split tomorrow for our last night on the boat. 

The morning routine begins: Coffee, breakfast buffet, morning meeting, find your bike on the dock, plug your battery in that you charged in your room overnight and start following Ivan without crashing or being crashed into as we gradually make a single file line into the country side. 

A short stop to gather the stragglers at Jujisco. You might notice there’s no fencing or barrier on this concrete roadside pad to prevent someone from falling about 8’ off the back. Many times on our rides there is a 1 to 3’ drop off of the side of the road.  It pays to pay attention and be careful when bike riding in Croatia.  

A nice roadside beach this morning but we stopped only for a minute.  Maybe later today we can swim.  

We’ve been riding on the Island of Brac (pronounced brach) the last few days, our last island to explore before we continue our northward travel to the mainland across the narrow sliver of the Adriatic.  

Awwwwww, so cute!

Arriving in Pusisca we enjoy another full lunch (and beer if you like) on the Mila Luca and take a leisurely swim at the adjoining beach.  That’s Angela, Steve and Bev and Peter from Australia.  The water was slightly cool, clear and very refreshing!

After our swim we grabbed a beer in the salon and headed for the stone sculpting school for high school aged kids.  That’s Sukdav comparing these two limestone lions.  

Pucisca was more of a “real” coastal town with much less presence of tourists and the associated trappings likes lots of restaurants.  Somehow as the +30 guest roamed the streets bit by bit, in groups of two or four, 18 of us gathered at this little place called Fontana. There was beer drank, burgers eaten and stories told before we collected back at the boat.  

And apparently another game of Crown Five card playing in the salon ensued, no doubt led by Sandy and Steve!