St Charles
- + I am planning to ride the entire trail from Clinton to St Charles but am having difficulty getting information on how to get from St Charles to the Amtrak. Any information would be appreciated. Reply...
Discussion started 05/08/2008 04:20 PM by Carol - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/11/2008 10:42 PM)Carol from Springfield, Mo on 05/08/2008 04:20 PM
I am planning to ride the entire trail from Clinton to St Charles but am having difficulty getting information on how to get from St Charles to the Amtrak. Any information would be appreciated. Reply here or send to cricket1215@hotmail.com Thanks
ka3751 from saint louis on 05/10/2008 08:06 PM
You will have to get to downtown STL or Kirkwood. Each has a train station. If you could get a ride to Lambert airport, you could take MetroLink downtown to the Amtrak station.
Barbara Gokenbach from St. Louis, MO on 05/14/2008 07:21 AM
Show Me MO Tours offers shuttle service from St. Charles to the Kirkwood train station and/or the train station in downtown St. Louis. (314) 781-0015.
Anonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 07:31 PM
We stayed at the Lacoco House, and they offered inexpensive shuttle service. I can't say enough about how good these people were to stay with. Their shuttle was about half the price offered by another service, which made staying there an even better bargain.
Anonymous on 06/11/2008 10:42 PM
I would consider riding back up the trail to Washington and getting on the trail there. No big town hassles with a bike.
Critter Cottage Marthasville
- + Nice secluded cabin with a real old style charm. The proprietor picked us up and transported us in his truck. Good but simple breakfast. I will stay there again.
Discussion started 06/11/2008 07:34 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 07:34 PM
Nice secluded cabin with a real old style charm. The proprietor picked us up and transported us in his truck. Good but simple breakfast. I will stay there again.
Les Bourgeois Winery & Bistro (Rocheport)
- + We locked our bikes and hiked up from the trail. Lunch and wine were very good and the view is fantastic. Highly recommended.
Discussion started 06/07/2008 12:19 AM by kittywhiz - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 06/11/2008 07:25 PM)kittywhiz from Oregon on 06/07/2008 12:19 AM
We locked our bikes and hiked up from the trail. Lunch and wine were very good and the view is fantastic. Highly recommended.
kittywhiz from Oregon on 06/07/2008 12:19 AM
We locked our bikes and hiked up from the trail. Lunch and wine were very good and the view is fantastic. Highly recommended.
Anonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 07:25 PM
The creme bulee was incredible, and the sandwiches were excellent, and reasonably priced.
Anonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 07:25 PM
The creme bulee was incredible, and the sandwiches were excellent, and reasonably priced.
Amber House (Rocheport)
- + Very stylish upscale accommodation. Try their car wash shower with 9 nozzles and your puny little single nozzle will never be enough again. Costs a little more but it is a good value.
Discussion started 06/11/2008 07:22 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 07:22 PM
Very stylish upscale accommodation. Try their car wash shower with 9 nozzles and your puny little single nozzle will never be enough again. Costs a little more but it is a good value.
Lunch Box Corner Deli (Pilot Grove)
- + I heard they have a new owner though....They are expanding the menu to have loose meat sandwiches and stuff...
Discussion started 06/11/2008 07:19 PM by bill - 0 repliesbill on 06/11/2008 07:19 PM
I heard they have a new owner though....They are expanding the menu to have loose meat sandwiches and stuff...
bill on 06/11/2008 07:19 PM
I heard they have a new owner though....They are expanding the menu to have loose meat sandwiches and stuff...
Main Street Grocery (Pilot Grove)
- + Great little country store!.......
Discussion started 06/11/2008 07:16 PM by bill - 0 repliesbill on 06/11/2008 07:16 PM
Great little country store!.......
bill on 06/11/2008 07:16 PM
Great little country store!.......
Pilot Grove
- + Polly's B&B was nice, clean, and inexpensive. Gut splitter breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast (with good bread), pancakes, etc. Rooms were very nicely decorated, great for the wife, although I'd fine...
Discussion started 06/11/2008 06:47 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 06:47 PM
Polly's B&B was nice, clean, and inexpensive. Gut splitter breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast (with good bread), pancakes, etc. Rooms were very nicely decorated, great for the wife, although I'd fine if thew bed is clean and comfortable. We were both very happy.
Lococo House (St Charles)
- + Rhona and Leo are really good at this business. Lovely home that feels like family. Great breakfast and "goosefeathers" dessert. We walked to town for dinner, which is a bit of a hike but lots to s...
Discussion started 06/06/2008 11:40 PM by kittywhiz - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 06/11/2008 06:40 PM)kittywhiz from Oregon on 06/06/2008 11:40 PM
Rhona and Leo are really good at this business. Lovely home that feels like family. Great breakfast and "goosefeathers" dessert. We walked to town for dinner, which is a bit of a hike but lots to see. I would definitely stay there again.
kittywhiz from Oregon on 06/06/2008 11:40 PM
Rhona and Leo are really good at this business. Lovely home that feels like family. Great breakfast and "goosefeathers" dessert. We walked to town for dinner, which is a bit of a hike but lots to see. I would definitely stay there again.
Anonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 06:40 PM
Wow! These people are great. I never thought I'd hug my B&B proprietor upon leaving, but the two of them treat people like family, going far beyond for a very reasonable price. The food is fantastic and the price is a very good value. About a 10 block walk to the primary St. Charles area, but they are always happy to drive you down or pick you up.
Anonymous from Springfield on 06/11/2008 06:40 PM
Wow! These people are great. I never thought I'd hug my B&B proprietor upon leaving, but the two of them treat people like family, going far beyond for a very reasonable price. The food is fantastic and the price is a very good value. About a 10 block walk to the primary St. Charles area, but they are always happy to drive you down or pick you up.
Rendleman Home B&B (Bluffton)
- + We stayed at this B & B when be biked the Katy about 8 years ago. the host was nice and the food was very good, but the house was dirty--especially the bathroom and shower. Is it still owned by the ...
Discussion started 05/11/2006 09:02 PM - 10 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/11/2008 06:32 PM)Anonymous from Washington, MO on 05/11/2006 09:02 PM
We stayed at this B & B when be biked the Katy about 8 years ago. the host was nice and the food was very good, but the house was dirty--especially the bathroom and shower. Is it still owned by the same person?
Anonymous from Washington, MO on 05/11/2006 09:02 PM
We stayed at this B & B when be biked the Katy about 8 years ago. the host was nice and the food was very good, but the house was dirty--especially the bathroom and shower. Is it still owned by the same person?
sharron sussman from Julian California on 05/14/2006 10:27 AM
Just stayed at the Rendleman Home in Bluffton last week - apparently the same owner (Doug) but he was off riding across Indiana and my host was an old friend of his, Fred. The house is apparently up for sale, as Doug wants to start a boat-based waterway-and-trail travel business. A fairly eccentric place, but I wouldn't call it dirty. Not your typical B&B (IS there such a thing on the Katy?) Dinner was pretty good, and I guess worth the extra $15 in such an isolated setting (there is absolutely nothing else around.) Breakfast was extremely simple for a B&B - just coffee and hot cereal. But I got my pick of their hot-cereal stash, and tried a 3-grain from Oregon that was wonderful - real nosebag food! And when I walked down toward the water for Verizon reception after dinner in the dark, there were lightning bugs - a real treat for a Californian!
Sharron
sharron sussman from Julian California on 05/14/2006 10:27 AM
Just stayed at the Rendleman Home in Bluffton last week - apparently the same owner (Doug) but he was off riding across Indiana and my host was an old friend of his, Fred. The house is apparently up for sale, as Doug wants to start a boat-based waterway-and-trail travel business. A fairly eccentric place, but I wouldn't call it dirty. Not your typical B&B (IS there such a thing on the Katy?) Dinner was pretty good, and I guess worth the extra $15 in such an isolated setting (there is absolutely nothing else around.) Breakfast was extremely simple for a B&B - just coffee and hot cereal. But I got my pick of their hot-cereal stash, and tried a 3-grain from Oregon that was wonderful - real nosebag food! And when I walked down toward the water for Verizon reception after dinner in the dark, there were lightning bugs - a real treat for a Californian!
Sharron
Blue Tapp Scheffer from St. Louis, Missouri on 07/27/2007 09:30 AM
We will be staying at Rendleman at the end of September 2007. Doug is still the owner. Just a response to the dirty bathroom comment... I haven't stayed there yet but when I called Doug he made it clear that this isn't intended to be your standard fancy b&b (I think his exact words were "This ain't one of your hoity-toity doily places.") He offers clean beds and good food to riders who've been on the trail all day (or all week). Since he's a biker himself, he gives a practical helpful hospitality geared specifically to bikers. I had a fun delightful conversation with him and my husband and I are looking forward to meeting him. I'm a musician and I'm especially anticipating his evening bonfire sing-a-long jam session with some local musicians. If you're looking for a "hoity-toity doily" place then I think you need to bike on down to Marthasville. ;-)
PEACE and all the best on the trail!
~ Blue
Blue Tapp Scheffer from St. Louis, Missouri on 07/27/2007 09:30 AM
We will be staying at Rendleman at the end of September 2007. Doug is still the owner. Just a response to the dirty bathroom comment... I haven't stayed there yet but when I called Doug he made it clear that this isn't intended to be your standard fancy b&b (I think his exact words were "This ain't one of your hoity-toity doily places.") He offers clean beds and good food to riders who've been on the trail all day (or all week). Since he's a biker himself, he gives a practical helpful hospitality geared specifically to bikers. I had a fun delightful conversation with him and my husband and I are looking forward to meeting him. I'm a musician and I'm especially anticipating his evening bonfire sing-a-long jam session with some local musicians. If you're looking for a "hoity-toity doily" place then I think you need to bike on down to Marthasville. ;-)
PEACE and all the best on the trail!
~ Blue
ree from St. Louis, Mo on 07/31/2007 08:50 AM
We had an odd experience with Doug. We pulled up the other weekend and asked where we
could get a bite to eat. He said nowhere, we'd have to keep riding or turn around five miles.
We were completely beat. As it turns out, Steamboat just around the corner has a well-
stocked snack bar. I guess he didn't want to send us to a competitor, but it really turned us
off since it was getting dark and we were beat. Steamboat really took car of us and also has
cabins along with camping and a nice new shower.
ree from St. Louis, Mo on 07/31/2007 08:50 AM
We had an odd experience with Doug. We pulled up the other weekend and asked where we
could get a bite to eat. He said nowhere, we'd have to keep riding or turn around five miles.
We were completely beat. As it turns out, Steamboat just around the corner has a well-
stocked snack bar. I guess he didn't want to send us to a competitor, but it really turned us
off since it was getting dark and we were beat. Steamboat really took car of us and also has
cabins along with camping and a nice new shower.
Rick from Wichita on 07/31/2007 10:22 AM
What is this Steamboat, you are talking about? I can't seem to find it anywhere...
Rick from Wichita on 07/31/2007 10:22 AM
What is this Steamboat, you are talking about? I can't seem to find it anywhere...
Anonymous from Ashland on 07/31/2007 10:46 AM
Click on Portland on Katy Trail Map at top of page, scroll down to "next towns on Katy Trail" and click on Bluffton.
Anonymous from Ashland on 07/31/2007 10:46 AM
Click on Portland on Katy Trail Map at top of page, scroll down to "next towns on Katy Trail" and click on Bluffton.
kim from independence, mo on 07/31/2007 05:00 PM
Normally people are asking about a place they can get a meal, and there is nowhere in Bluffton to get a meal.
We also ate at Steamboat Junction last fall when passing through, and it is a great stop, but it is JUST snacks. They had some boxed sandwiches, chips, snacks, but definitely not a MEAL.
kim from independence, mo on 07/31/2007 05:00 PM
Normally people are asking about a place they can get a meal, and there is nowhere in Bluffton to get a meal.
We also ate at Steamboat Junction last fall when passing through, and it is a great stop, but it is JUST snacks. They had some boxed sandwiches, chips, snacks, but definitely not a MEAL.
ree on 07/31/2007 09:44 PM
Steamboat Junction was somewhere between snacks and a meal. We had a couple of
cheeseburgers similar to those you get at QT that you heat up in the microwave. He just
wasn't going to help us out and send us around the corner to his prime competitor who was
booked up while he had no guests at all.
ree on 07/31/2007 09:44 PM
Steamboat Junction was somewhere between snacks and a meal. We had a couple of
cheeseburgers similar to those you get at QT that you heat up in the microwave. He just
wasn't going to help us out and send us around the corner to his prime competitor who was
booked up while he had no guests at all.
Rick from Wichita on 08/01/2007 06:42 AM
I am going to have to say, I don't consider QT cheeseburgers a "meal." Sure, it will do, but when I called Doug, he said there wasn't really much out there to eat, and I think this all confirms that.
Rick from Wichita on 08/01/2007 06:42 AM
I am going to have to say, I don't consider QT cheeseburgers a "meal." Sure, it will do, but when I called Doug, he said there wasn't really much out there to eat, and I think this all confirms that.
Sluggo from Wales on 09/17/2007 05:27 PM
I was wondering how someone would know Doug had "no guests at all" without venturing inside to check all the rooms? Has anyone else considered the possibility of "the competition" doing this posting? Regardless, my stay last year was quite enjoyable.
Sluggo from Wales on 09/17/2007 05:27 PM
I was wondering how someone would know Doug had "no guests at all" without venturing inside to check all the rooms? Has anyone else considered the possibility of "the competition" doing this posting? Regardless, my stay last year was quite enjoyable.
Anonymous on 06/11/2008 06:32 PM
It seems to me that the proof would be in allowing people to withdraw after they see the place. He may be a fun guy, and it may be a good place to hang out with the guys, but I'd like an AC vent when I'm paying over $100 on a hot summer day. Ridiculous!
There is no competition that would be outting him; no one within 10 miles. I've stayed in many B&Bs and this was the worst ever.
Anonymous on 06/11/2008 06:32 PM
It seems to me that the proof would be in allowing people to withdraw after they see the place. He may be a fun guy, and it may be a good place to hang out with the guys, but I'd like an AC vent when I'm paying over $100 on a hot summer day. Ridiculous!
There is no competition that would be outting him; no one within 10 miles. I've stayed in many B&Bs and this was the worst ever.
Katy Trail
- + I haven't seen it personally in the last few days, but it appears that a stretch of the trail is going to be dealing with flooding.
In the next few days, the weather service is predicting high wate...
Discussion started 06/10/2008 08:55 AM by gc - 3 replies (last reply by boxermom at 06/11/2008 12:56 PM)gc from Columbia, Mo. on 06/10/2008 08:55 AM
I haven't seen it personally in the last few days, but it appears that a stretch of the trail is going to be dealing with flooding.
In the next few days, the weather service is predicting high water from Rocheport to the Wilton/Easley area. Does anyone have any first-hand reports?
Big Foot from Henry County on 06/10/2008 01:36 PM
Haven’t been there either. Last year I believe the Jefferson City Gauge topped out at 29 feet after had they sandbagged around Rocheport. However, I believe the forecasted crest was much higher, but a levee broke upstream. This did get on the trail in a few places. They are forecasting a crest of 27 feet for Thursday/Friday at Jefferson City, but I don’t know if that would be high enough stop someone.
brad from st louis on 06/10/2008 04:35 PM
from state park webpage:
6/10/08 -- The trail from MM 179 to MM 181.5 (west of Rocheport) is temporarily closed due to flooding. Detour routes are posted at the Rocheport and New Franklin trailheads.
boxermom from St. Louis on 06/11/2008 12:56 PM
We are riding the trail from Sedalia to St. Charles beginning tomorrow. Does anyone know what type of detour is taken to bypass the flooded area? Just want to know what to expect.
Marthasville
- + Marthasville is looking kind of sad since the 10 years I was last there. We ate at Twin Gables B&G and had a pretty decent lunch- very friendly folks there.
Discussion started 06/06/2008 11:04 PM by kittywhiz - 6 replies (last reply by Cliff at 06/10/2008 08:37 AM)kittywhiz from Oregon on 06/06/2008 11:04 PM
Marthasville is looking kind of sad since the 10 years I was last there. We ate at Twin Gables B&G and had a pretty decent lunch- very friendly folks there.
DougK from Troy on 06/07/2008 08:51 AM
Did they ever sell Choo Choo's campground?
jb from Ofallon Mo on 06/07/2008 08:55 PM
Marthasville was a dissapointment. We didn't find any of the services listed on the website. I wouldn't recomend the section from Augusta to Marthasville. The trail is out in an open field with little scenary along the way.
Ray (webmaster) on 06/08/2008 08:11 AM
Just curious which services are listed on the website but not available. I just took Scenic Cycles off the website this morning, but other than that I believe everything that's listed here is still in business. For Twin Gables or the S&K minimart, you need to ride south from the trailhead for 1/4 mile or so, so you might not have seen them from the trailhead.
And to answer Doug, as far as I know ChooChoos is still up for sale (haven't heard otherwise, anyway).
Stevie from Saint Louis on 06/08/2008 09:21 AM
Vanessa Guyot still has Choo's Choo's listed at he website, list price is now down to just below $55,000.
Stevie from Saint Louis on 06/08/2008 09:22 AM
Should have read "her" website.
Cliff from Edwardsville KS on 06/10/2008 08:37 AM
My wife and I rode to Marthasville from St. Charles and while I agree that it wasn't the most senic part of the trail we had been on, it was still an enjoyable ride. We did'nt see any places to eat in Marthasville when we were planning the trip so we stopped at the Blumenhof Vineyard near Dutzow and bought cheese crackers and sausage to eat for dinner. We ate a late lunch in Augusta so we would'nt need a big supper. We stayed at the Critter Cottage Bed and Breakfast and I would highly recommend it. They had provided snacks for the evening along with a bottle of local MO. wine. They even offered to take us somewhere to buy groceries for dinner. The cabin was fantastic with a huge jacuzzi tub. The breakfast was very good and there was alot of it. They picked us up at the trailhead and took us a couple of miles to the cabin out of town. The next morning it was pouring down rain so they even took us to Agusta where we were able to wait out the rain so we could resume our ride. I can't say enough great things about this B&B. We look forward to staying there again this summer.