Reply to about hartsburg

Some friends and I are planning a trip in July to do the Katy from Clinton to St. Charles in 4 days. On of our stops is (possibly) in Hartsburg and after reading this site (which is so great by the way) I'm reading mixed revues that the Globe is great, but Hartsburg itself is iffy? If anyone else has info on Hartsburg they were willing to share it would be much appreciated. Any other words of wisdom would be great, too. I'm extrememly excited for this trip, but I want to be prepared so I'm trying to learn all I can. Thanks!

30milemistake, (I like that handle, bet there is a story behind it!)

I think Hartsburg is a cool town. I've always thought that a perfect weekend trip would be to leave the car at Rocheport, ride to Hartsburg and camp (or stay at the Globe), then return to Rocheport on Sunday - I'm going to do that someday! Most of the time I have spent in Hartsburg has been on the MO DNR sponsored ride (we camped there a few years ago and will again this year). I have had a cold beer at the Hitchin' Post and enjoyed the 'ambiance' and eavesdropping on the locals' conversations. I have enjoyed the wine and live entertainment at Thornhill Vineyards (temporarily closed?). I've enjoyed ice cream while browsing through the merchandise at Scenic Cycles. I have always heard great things about The Globe Hotel. I have not been to Dotty's Cafe (maybe this year).

I suspect that the signs in the parks that one poster described as "unfriendly to campers" were placed there to deter certain people who are indeed unfriendly to campers - vandals, drunken teenagers, etc. As always, if planning to camp in city parks, CALL AHEAD and get permission/reservations. I also suspect that there are a few "college graduates" from the Columbia area that patronize the Hitchin' Post and are not offended by other patrons' colorful language. Hopefully some of them will post here. I would not hesitate to spend a night in Hartsburg if I were planning a ride on the Katy Trail.

We biked the trail in 6 days starting 6/1/05. Four or five would probably work just fine. We found the Globe Hotel to be adequate, nothing special. Dotty's Cafe was also adequate--clean, "white bread" food, nice people. The smoothies at the bike shop next door to Dotty's are great! Hartsburg is a pretty spot.

I wanted to add one more thing. Granted, we're from Colorado, but we found the heat in June to be unbearable. I can't imagine what July would be like. We had to start out at 6:30 every day in order to survive. One day we got a late start and ended up cycling in the middle of the day and thought we would die. I would think the best time to do the trail would be fall, followed closely by spring. If I never see Missouri in the summer again, it would be too soon.

If you like quaint villages, Hartsburg's your place. As for the Globe, our room faced west and was very hot when we checked in late afternoon; as such it really didn't cool off by the time we went to bed. However, if you want the experience of staying in an old hotel you'll love it. Jeannette, the owner, is very nice and is attentive to the needs of bicyclists.

With the closing of the winery, the big problem with Hartsburg is food on Sunday nights, Mondays and Tuesdays, when Dotty's is closed. There are smoothies at the bike shop, and a fried menu (burgers, poppers, onion rings, etc.) at The Hitchin' Post, but nothing else. If you are travelling west to east, you might think about trying to get dinner at Cooper's Landing near Easley before you get in. Great Thai food, plus a few grilled items.

A friend and I rode from Pilot Grove to Hartsburg around the beginning of May. We stayed at the Globe, which was nice. I'd stay in Hartsburg again, but next time I wouldn't do it on a Monday or Tuesday because almost everything was closed along the way. It's a good thing that the Hitching Post was open, or we would have gone to bed hungry. Here's a link to my pictures for anyone that wants to see what that part of the trail is like http://www.pbase.com/rkymthiker/katytrail05_2005

Hartsburg is a very tiny, sleepy little town, that does come alive on weekend nights occasionally with the bars in town, although less so now that the winery closed (sad) and Dotty's I don't think caters to much nightlife, although there still is the Hitchin Post. If you just want a quaint get-away-from-it-all kind of place, you'll like it. Also for food, there is the Claysville store, about 3 miles east of Hartsburg for fried chicken, etc., although I don't know their hours exactly, I think it's on weekends. This is right on the trail, the red building you'll see when you come to the signs for "Claysville". Close enough to bike to in the evening - anyone in Hartsburg could give more info.

Dotty is now open some hours on Monday and Tuesday and doing breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Keep in mind that Jefferson City is only 10.4 miles further down the trail from Hartsburg. Great city and several shuttle services from the N. Jefferson T/H to hotels and B&B's in Jefferson City.

What kind of comment is "white bread" They have other breads.It is a fabulous Cafe!! I am thankful to have a place like that on the trail with clean bathrooms and nice clean place. The best food and COBBLERS!!!