katy trail, rocheport to boonville / hartsburg to no. jefferson

got to ride the katy trail for rocheport to boonville and back on monday 7/25/05, also got to ride from harstburg to no. jefferson and back on 7/26/05, while spending time in columbia ,mo for my grandsons state allstar games. i enjoyed the hartsburg to no. jefferson trail much more than rocheport to boonville. it appeared to be more of a change of scenery. i did enjoy the katy through franklin, stopped and took lot of pix of the old railroad turn table and such, and of the old grain silos at pearsons. if ever at rocheport, stop at the trailside cafe and bike rental. the folks there are wonderful and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome. have stopped at the cycle-depot at hartsburg. owners were great and very friendly. the katy trail over the missouri river at boonvile is a dedicated lane on the bridge, but for me it left a lot to be desired. i am scared silly of heights, and the bike lane is only bouts 4 ft wide and only has a metal guard rail bolted to the bridge between you and the river. it's a L-O-N-G ways down to the river. it took all i could to to cross it and then realized i had to cross back. i made it though and thourghly enjoyed the rest of the trip. stopped in at the boonvile chamber at the old boonvile depot for some a/c and cold water. very friendly people. the DNR office is right next door. they are also fairly friendly. office not as cool. trail was in good shape and all in all i thoroughly enjoyed both rides. the trail for hartsburg to no. jefferson was harder to ride. lost of soft areas, almost like sand, but still enjoyable. HAPPY BIKING!!!!!!!!!