MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 5/3/2010 1:59:06 PM:
My wife and I had a wonderful time for our first ride on the Katy. After an early morning drive to Hartsburg we had a wonderful breakfast at Dotty's Cafe before hitting the trail. The weather was great; cool, cloudy, and light winds. Headed West and stopped at Coopers Landing for an ice cream and a look around, we will be camping there on our weeklong trip in June. Didn't see anything happening around Wilton. Lots of folks out enjoying the trail in the Rocheport area. Had the grilled rueben at the Trailside Cafe as we waited for checkin time at the Katy Trail Bed & Bikefast. As we left the Cafe a shower dumped on us and got us soaked before we got checked in, the only rain we got for the weekend, although it looked threatening at times. We wandered around Rocheport for the rest of the afternoon, browsing the various antique shops and galleries. Had the BBQ brisket at the Rocheport General Store and Cafe and listened to the local performing artist for a very relaxing evening. It stormed some more overnight as we slept in a very comfortable bed with our bikes locked up nice and secure in the garage. On the way back to Hartsburg we stopped again at Coopers Landing for a coffee refill. Ended our weekend where we started, at Dotty's Cafe for the pork tenderloin dinner. The trail was great for the most part after the recent rains. A little soft in some areas, but no mud, flooding or ruts. The only trouble spot was just West of Hindeman Junction, about 50 yards of the trail surface is washed away down to the ballast rock and ties. We were able to ride thru it on our mountain bikes, but road bikes would probably have to walk them thru. We saw deer, lots of squirrels and rabbits. Plenty of geese were out walking the trail and all the local dogs we came across were of the friendly sort. We are really looking forward to our June trip from Clinton to St. Charles.