Week on the Katy Trail - October 11-16

Hello All - Wife and I are planning a week long trip on the Katy Trail Mid October for our Honeymoon to do some Biking, Hiking and Fishing. Going to mix it up with some Camping and staying at some Bed and Breakfasts along the way. We will be starting our adventure at Boonville and head to St. Charles taking our time soaking in all the nature, culture and history of each small town along the trail.

I went out and got the book "Katy Trail Guidebook" from "Brett Dufur" - book has some great information and talks about places to visit. I read most of the posts from this site and would still like to hear some more suggestions and places not to pass up from others and what their experiences where like. Don’t forget to include the areas and places the Wife and I should avoid as well please. I know all the planning and preparation in the world will not prevent every bad experience but the more information and from different sources will help. I'm keeping an eye on the weather and it looks like Avg.high temps are low 70s mid 60s and lows mid 40s. I have lived in KC, MO for 23 years and know no matter what weather website forecasts the weather it can and will change in the blink of an eye.

Thanks in advance for all the feed back and if your out on the trail same time we are! Look forward bumping into you.

One item in nature to see for sure is the over 300 year old Champion Burr Oak just east of Huntsdale. The first asphalt road you come to going east after Huntsdale is Burr Oak Rd., look to the south, (your right) you can't miss it. Ride the very short distance down to it, maybe 100 or so yards, it is really something to see, especially up close.

Sounds like a fun trip you have planned, that is the way to do it, take it all in. Congratulations in advance, enjoy your trip.

Burr Oak is really neat. Eat at Cooper's Landing and take photos at Boat Henge. Plan to spend the night and a day in Jefferson City. Book your room with a hotel or B & B that will shuttle you across the bridge (Cliff House B & B, Rose Briar B & B, and maybe Truman Hotel, Doubletree or Hotel DeVille) and spend a day in Jefferson City. The Capitol is awesome, be sure and see the Benton Murals in the House or Representatives (or maybe Senate) Lounge, see Lincoln University's Soldiers Memorial Plaza and schedule a tour of the old prison (MSP, see the Convention and Visitor's Website). You'll enjoy The Mission. Elsewhere, don't miss Jim's Bar and Grill in Tebbetts, there's a cool huge boulder (I forget the name) right along the traia between Mokane and Bluffton. If you end up spending the night in the Bluffton area Pendleton's B & B will provide a once in a lifetime experience (Doug's cooking and stories are very special.) The rooms are not a five star experience but the food and company are. The Little House in Marthasville is quite nice also. Enjoy!!!

I hope you allow some time in St Charles MO ---- it has a charming MAIN ST. ------ side walk cafe, museums,art galleries, retaurants and B&Bs ----- we also have shuttle service ----call Rhona for details 636-946-0619

Cathy, it is the Rendleman Home B&B in Bluffton. Lets give credit where credit is due. I've heard nothing but good things about Doug.

The big rock is between Mokane and Portland. It stands straight up and has flood marks on
the east side half way up from previous years.

I'll be on the trail starting sept 27th.

My husband and I just finished a 7-day ride on the trail from Clinton to St. Charles and it was wonderful. We highly recommend the Hotel Frederick in Boonville--luxurious rooms at a reasonable price, especially on Sunday nights. Meyers' Hilltop Farm in McKittrick is absolutely charming and Maggie is a top-notch cook. Both she and her husband, Eldon, are as welcoming as the cozy Victorian decor. In Hermann, try the Hermannhoff Winery and talk with Billy, resident wine expert and raconteur extraordinaire. Another elegant B & B with a killer breakfast is Apple Gate Inn in Augusta. Although a bit pricier than other places we stayed, we were treated to a huge suite with a jacuzzi tub and a private balcony overlooking the trail. In St. Charles, you must stay at Lococo House, run by Rhona and Leo, two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. They treated us like family and offer a shuttle service in addition to a huge breakfast and Rhona's homemade "Goosefeathers" dessert. Have a fabulous ride and savor every moment! Jan and Jeff

Less then 2 weeks till Wife and I hit the Trail. Looking forward spending time out doors and in the fresh air!

There are many excellent places to stay and/or eat along the trail. The Hotel Bothwell and Ivory Grill in Sedalia. Glenn's Cafe and Hotel Frederick in Booneville. The General Store and Abigails in Rocheport. The Peers Store in Peers and the Augusta Brewery in Augusta are just a few. Avoid the Rendelman House in
Bluffton at all costs; nice stories are one thing but filthy accommodations are another.

The food at Dotty's in Hartsburg is great anytime of the day! Sorry you will miss the Pumpkin Festival. I agree Augusta is great little town to stop at. They make great sandwiches in Dutzow.

How are the tree's doing on the Katy Trail? Have they started turning colors yet? Only 6 more days and the Wife and I will be on the Trail. Thank you all for the comments and suggestions.

Going to be on the Katy this weekend also.....my guess is they are about like they are in Kansas City....it's usually a north to south progression. The Katy is predominately east of KC. There was very little Fall color on the RRVT trail west and north of Des Moines this past weekend.

Some of the softer wood trees are just beginning to turn. A maple in our back yard has a bit of color.