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newbie one from Atlanta GA on 5/14/2012 10:51:08 AM:
Hello All, My wife and I are planning our first Katy Trail ride. We are wide open as far as an itinerary and have about 5 days. We would drive out from ATL so we would have a vehicle. Any advice for the most picturesque segment (we would need lodging) would be appreciated.
 
SalsaBoy on 5/14/2012 3:37:32 PM:
Park on the Riverfront in St. Charles, Amtrak it to Sedalia, and have at it from there. Lots of good places along the way, but I'd recommend that one of the places you stay is at "The Little House" in Marthasville. Good food and drink there too. If you camp, Pilot Grove, New Franklin, Hartsburg, and others have good places to stay, good food, beer, etc.
 
Anonymous on 5/14/2012 4:30:16 PM:
There is not an Amtrak station in St Charles is there? I thought if you parked in St Charles the closest station would be in Kirkwood.
 
SalsaBoy on 5/14/2012 5:25:10 PM:
Taxi/hotel shuttle, or just find a way to Kirkwood from St. Charles. It won't be that much $. That is a better option to me than going to somewhere like Washington. Plus, I wouldn't want to skip the eastern part of the trail.
 
Haank from New Haven Mo on 5/15/2012 7:11:04 AM:
I would agree, catch Amtrak in Kirkwood and go to Sedalia. Ride from Sedalia to St. Charles, get back to Kirkwood via Page Bridge. If you are not cut out for that kind of mileage, I would suggest Amtrak from Hermann to Sedalia. Ride the trail 120-some miles back to Hermann at a leisurely pace. Spend a night in Columbia via MKT spur trail.Hermann would be a nice place to end the ride.
 
DSD on 5/17/2012 7:52:02 AM:
If you do not want to bother with the trains and you do have an auto, I would park and start at Jeff City and go west with the option to go up to Columbia on the spur then continue west to Boonville and if you can make it to Sedalia and turn around an head back to Jeff City. Many options to stop along the way and you can turn around anytime too. There are several B&B's and hotels in this area. Better scenic part of the trail.
 
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