Haank from New Haven, MO on 8/22/2012 5:38:38 AM:
October is prime time so the weekends for sure must be reserved. In many towns the total bed count is pretty slim so you don't want to be scrambling. However the weeknights are usually a different story. My recommendation is to keep a list of phone numbers of likely spots handy, and once you know where you will be for sure then call ahead earlier that day. I would not show up unannounced on an October weekend. Also, as noted in another thread, Mizzou Tigers football on October weekends can fill beds in a huge radius from Columbia. So do a little extra planning and your trip will be better. Enjoy!