In Sedalia, free long-term parking for Katy Trail riders is available at the Katy Depot. We pulled into a large gravel lot on east side of the building and let a loitering park ranger know we'd be leaving our car here for a few days. He suggested we back right in under a big shade tree for the week. Sounds good.
Parked and ready to roll - Take 2!
Sedalia's Victorian-style depot now serves as a welcome center and gift shop. I was planning to buy Tom a Katy Trail patch for his panniers once our trip was complete, but they only had one left, so I went ahead and nabbed it, warning Tom he can't have it unless and until we finish the ride. Incentive!
Sedalia Katy Depot
Sedalia Katy trailhead
So day 2, take 2, let's try this again. Machens or bust! The Katy Trail is known for being very flat, but in reality, the 75 westernmost trail miles from Clinton to Boonville pass over a series of undulating hills. It's not until the trail meets the Missouri River at Boonville that the next 165 miles are flat as a pancake.
Tom on the trail
Up an undulating hill
The long, low hills were a lot more work than I anticipated, but the weather was fantastic, the views were scenic, and we just kept plugging away. Can't wait for that flat part! Starting tomorrow, it's gonna be smooth sailing.
Jana on an iron truss bridge
Tom in a corrugated metal tunnel
Turtle on the trail
And also a copperhead!
We stopped for lunch in Pilot Grove at Deon's Bar & Grill, where we feasted on some well-earned cheeseburgers. When the waitress asked how our ride was going, we mentioned yesterday's shredded tire. She then told us that Ebby at Pro-Velo is her uncle. Small world!
Deon's Bar & Grill, Pilot Grove
Today's ride was pretty slow going, but we rolled up to the Boonville Visitor Center and River, Rails and Trails Museum at 4:10. Too bad they close at 4:00. But Tom inquired at the still-unlocked door, and they let us come in and look around. I'd just finished a book about Lewis and Clark's journey up the Missouri River and wanted to see the museum's half-scale replica of the expedition's keelboat. Thanks for letting us in!
River, Rails and Trails Museum
Half-scale keelboat replica
Made it to Boonville
The Boonville Katy Depot is the only surviving Spanish-style depot along the trail. As usual, they have a caboose sitting right out front. Trains rarely use cabooses anymore, so there's an abundance of them sitting idle all over the country. Fix one up, and it makes a great rail-trail decoration.
Boonville Katy Depot
MKT caboose
Lodging: Santa Fe Hideaway airbnb, a one-bedroom apartment in a guy's walk-out basement, just two blocks from the trail. We were welcome to roll our bikes right in the door. It's nice to be able to leave the panniers on the bikes overnight – makes for a quicker getaway in the morning. This laid-back lair was one of my favorites.
Santa Fe Hideaway airbnb, under the aqua awning
Room for our rides
In Boonville, the Katy Trail finally meets the Missouri River. The old train bridge has been preserved, but it's not currently in a condition to cross it. Funds are being raised for restoration, with hopes that it will one day be open to pedestrians and cyclists. Presently, you can walk a short ways onto the bridge to enjoy the river views.
Boonville Katy Railroad Bridge
Current walkway
West toward the setting sun
Highway bridge across the mighty Missouri
We were both beat, so we chose a restaurant by its close proximity – Brew Brothers, inside the Isle of Capri Casino. The lasagna was good, and there were a couple of decent Missouri beers on tap, but the ambiance was generic casino anywhere. Yawn. We had one beer each, ate, and left.
We'd hoped to get a six-pack before retiring for the night, but the only store nearby was a gas station. The beer selection was so bad, we skipped it entirely. Such are the perils of not having a car! Oh, well, we'd do without for one night.
Day 2 mileage: 36 miles