There was a Keurig-style coffee maker right outside our room, but after making one cup, the darn thing failed. Keely couldn't get it working, so Lee jumped in and made us each an espresso to start our day off right. Crisis averted! The cats of the house, Bruno and Mars, joined us in the dining room.
Tom and Mars
Bruno helps me pack
Gorgeous orchid
The ride back through Hermann was an uphill climb, but we switched to a low gear and it wasn't too bad. Crossing the bridge, we stopped to enjoy the view of Hermann and the Missouri River, since yesterday in the almost-rain we'd rushed right by.
Hermann Fire Department No. 1
Tom on the Hermann Bridge
Gasconade County Courthouse
Muddy Missouri River
Side trail to/from the bridge bike lane
After two back-to-back 50ish-mile days, we were pretty happy to only be facing 30 or so miles today, which we planned to pedal at a very leisurely pace. The weather couldn't be any nicer, 72 and sunny and almost no wind. Woohoo!
Don't forget the sunscreen
Calming creek
We had lunch at the Treolar Bar & Grill, where I forced myself to order something other than yet another cheeseburger. The chicken wraps were great, and so was the service. This was a happening little place on a Saturday, with a few cyclists and lots of locals.
Treolar Bar & Grill
Another old bank
Jana and the giant corn!
The Glosemeyer General Store operated in the community of Peers for 116 years, from 1896 to 2012. Two years after its closing, the building was purchased by the Katy Land Trust, which re-opened its doors in 2015 as the Peers Store, an art gallery and gift shop with live music on the porch on the weekends.
Peers Store
Katy Trail State Park official logo
We enjoyed the music as we – along with one of the musicians – helped a couple of unprepared day-riders change a flat tire. They were able to buy a spare tube in the little store, and I provided the tools. I'm not carrying around an air compressor for nothing! Pro tip: Next time, maybe set up your bike repair in a shady spot.
Impromptu repair
The place we're staying tonight is out in the country, a couple of miles past Marthasville, so we decided to pick up a six-pack on our way through town. We'd hoped for cans, but the better beer was in bottles, so we loaded our panniers with glass and rode carefully on our way.
Old Marthasville Hardware Co.
Lodging: Hazel's House airbnb, a double-wide trailer located right on the Katy Trail, 2 ½ miles east of Marthasville. Our host, Danielle, had left us a key, but she pulled up as we arrived, and we had a nice chat. The two-bedroom trailer was comfortable and neat as a pin. We were invited to pull our bikes into the detached garage, but we felt secure leaving them right outside the trailer.
Hazel's House airbnb
Rural decor
For dinner, we rode to the Lake Creek Winery, less than a mile away. The winery is at the top of a hill, so we locked our bikes to a fence near the bottom and walked up the steep gravel driveway.
Lake Creek Winery
Outdoor seating
We each had a flight of their four driest reds. We liked the pinot noir the best. If we'd had a car, we would have purchased a bottle or two to take home. For food, we chose pulled pork sandwiches with German potato salad. It was a lovely evening.
Communion flight
Lake Creek vineyard
Adjoining pasture
Day 5 mileage: 31.3 miles