We got to Sedalia around 1245 PM and we noticed the clouds were thickening. I looked at the radar and saw a storm moving north of us, but what radar didn't show was the drizzle that was falling in Sedalia. We got off the train, put on our bike shoes and helmet and traveled 5 blocks to the 5th Street Pub and Grill where we ate lunch. People on the streets were very friendly to us, waving at us, telling us hello, it's really a bike friendly town.
Lunch was great, and while we ate, the drizzle got heavier and heavier. By the time we finished eating, the streets were wet and we decided to put on our jackets and brave the rain. But before we left Sedalia, we found a bit of trivia...Sedalia is within 500 miles of 20 states...okay, I didn't say it was useful trivia, but none the less...trivia.
The Katy Trail is not a direct rails to trails in Sedalia. One has to follow the signs on the roads to get through town. I mean literally follow the signs on the road...the signs were ON THE ROAD, painted. But they were well marked, and soon we were on our way, drizzle and all. The trail was crushed limestone, hard packed in most areas. The trail took us through pasture lands, cattle fields, under roads, above roads and over roads. We traveled 36 miles from Sedalia to Boonville in about 3 hours. This part of the trail was the hilliest, although the hills were gradual, it almost seemed as if there were no down hills, ha!
One community we went through was Clifton City, MO. Clifton was known as the devil's half acre in the 1800s because of a man that was selling bad wiskey made of new or raw corn. This is also where Jesse James had a hold out...where they were hiding.
As we have been riding and going through these small communities, the Missouri State Parks, which the Katy Trail is the longest and biggest state park in the country, enriches the trail with history.
Our destination today was Boonville, 36 miles from Sedalia. We were glad to see Boonville, and in particular, the Hotel Frederick. This is an historic hotel that has been renovated. It is BEAUTIFUL! We are in one of the best rooms that overlooks the Missouri River. The room is amazing, almost a suite, but not quite. I guess coming from Atlanta, $127 doesn't seem like much for a room, I definitely think we are getting our moneys worth.
We were told that the lounge had a good dinner and they also had live music. We went down there, and I have to admit I was sceptical about the food...and the entertainment. Let me say we were pleasantly surprised. Although the food didn't sound like much, it was more like tapas than anything, it was amazing...and filling for us bikers! The entertainment was a guy in the his 60s singing old time country music. While this is not my style, and although he was mediocre, we were entertained. And while we were listening and eating, the hostess and the what I believe was the singer's wife, gave us a bowl of fresh tomatoes to eat along with homemade jalapeno poppers which were delicious. All to say we had a pleasant evening, along with other Katy Trail bikers that were enjoying the show.
Like I said, we did 36 miles today and this was our short day. Tomorrow will be my first metric century (62 miles)...fortunately it is very flat, and from what I read, a 0.5% grade which follows the Missouri River.
Our legs didn't get sore, but our butts did! I really need to get a softer seat...or more junk in my trunk!
We will be staying at a hostel tomorrow evening so I don't know if I will be able to make an entry, but keep watching for it tomororw evening just in case.
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