Augusta to St. Charles?

Now that all the "work" is done we have a few hours to enjoy St. Louis before catching the Amtrak back to our car. The park around the Arch is a nice place for a picnic - when it's cooler.

Caleb runs from the Longhorn!!!

Inside the "capsule" that takes you to the top. Does Matthew look a little worried?




The view from the Arch is awesome!

The Amtrak was the hit of the trip! Matthew and Caleb love trains! There were about 50 boy scouts headed to Philmont in New Mexico and Caleb visited with all of them. They could not believe he rode over 250 miles!

Zach is having fun too!




The KATY is 225 miles from end to end. Even though we finished a few miles from our original plan we rode 246 miles over the 6 days. We added a "spur" to Columbia which added about 25 miles. This is more miles than I have ever done in a week. I was a little worried that I might be pushing the boys too hard but they wanted to swim and play every day after our ride and still had energy to get back on the bike every morning.

Even though Karen was not with us, I would have to say this was the best week I have ever spent with my three boys. I am very proud of how they stuck with it even when the weather was terrible. They are already talking about next year - they want to do this and bring some friends or ride across another state.

Until next year!

Hermann to Augusta

We had a good night sleep at the Hermann Inn. We started about 8:30 this morning and had our first flat of the day less than a mile into the trip. Matthew and Caleb can't seem to miss a rock or pothole anywhere on the trail. Zach has not flatted yet but I have had one.

The boys still look good after more than 200 miles! I was a little concerned that this trip might wear them out but that has not been the case. I think I'm more worn out than they are after being in the saddle 4-5 hours each day.

There is quite a variety of flowers on the trial. Caleb wanted to pick one of each for Karen. He is really missing her. I have convinced him to let me take pictures instead of picking them all.

This is the scenic view from our campground at Klondike park. It was a great place to stay even though we did not have Air Conditioning or a bathroom in the cabin. There was a nice pond the boys tried to fill with rocks. Our friends from St. Charles suprised us with freshly baked Brownies and Ice Cold Milk! Thanks Tom, Lisa, Anna Kay and Reid!!!!

Matthew and Caleb feeding the fish one of our enegry bars.

Jefferson City to Hermann

This was our longest day 49.8 miles. Zachary wanted to circle the parking lot to hit 50 but decided not to. The picture below was the view behind us one hour into the ride. We awoke at 3:30 am to the tune of Tornado Sirens. There were 60 MPH winds and hail. We took shelter in the carport of a home near the trail for about an hour until the lightning stopped. Mom would not be happy if we were riding in this thunderstorm. The tailwind was real nice until the Hail started.
The DNR cut the fallen tree from the storm so we could pass. Glad we waited this on out!

Matthew is speeding along.

The end to a long day, this is the new bridge to Hermann, very nice! Hermann is a very nice town and would be a nice place to bring Mom, there are over 50 B&B in this little town.

Tomorrow we head to a Klondike Park, just past Augusta.

Columbia to Jefferson City

We watched the weather this morning and today was to be the Hottest Day of the Summer! Heat index of 107! Not something little ears should hear before hopping on their bikes. We had a hotel employee, Larry drive us back to the trail in his pickup. Severe Thunderstorms are expected late tonight, so we can't waste time. Matthew and Caleb are hunting for Toads. There was a section on the trail where we saw hundreds and hundreds of little toads hopping around. Some of them did not survive the passage.

Caleb wanted to get in on the photo opportunity.

Caleb takes a turn at the front of the line!

The little man is really moving now!

End of the trail for today. We had 2 flats today that really slowed us down. Tomorrow we head to Hermann - 43 miles! Should be cooler if the storms move in. We have logged 144 miles so far- these are some tough little guys I have been blessed with. We are over half way to St. Charles.

Fun at the Pool!

Boonville to Columbia

One word to sum up today "HOT" Even thought we left early we could not beat the heat. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Boonville, it was very nice and everyone was pleasant. The hotel is right at 1 mile from the trail and there is an Arby's next door where we had dinner. I don't know why the boys thought this was so funny. A tree had fallen into the trail and they were laughing for the next 10 min.




This is the Depot in Boonville, the building has been restored nicely and there is an old Caboose for kids to play on.

They want a picture at each Depot to document that the did the entire trail. They keep telling me "Dad - no one at school is going to believe we did this"

The trail is most scenic from Rocheport to Columbia. There are towering cliffs on one side and the Missouri River on the other.

Lots of good photo opps!

This is the entrance to the Lewis and Clark cave. Fortunately it is privately owned and entrance is prohibited!!!

After 37 miles in the saddle we called the Hotel (Holiday Inn Select) who promised a shuttle to pick us up at the trail head and were told that the battery was dead. The boys were real troopers riding another 6 miles. Matthew had our first flat, a piece of glass punctured his rear wheel.

It's now 8:30 and they are all sound asleep!

Tomorrow we head to Jefferson City.

Day 2

We left the Hotel about 7:30 according to the bank clock - it was 85 degrees and very humid. We all had a great night sleep at the Hampton and the boys were easy to wake at 6:30. We left our car at the Amtrak station in Sedalia. Zachary said that Sedalia reminds him of the town in "I am Legend", if you have seen the movie you know that this is not the nicest area! I hope the car is there when we get back.

The trail is in very good condition and was easier to ride on than I worried it might be. It is however a little harder to make speed on this surface than on the River trail where we have done most of our training.

We encountered quite a few animals today including two snakes(favorites), two turtles, a mole, many squirrels, cows, lizards, frogs and a many birds.

This seemed to be the most exciting aspect for the boys so far.

We had lunch in Pilot Grove at a nice place - Becky's Burgers and Cones. We all had burgers and cones and they were great and the service was even better. Caleb made friends with a couple of recent Mizzou grads.

After lunch we stayed for the County Parade where the boys picked up about 5lbs of candy. The Mayor was even there - see the picture on the 4 wheeler!

They were real troopers completing just over 37 miles at a whopping 8.5 mph.

We had dinner at Arby's next to the hotel after a nice dip in the pool and hot tub. We all miss Karen - she left us a message today and Caleb made me play it back 3 times.

We are headed to Columbia in the morning.

The Beginning

It has been very busy at the Winston household. Karen left for Romania yesterday and it was a little challenge getting everyone ready for work this morning.

Today was bring your kids to work day at Carlton Bates. We arrived early and the boys had a good time even though we did not stay for the movie.

We arrived in Clinton, Mo about 3:30 and the boys spent the first two hours in the pool before we went to Subway for dinner. Matthew told me he had never been to Subway - that seemed impossible to me??? Everyone loved the food and wants to come back on the return trip.

We are all very tired and going to hit the sack early. I sure hope that Karen can see this while she is in Romania - the boys really miss her.