Huntsdale/Katfish Katy's

Made it in around 7 P.M., long day. Nice people but you can see the Campground really took a beating from the flood. Half the sites were closed because of the high water but I got one on the northside of the levee. I laid out my wet tent to dry in the breeze, ate, and got a spectacular shot of the sun setting over the Missouri. That picture is a keeper! The tent was just getting dry around 8 PM when it started raining again. Got the tent up, hung my food bag from a tree (don't carry enough for me & the animals), and all the other gear inside the tent when the rain hit. Smart move packing the sponge. I was able to dry out most of the tent on the inside by using the sponge. Hey, at least my sleeping pad and blanket are dry. I enjoyed a very quiet night once the rain stopped. I had to look out twice to make sure there were other campers. Nice end to a long, wet, 17 miler.

Rocheport

I'm on the way from New Franklin to Huntsdale and all hell has broken loose. It's pouring rain and I'm soaked. I'm glad I took the extra day at the Roundhouse to rest. I am in awe of the bluffs around Rocheport. The railroad tunnel is a sight that will bring me back soon with my wife and son to enjoy. It looks like Rocheport had a tough time with the flooding. The trail was lined with sandbags and you can see how high the water rose in some places. Still a beautiful town. I arrived at the trail head and changed into some dry clothes. I ate at the little diner across from the trail head. It was super! I only paid $6.00 for a lunch so large I couldn't finish it. What a surprise it was when the door opened and in walks the Boy Scout troop from the Roundhouse! They were trying to get a good day of wet biking in. Greetings were passed, I finished lunch and headed out to Huntsdale and Katfish Katy's.

New Franklin

Finally made it through Boonville to New Franklin and the Katy Roundhouse Campground. I have to admit that I was pretty beat when I got here. Today's walk of 23 miles, coupled with my 20 miler the day before, was too long, too hot, and too inclined. I paid my money, pitched the tent, and had a hearty dinner of Ramen Noodles. It didn't take me long to fall asleep that night. The next day was a rest day because Jill was meeting me to replenish my food supplies. Sometime during the night a Boy Scout troop had arrived a few campsites over and I didn't know it. That's called a good nights sleep. I slept in and took a nice shower in the bathhouse. This is a beautiful campground, lots of history. The remnants of an old roundhouse are still there, I hope the pictures turn out. Jill arrived, dropped off some great snacks and dehydrated food. It started to rain later that night, had zero probems sleeping.

Well it's 7:30 and still raining hard. I packed everything but the tent so I could go as soon as the rain lets up. It's now 9:00 and down to a light drizzle. I thought that if I'm going to be wet I might as well be wet on the trail. On to Hartsburg and Katfish Katy's.

Boonville

I have to laugh about Boonville. It was all uphill and never ending. I really started to question whether moving on past Pilot Grove was such a good decision. I finally got my long awaited descending hill. Lots of friendly people, but man was that a long walk. Crossing over I-70 was a motivator. I've seen the overpass from the highway quite a few times, it was a great experience to be on the bridge watching traffic go by. I stopped at the trailhead and took a long break. The old station here is really neat. I was surprised when the railroad crossing bell started pinging at the top of the hour. I decided to move on to New Franklin since I came this far. The Boonville Bridge was a sight to see. I never thought there could be a railroad bridege that raised and lowered to facilitate barge traffic. I heard they want to tear the bridge down. I hope they keep it, too much unusual history. I 'll be sure and share the pictures and description of the bridge with my history students. On to New Franklin.

Pilot Grove

Pilot Grove is a very nice trailhead. There's a small market across the street that came in handy for a nice cold drink. You can resupply on your water here and read some interesting historical background about this small town posted on the boards on the kiosk. I was going to camp in the city park except I arrived at 1:00. I hate hanging out for 8 hours so I decided to move on to Boonville.

Night of Day 4

I had permission to camp at the Pleasant Green Methodist Church for the night. I've never camped in a cemetery so this will be different. It was very quiet in this rural cemetery, woke up to thunder and lighting flashes but no rain. Stepped out of the tent and looked North where it looked like one heck of a storm. I heard thunder and saw lighting flashes in the clouds but too far away to see bolts. The local radio station said to take immediate cover. The first thing I did was whip out the cell phone to call Jill and let her know I had made it to the cemetery and call my point of contact (I didn't have the number on me)so someone knew I was there. No signal! I took shelter in my tent. There wasn't any rain or hail but the wind hit about 60 mph, per the radio. The wind really shook the tent but only lasted about 5 minutes. Tomorrow on to Pilot Grove.

Sedalia Day 4

Campground is great. Found a nice shaded area and even provided live entertainment for the entire campground. Winds out of the SW at 11-15 mph. There I am trying to pitch my lightweight hiking tent in a moderate wind. Finally took the tent between 2 buildings, erected it (rain fly and all) and carried it to my spot where I staked it down. Sedalia is a beautiful town, the old Rail Depot is definately a place you should go see. Went from Sedalia to mile marker 211. 18.9 miles. My overnight just pastClifton City is a night I'll remember.

Notes from day 2 - 6

FROM DOUG: Stayed in Sedalia on day 2 at hotel. My calves felt like jelly, couldn't walk the one block from the trailhead to Green Ridge Park where I'd planned to camp. Took a cab to Sedalia. Stayed in with both legs propped on ice bags. I really felt like calling the whole thing off. Went back to Green Ridge the next morning to pick up where I'd left off for day 3 (June 6). Walked to Sedalia Fairgrounds. Still needed ice but legs seemed okay. I got a great sunburn! The trail here is long and has a steady mile + incline.

Day 5 - June 8

Tonight Doug is settled in at the Katy Roundhouse Campground - mile 189.1. He has traveled 75.5 miles in his first 5 days - and is one day ahead of schedule. Tomorrow he will hang out at the Katy Roundhouse and I will meet up with him to restock some of his supplies, including another paperback. It's pretty quiet in the evenings and with no t.v. or computer - he's going to be getting in a lot of reading. I will be bringing home some pictures to post from his first few days on the trail.

Day 1 - June 4

Well, Doug hit the trail at 7:40 this morning at the Clinton trail head. The weather was perfect! 70s and sunny. He had 16.6 miles to hike to his first stop, Farrington Park (a little city park that allows overnight camping) in Windsor, MO.
From Doug: 1st part good but not a lot of shade; very sunny. Slow 6+ mile incline from Calhoun to Windsor. Really beat when I arrived; sore shoulders & calves. Next 2 days are 10 milers, good chance to recover.

Here we go!!!

Change of plans, leaving Monday. My wife will update the blog as I call them in, hope to see you in Machens on the 23rd.