Rock Island Trail Forum

The people that run Fern's are very nice. I was scheduled to stay there on my trip. The morning I was supposed to arrive I hurt my knee. I called to let them know I wouldn't be able to make it and find out how much I owed for cancelation on such short notice. They refused to charge me anything. I look forward to staying there on my next trip.

Don't do it!



I stayed at Fern's because of the above comment, and because I wanted the first night/morning of our trip to be nice. I think someone refunding your money when you cancel that day is nice but beware, as this place is bad news.



I would have to say the whole experience was a mixture of creepy and dissapointment. The creepy part started when we were shown to the B&B, which is a seperate house from where Fern stays. On our way in to the house, Fern offered us the information that it used to be a "drug house." Gee, what a comforting thought for my mom, as we enter our place to stay in this unformiliar town. I can only imagine the things she was thinking as she is naturally worried most of the time anyway!



Then she showed us the house. The TV in the front room was broken. (Not that we wanted to watch TV, but some may.) She showed us the two bedrooms, and said we could have both, as no one else was staying in the other room that night. (More on this sly trick later.) She also told my mom not to use the "roll-away" bed, as it was "uncomfortable." She then dropped off the keys, and left back to her house, and we never saw her again.



Continued below...

We unloaded our stuff, and went to grab a bite to eat at the local resturant, and when we got back, we found that Fern had gone out to get our "breakfast" for the morning. Apparently, Fern's idea of breakfast is to go to the Casey's across the street, and buy some packaged cinnamon rolls, some green bannanas, and milk and Sunny D to drink. To say that we were dissapointed at this was quite the understatement. This is not the kind of breakfast that can power you through the morning, and I knew it, but I managed to force down a few rolls anyway, as I knew I had to eat. (I HATE green bannanas.) Is it too much to ask to have some effort put into breakfast at a Bed and BREAKFAST. (However, Fern and Co. cannot even SPELL Breakfast...just look at the sign out front. They spell it "breakfeast!"...rediculous!)



More below...

Anyway, after getting that bite to eat I was talking about, we decided to rent two bikes for the people dropping us off, as Fern's also has bike rental. The creepyness continued as we introduced ourselves with a "Hi!" to the man renting the bikes, and he just looked seemingly right through us, and said nothing. I joked with my mom after he had passed that he was thinking, "Yes, come into my lair of bikes from whence you will never return..." At least we can still laugh... Please don't rent these bikes. BIG MISTAKE! They are Wally world bikes, and they have maitenence issues. Or if you do, take the time to look and make sure everything is okay with them. My brother's bike had a very rusty chain, and on my girlfriend's bike the seat was so loose that it shifted back and forth the whole time we were riding. The next few days, she had major pain from this. My brother's bike also had this problem, but not as bad. Bottom line, you should be able to ride a rental bike with no issues because they should all be in reasonable condition. I can imagine someone getting one of these bikes to ride the trail with, and getting out a few miles, only to have the seat come loose, and be out of luck. Not a pretty picture.



even more below...

I am not finished. I know this seems long, but this was truly a horrible experience, and I want to make it very clear to all that this place is not safe, and a bad choice. We returned from our ride, and started to get our stuff together for the next day, when my brother locked the front door, and, oops! The door pulled right open. We checked again, and tried to do what we could to push the door closed, but it would not stay shut. There was no deadbolt, and we were all just standing there in an old "drughouse" with no way to lock ourselves in, and one worried mom! So, we made a doorjam with a chair that was there, and tried our best to feel safe, although that was probably no easy task for mom, considering her being uneasy in the first place. Can you believe the front door wouldn't lock? I mean, come on! Is this really happening?



even more below...

Well, we made it through the night, and luckily, we had no crackheads trying to break in to get drugs, or maybe our doorjam worked? We will never know! But we left for our first day on the trail, and after awhile, my mom told me some disturbing information. We had set up our reservaion for 4 people with Fern on the phone. She told us we could use one of the Queen beds with a rollaway, and that the price was $70. Fine. Mom sent a $35 deposit to Fern before we left, and when we got there was about to pay the rest, so she said, "How much do I owe you?" She expected Fern to say another $35, but she said, "$105." So, she WAS going to charge us with both rooms! Well, my mom is non-confrontational, and accepted this, but I wish she would have just walked away. I contacted Fern about this, and she told me that she thought my mom said she wanted the other room. I said we had a verbal agreement for one room, this is evidenced by her accepting of $35 for the deposit. Then she told me it was silly to put 4 people in one room. Well, if it was so silly, why didn't she tell us that in the first place? I mean she is the one with the rooms, so she should have been able to say it was unworkable before we would have been there! Come on, Fern, do you really think we are dumb enough not to see a scam in progress? We trusted you and you let us down. If we would have had the option of staying in the Windsor motel for $40, or the B&B for $140, which would you think we would have chosen...

Next time you're looking for a place to stay around Windsor, try Cruces Cabooses. You get to spend the night in a refurbished train car, which is very cool and appropriate for the Katy Trail. Very private too.

Hey, anything that locks would be better than Fern's! We only avoided Cruse's because of the higher price, but in the end we ended up paying a rediculous $140 as explained above, so what's the point?!

I was very dissatisfied with the service and food at Goody's in Warrensburg. I went through the Goody's drive though on the evening of April the 23, 2005. To begin with, I spentapprox 25-30 minutes waiting in the drive through line. When I finally got to the window, the total on my order was outrageous. I asked for a receipt but I was informed there are none to give out. Upon arriving back at my residence, I looked at my shake in the light and the mix(strawberry) was not even mixed inot the vanilla ice cream. It was just glopped on top. Now, I have never had such terrible slow service and outrqageous prices for such terrible food. I think that Goody's should seriously consider how things are run in the Warresnburg store.

I was very dissatisfied with the service and food at Goody's in Warrensburg. I went through the Goody's drive though on the evening of April the 23, 2005. To begin with, I spentapprox 25-30 minutes waiting in the drive through line. When I finally got to the window, the total on my order was outrageous. I asked for a receipt but I was informed there are none to give out. Upon arriving back at my residence, I looked at my shake in the light and the mix(strawberry) was not even mixed inot the vanilla ice cream. It was just glopped on top. Now, I have never had such terrible slow service and outrqageous prices for such terrible food. I think that Goody's should seriously consider how things are run in the Warresnburg store.

Pathetic service - poor food you bet. "No goodies" is more like it.



Owner Tom Goodman should close the place for 1 week, retrain the staff, keep an adult on premises at all times and buy better quality food stuffs before they attempt to re-open.



Based on what I saw and what I was served, their food service rating should be "60/100" or below!!!

Pathetic service - poor food you bet. "No goodies" is more like it.



Owner Tom Goodman should close the place for 1 week, retrain the staff, keep an adult on premises at all times and buy better quality food stuffs before they attempt to re-open.



Based on what I saw and what I was served, their food service rating should be "60/100" or below!!!

When it first opened, the lines were very long.



Today I went for the first time & the service & food were good(for hamburger diner fare).

When it first opened, the lines were very long.



Today I went for the first time & the service & food were good(for hamburger diner fare).

I tried to eat there. Food was so bad - I had to pitch it. I left discussed. I will never be back.

I tried to eat there. Food was so bad - I had to pitch it. I left discussed. I will never be back.

i admit goody's food did suck until this past may when all but 2 employee's quit and new staff was hired including me as a manager since i've been working there i have been busting my butt trying to get the store a good rep and everyone i have asked told me about there bad time eating there well trust me it has changed food is now double checked before being served and everyone is treated right everyone still has one complaint the price well i dont know about you but im tired of frozen burgers at goody's we use fresh meat from bilo meat market ya a double burger at mcdonalds is a buck but i want real meat if there is any more changing you would like to see please email me you comments at jon62y@yahoo.com

i admit goody's food did suck until this past may when all but 2 employee's quit and new staff was hired including me as a manager since i've been working there i have been busting my butt trying to get the store a good rep and everyone i have asked told me about there bad time eating there well trust me it has changed food is now double checked before being served and everyone is treated right everyone still has one complaint the price well i dont know about you but im tired of frozen burgers at goody's we use fresh meat from bilo meat market ya a double burger at mcdonalds is a buck but i want real meat if there is any more changing you would like to see please email me you comments at jon62y@yahoo.com

and this relates to the Katy trail in someway?

and this relates to the Katy trail in someway?

Sure does! Warrensburg and the Katy Trail are both in the same state.

Sure does! Warrensburg and the Katy Trail are both in the same state.

the doll house in rhineland is great. and Amanda is awesome. on Aug 2 i started in st charles on my first trip on the katy trail. by the time i got to rhineland i was in need of a hearse. i was a little late but it didnt matter to amanda she had cold cold drinks and home cookies waiting. the house is super comfortable. i was able to wash clothes and just make myself at home. the next morning had a breakfast fit for a king and left when we were ready. THANKS Amanda. i will return.

I agree. Had the pleasure of staying at the Dollhouse last October and will definitely utilize it again on my next trip across the KATY.

We had a bad experience at the Katy Trail B&B in Rocheport. We stayed in the Katy View room. Their advertising is totally deceptive; The bed is a double, not queen, breakfast is a joke, the hot tub was filthy and slimy to the touch - not useable.



The trueman center in Jeff city is good; ask for Katy Trail discount, DON'T TRY TO RIDE ACROSS THE BRIDGE INTO JEFF CITY UNLESS YOU'RE SUICIDAL. This hotel will come to the trail head to pick you up.



Captain Woult in Hermann is a fantastic B&B. Hosts are great people. The bridge across the river is rideable - unlike Jeff City bridge.

Thanks, ML.

This place couldn't be a more friendly, welcoming place. The guest cottage is beautiful, the view is fantastic and the food is absolutely gourmet. We were treated like family and are already planning a return trip.

This place couldn't be a more friendly, welcoming place. The guest cottage is beautiful, the view is fantastic and the food is absolutely gourmet. We were treated like family and are already planning a return trip.

Does Windhomme Hill B&B have a website? I always like to view the available rooms.

Does Windhomme Hill B&B have a website? I always like to view the available rooms.

I ate at Glenn's last week with 9 other friends and it was fabulous! We had excellent service and food, and a very enjoyable evening! The Frederick is an amazing hotel that creates a unique atmosphere. I would highly recommend Glenn's and return in a heartbeat!

I ate at Glenn's last week with 9 other friends and it was fabulous! We had excellent service and food, and a very enjoyable evening! The Frederick is an amazing hotel that creates a unique atmosphere. I would highly recommend Glenn's and return in a heartbeat!

Allright... I love to bike and i just came across info on the Katy trail today (aug 7th) and I am excited just to see it...



Questions that I have about the trail are is it easy to follow? I mean do I seriously need to get a map to stay on track through the towns and cities?



When it comes to camping, do I need to camp at designated camp sites? or can I just throw a tent anywhere like the AT?



Are there periodic spots that offer free watter? Or do I need to pay to refil my camelbacks and watter bottles at every town?



I am at this point considering bikeing the trail from St. Charles to Clinton next monday(aug 13th), and planning on a 3-4 day casual ride.

if you can follow a 10 foot wide path of white crushed rock, you should have no problems at all. the only part may be through sedialia. you actually ride on part of the streets there. when i rode through sedalia, the were markers painted on the streets. that was 3 yrs ago. things may have chaged now. same with boonevile, but much easier. that is the only 2 towns i had any problem with, and it wasn't a problem. other wise, it is as i stated above. i have not ridden the entire trail, so ican't helps on the other towns. sorry.



camping?? i do not believe you can camp on the katy. you will need to call ahead and possibly make reservations at camp grounds or city parks.



water is available at most trail heads, and the majority of the businesses will fill you water bottle usually free.



have fun, be safe, and hope this helps, get a copy of brett dufurs katy trail guide book. it is a wealth of information. use this web site for all it has to offer.

Below are comments from a thread last August re water availabiltiy at the trailheads (didn't know how to put a link to the actual thread). Looks like it't going to be a VERY hot and humid week next week. Stay hydrated and have fun.



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YOU CAN WATER AND DRINKS AT:

AUGUSTA, MATSON, DEFIANCE, ST. CHARLES

THERE IS NO WATER AT:

WELDON SPRINGS, GREENSBOTTOM, BLACK WALNUT, OR MACHENS

- posted 8/28/2006 7:54:29 AM



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Thanks so much! As far as the western end of the trail. The following trailheads have water: Clinton, Calhoun (trailhead is not visible from trail, up a slight hill), Windsor (sometimes has a sulfer smell but OK to drink), Green Ridge, Sedalia, Pilot Grove, and Boonville.

- posted 8/28/2006 9:47:00 AM



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We should differentiate between trailheads that have public water access and those that of machines or stores. I have never found public access water at Defiance, Matson or Augusta. One can certainly purchase beverages at Defiance and Augusta.

- posted 8/28/2006 11:07:34 AM



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ACTUALLY THERE IS NO WATER AVAILABLE FROM MATSON TO THE EAST END OF THE TRAIL AT MACHENS. PREVIOUSLY I INCLUDED THE AREAS THAT HAVE DRINKS FOR PURCHASE. ALSO, THERE IS A WATER SPICKET ON THE EAST END OF THE BIKE SHOP IN AUGUSTA. HEADING WEST YOU WILL FIND A WATER FOUNTAIN AT DUTZOW AND ANOTHER ONE AT MARTHASVILLE. NOTHING AT TRELOAR, MCKITTRICK, PORTLAND.

- posted 8/29/2006 7:23:25 AM

I stayed at the "Doll House" two nights while exploring the KATY Trail, and enjoyed the facility very much. After riding all day in the August heat and humidy, the cold lemonade and comfort of the B & B was a life saver. I highly recommend staying there.

I stayed at the "Doll House" two nights while exploring the KATY Trail, and enjoyed the facility very much. After riding all day in the August heat and humidy, the cold lemonade and comfort of the B & B was a life saver. I highly recommend staying there.

I've stayed at the Doll House twice and highly recommend staying there! Amanda is a wonderfull hostess, the rooms are big and comfy, we had fresh cookies on arrival, and the Trailside Bar and Grill across the road serves great food!

I've stayed at the Doll House twice and highly recommend staying there! Amanda is a wonderfull hostess, the rooms are big and comfy, we had fresh cookies on arrival, and the Trailside Bar and Grill across the road serves great food!

What has happened to this place? It's always been one of my favorite places to eat while biking through Rocheport, I've recommend it several times on this site. Saturday we stopped in for lunch and it was a very bad experience. After waiting for about 10 minutes for a waitress, {and they were not very busy}, the waitress walks up to take our order and that's when it turned bad. When asked what the soup was she told us chilled cucumber and then another kind she did'nt know what it was called. When we asked her what it was she said she did'nt know, and when my brother-in-law asked if it had vegetables in it she said yeah I think so. Well we decide against soup and ordered salads, to which she replied, we are out of lettuce but we're going to making some. We then ordered sandwiches and a pizza for my nephew. About ten minutes later she comes back to our table and says yeah I forgot to tell you we are out of pizzas. I told her to cancel the order and she says the whole order. We left and went to the Trailside Cafe and Bike Shop and had a tasty cheeseburger. I sure hope they get their act together because I have always enjoyed eating there in the past.

We were refused service both times that we tried to go to the General Store, although we were still within their posted hours. So your experience only confirms ours. We have no intention of attempting to go here again, in spite of the other positive comments we have seen. It's just not worth the time, just to be refused.

Wow! I am surprised to hear this. I had one of the best sandwiches I have ever had there, the Rocheport sandwich (Muffetta?) which had an olive spread that was just rediculous! The veggie soup was just...oh...mmmmm. Then, peach and blueberry cobbler. Perfect.



We had good service, and I would like to stop back in there if I am ever through again. I am sure glad I didn't have one of those experiences because I wouldn't have ever met that sandwich...

I ate at the general store a few days ago. I had a great grilled cheese sandwich and pie/plus drink. It was very good. I was surprised to read your posting as we found it to be extrememly nice and clean and provided a great "cool" break from the summer heat. I recommend it to others.

I have stopped there several times and always had a great experience. It is very neat and clean and the atmosphere has always been great. I had read other post about bad experiences there and always questioned them, but as I said in my earlier post my last time there was awful. I know everybody has a bad day, but if it was my business I would want to make sure no one experienced what I did. I'll give it one more try and I hope things are better.

Polly's B&B was a joy. My father and I stayed there on August 2 and had a wonderful time. We planned on leaving from Polly's at 6:00 a.m. to begin riding to Hartsburg, and Polly awoke well beforehand and by 5:30 a.m. had pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, cereal, toast, and orange juice ready for us.



Her home is comfortable and the stay both entertaining and relaxing. Polly is a wealth of information about the surrounding area.



Both her service and her hospitality were much appreciated. Any overnight trip along the Katy Trail should include a night's stay at Polly's.

I noticed the baggage restrictions on Amtrak and it listed recumbents and tandems. I wrote Amtrak a note and I got a sortof reply. They didn't say no but they didn't say yes. I was hoping to use the in train car bike rack to make the trip from Krikwood to Sedalia. Has anyone successfully taken a recumbent on Amtrak? Mine is a short wheel base and it fits in most bike racks. I will not have the resources to box my bike for the trip back to my start and was going to ride the train.

I think you probably can take the recumbent. The only snag I foresee is it there are other bikes. The place where you put the bikes is just a spot that they remove the seats (unless that's changed since I last rode the train). And be prepared for delays.

Also, you could add Couplers. If you could fold the bike in half, you can probably put it in a convenient box! It would cost a few hundred bucks, but eliminates above worries...



P.S. Go bent!

Jsample is correct. We just leaned our bikes up against another one in the front of the train car. We were surprised it was so easy. I think Amtrak is just happy to have the customers these days, so I bet they don't give you a hard time.

Our bike club is planning a trip starting September 26th for about 6 or 7 days riding west to east. We will be following the proposed itinerary to camp our way across the Katy as suggested by John James in the back of Brett Dufur's book. Our question is, will we have to call ahead for camp sites or possibly a B and B at this time of year? Thanks so much for the input. Lynn, Mansfield, Ohio

Not knowing who else is on the trail and where....or how many are in your group or theirs......it is always wise to call ahead and know that you have accomodations when you arrive, no matter where you travel.

September is a very busy time on the trail - usually. I strongly recommend reservations.

Dutzow is a very safe Farm community, it would be ok to leave a locked car overnight for sure

I would like to ride from St. Charles to Alton, Ill., and then connect to trails from there to take me to the Arch in St. Louis. My plan thus far would be to cross the river via the ferry at Porteges de Souix, and connect to the Vadalabene trail in Alton, then the MCT confluence trail to Chain of Rocks Bridge, then along the Riverfront to the Arch.



Can anyone tell me about 94, and how safe it is for cycling? Any other ways to get to Alton that are more safe than 94 for cycling?

The new segment of the trail to Machens should be open fairly soon. It can be used now if you are willing to ride on grass/dirt for a few miles. Machens is on Hwy 94 which leads to 367(?) that leads to the bridge to Alton. It is a newish bridge, but I couldnt attest to wether it has a bike/ped lane. Another option might be the ferry that crosses the Mississippi in that area. Is it the Portage des Sioux? It has been 30 years since I lived in that area, so I am shaky on the details. Anyone have any better info?

Thanks GC...



I would really rather avoid the dirt/grass, so I am really looking into 94, but I really need to know what the traffic is like...



I am also wandering how we find the ferry in Porteges de Souix, and how much it will cost...any info anyone?

I have a group that will be going from Jefferson City to St Louis in Oct. We have gotten alot of good info from Momentum Cycles in St Charles as far as riding on the roads and crossing on the ferry. Pere Marquette State Parks reservation desk also gave some great options for taking not one but two ferries. We also got a great visitor guide from Alton and bike maps from Madison County Transit. Also check the web site www.confluencegreenway.org for more info on the Illinois trails and points of interest.

I called the cycle shop and a lady answered who didn't know much about that particular ferry, but had taken one in the area for $4, so I think it should be a similar fee for us. She did tell me about highway 94. She said traffic was light but fast. For my mom and I this is much more up our alley than riding through St. Louis...thanks for your help Jeanne and the unidentified perwon! You all have been a huge help for us!

MY Mom and i are going to be taking the katy trip from clinton to st charles on september 14-20, any suggestion on what to stop and see? also anyone knows what the weather is like that time of year please let me know, FYI you will know us by the american flag on the back of my Redline Conquest, stop and say a shout would love to chat with ya, im sure we will be stopping in every town along the way, also where are some good places to get t shirts and stuff, kinda a collector of bike shop shirts, thanks for your help

Try using the “Plan a Ride” feature of this website by clicking on the “Plan a Ride” button above. There, select Points of Interest, Bike Rental, Bike Repair, etc. to help you figure out where you might find something that you'd like to see or where to pick up a trail tee. The depot in Sedalia would be a good stop for you to find Katy memorabilia. Also, clicking on the “Guidebook” button above, you will find the Katy Trail Guidebook by Bret Dufur. It is a very valuable resource for the first timer as well as those of use who frequent the trail.



From the homepage of this site, scroll down to “Weather Alert” and then click on the link for Missouri average temperatures for your weather information. It will probably be very similar to the weather that you experience in Gladstone.



Basically, spend some time surfin this website. It too, is a very valuable tool in planning a trip. Plan in advance……and enjoy your ride.

Hi guys.



I have decided to give the shoe leather a break for a while and see how things work out on two wheels, but I am admittedly a greenhorn. So I bought a cheap bike (Wallyworld) to test out before I make a bigger investment. So I have a question:



I recall a posting or three on here about tire treatments for the trail. It seems there was either an insert (kevlar, slime, something else?) that some folks were using that made tires virtually invulnerable to the trail... anyone remember that thread?



Thanks for your help

Use the Search button above and Google this site for puncture..kevlar...tire, or the like and you will find several threads and a good "article" by a poster on the tire issue and various tire choices.

Use a full dosage of Slime.

This will add a pound or two of weight to the Wally World bought bike but thats OK with the firm knowlage that you won't get a flat.



With bike touring its all about comfort so I would set a realistic expectation that your bike set up should be comefortable at least a couple of hours, then the usual suspects will set in like a sore back, neck,

legs (sometimes the hands).



Best of luck!