6 am in the lobby with an underwhelming breankfast of hard-as-a-rock bagels, ok muffins, and coffee only.
Flat tire #1. Thank goodness Billie and Donna were nearby with their tools, tubes, and expertise. Then along came Brian with a floor size pump and muscles.
Less than 1/2 mile later, flat #2. No Brian this time. I am so grateful Billie and Donna know what they’re doing.
Fine dining on the 4th of July when many cafes around here are closed.
Tonight we are in Boonville! Miles = 37 and we are all very tired.
Sort of the opposite of lunch, we ate at the buffet at the casino.
Full belly, tired body, it must be bedtime. But it’s only 6:30.
Author Archives: arletelouise
Katy Trail: Day 1
Clinton. 6:30 am, 69 degrees. Time to ride.
Donna found a wallet alongside the road.
The beginning of the Katy Trail.
We found a phone number in the wallet and called. Ted drove to the next town on the trail to meet us and pick up his wife’s wallet.
Today’s ride was uphill for portions (7mph) then downhill (13mph). I thought this “High Point 955 feet” would be good news since the temperatures were climbing and tree cover was more sparse, but no. The ups and downs continued. 
Look. The perfect Topeak panniers were available in small town Sedalia. The owner, Jason, also fixed an annoying rattle on Donna’s bike.
A beer at Fitter’s was next on the list.
Third was a nice shower at Hotel Bothwell. Miles = 41. I’ll sleep good tonight.
Shuttle to Clinton
Due to a bit of miscommunication, I arrived with no panniers. Oops. Solution: borrow Donna’s small duffle and 3 bungees from Rona.
Big delicious breakfast.
Three Surly’s with 55 lbs psi ready to go. Larry, our shuttle driver, and Billie carefully loaded the bikes. 
The adventure begins
Billie & Donna drove from Virginia & picked me up at the airport. We stayed at Lococo House, a B&B in St Charles. Rona was so welcoming and friendly. 
Continue reading
Grandma’s Cooking School: Ultra Chocolately Brownies
Sophia is away at camp this week. Avery chose Ultra Chocolately Brownies to make today. Lauren really didn’t want to butter the pan with her fingers, but she persevered.
Avery is so good at cracking eggs into the bowl.
While they baked, time to play.
They did NOT end up in a pile like this at the bottom, they staged this picture and I was asked to take about 10 shots.
The brownies were delicious, very fudgy.
Thursday @ Merrilyn’s
I think Merrilyn called today a Tartapalooza. She made Tomato Gruyere Tart on a pie-crust base. I made Artichoke Feta Tart and a variation with roasted red peppers and black olives on puff pastry.
For dessert, Phyl made Oreo Mousse Parfaits. 
Because our usual photographer (Merrilyn’s husband Bob) wasn’t back from his errands in time, we took multiple pictures of us in pairs. I will have to show Merrilyn and Phyl which button to press to take a picture because this is the only picture that was on my camera (lol):
Testing testing
Is it possible to blog with only my cell phone and tiny keyboard?
Out of the oven and ready for Thursday at Merrilyn’s later today.
Coffee with Ade
Always a good thing.
Sophia’s swim practice
The most enthusiastic person who goes to swim practice is Avery. Even when Sophia isn’t feeling well, he suggests she come along anyway and sit in a nearby chair so he can do his own swim practice. His skills are improving within his 8-foot-square corner of lane 1.
We make a couple of rotations from big pool to hot tub (no bubbles please) to baby pool (where he swims more like a hippo, feet and hands touching the bottom when needed.
Meanwhile in lane 8, Sophia persevered. She really is a good swimmer.
Luau party
Phyl and I went to a Luau party this evening at the clubhouse.
Almost everyone wears a name tag which eliminates the problem of remembering names. Table 4:
Really good food catered by Hannibal’s.
Entertainment.
Audience participation.
arletelouise 