6 am breakfast with eyes on the window.6:30 am: rain.An hour later, we had to leave. At least the rain had turned to a light sprinkle. The Missouri River:It began to rain harder, the next 12 miles would be somewhat miserable.Lewis and Clark camped here on June 6, 1804:Donna is quite the wildlife spotter: owls, deer, mystery rodent with 12 babies, frogs, and turtles. All of which I’m oblivious to, so she stopped to point out the third turtle of the day.

We left the Katy Trail to take the 9-mile spur to Columbia. Our hotel for the next two nights:Filthy bikes:Before going to our room:While Donna and I trudged in the rain one mile to a laundromat, Billie waited on our balcony…We Uber’d back! Miles = 31.

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.

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.