St. Charles to Columbia...

Wednesday's couples were coincidentally both biking the Katy on the same route.
Nan Bocherty and husband David from Ohio wanted to make a fun trip out of a visit to see their daughter who is attending Mizzou (University of Missouri in Columbia), so they decided to ride the Katy for 3 days staying at BnBs along the way. And Jamie Crist along with boyfriend Tyler planned the same route for different reasons. Tyler lives in St. Charles and is the football coach at Lindenwood University there, and Jamie is a senior at Mizzou studying education and earth sciences. What a fun way to commute from city to city, via the Katy Trail.

The Morning After...

Here are some our TN and MN gang having coffee on the porch before breakfast and then all together before they hit the road again...our Minnesota bunch is going to tour the Daniel Boone Home before they get back on the trail.
Happy trails guys! And have a great trip home.

Almost Fargo...

And here is our Minnesota bunch...Patti and Tom Lawson and Brad and Lou Ann Burgerson. Not to say that these guys aren't busy too...in addition to their "regular lives" Tom and Brad are major bikers and have done some serious bike trips together. Lou Ann told me that Brad has done a number of cross country trips, she drops him off and picks him up from coast to coast!
P.S. Thank's for helping out Rob with his eye problem Tom!

T is for Tennessee..

Here is our Tennessee bunch...Jack and Judy Benhanyon and Mark and Lisa Chandler. One doctor and 3 RNs from Knoxville taking a break from their busy lives. So glad to meet you all!

A Tale of Two Cities...

Friday we had a converging of cultures with two couples from Minnesota and two couples from Tennessee. Two groups biking the Katy Trail with a lot in common. Among them were 2 doctors and 3 RNs who had actually worked with some of the same people in the past. All ordered dinner in advance so George made his special Pasta with with red sauce and Spicy Italian Sausage and we had hot bread and a delicious salad. Little did we know that my neighbor would drop off some live chickens for me right when we were preparing dinner! Of course I was at the store and George had no idea that we were getting chickens. I certainly wasn't expecting them that day! So Minnesota gals Patti and Lou Ann made the salad and set the table while Rob helped me take care of the Chickens...Thanks Guys I couldn't have done it without you!
At Patti's request (also in advance) George called up some of his music buddies and there was an awesome after dinner jam in the Great Room. Rob on banjo, Ed on upright bass, Denny (AKA Wheels) on Dobro, and George on guitar were in rare form and we all had a very special evening.

31st Anniversary...

Kathy and Greg Armstrong from Louisburg, Kansas plan a trip each year for their anniversary. They often ride the Katy Trail at the western end but Kathy wanted Greg to see the eastern side too. They spent 3 days peddling, hiking and checking out the Wineries along the trail from Augusta to Hermann. Here they are relaxing on the porch with their books and a glass of wine, enjoying a beautiful sunset.

What's for Breakfast?

OK so what is George's Big Country Breakfast? Well here's a sampling...There is always fried potatoes with onions; bacon, ham and/or sausage; eggs either fried or scrambled with veggies and cheese; toast, OJ, hot tea and fresh ground coffee. Sometimes you may get biscuits and gravy too. George loves to do it Big! I offer a light and healthy breakfast but hardly anyone ever requests it. I probably shouldn't tell you all this but I call it George's Artery Clogger Breakfast and he calls mine Maggie's Tooty Fruity Breakfast. Either way we've got something you will like!

Kansas City Bound...

Also here this weekend were newlyweds Jerome and Miranda Harris from Kansas City. They've been together for years (since college) but just married 1 week ago, they were in town 2 nights for yet another college pal's wedding. Although we didn't get to hear him play, Jerome is an accomplished pianist and we are looking forward to their return for their 1st anniversary. Maybe he'll give us a sampling of his talents, hint hint...

A Sterling Bunch from Diamond...

This was a busy weekend at the BnB. One group, Cammie and Bruce Burkey and John and Lisa Mitchell, drove up in their cute little sports cars from Diamond, MO (near Joplin) for the Wine and Art Fest in Washington, MO. Afterwords they hung out in the wine cellar playing a lively game of cards. The next morning they were off to Hermann for the Maifest which was also held this past weekend. These guys know how to have fun!

Visitors from Matoon..No it's not another Planet, it's in Illinois!

George and I were at the Blumenhof Winery in nearby Dutzow this past weekend and met Sue and Carey Paxton from Matoon, IL. They ride their Harley out every year to Hermann for the Maifest. Carey is a professional photographer and has a studio in Matoon. Check him out at The Perfect Image. Here they are clowning on the porch swing...

Patrick In The Hot Tub

This is a classic photo of George's son Patrick reading "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" in the hot tub... Amber is supervising.

The National Champions

Saturday we hosted a victory party for the UMSL (University of Missouri St. Louis) Roller Hockey team who won the National Championship this year in Philadelphia. It turned out to be a 12 hour party because some team members didn't arrive until 11 PM! I was in bed by then so half the team didn't make it in my photos. But apparently I missed the best part because our neighbor Ralph went home and brought back a new born squealing piglet making all the girls squeal right along with it. Then he gave some of the girls a ride in his combine! Ralph, we never knew you were such a ladies man! George and his pals Ed and Rob provided entertainment and a good time was had by all. Unfortunately Son Patrick couldn't make it because he is also on a local community league that was having it's playoffs that same night. Here they all are hanging out on the porch and in the Wine Cellar...

The Guys From Black Mountain

Ed, John, Roger and Denny are all avid bikers from Black Mountain, North Carolina where they are accustom to biking steep mountain roads after work and on the weekends. They look forward to their vacation time when they can take a whole week off and just ride. This year they decided to do the Katy Trail. Biking about 60 miles a day and staying at B&Bs the whole way, they got soaked in a pretty good rain storm the day before they arrived here. Starting in Sedalia, Concord Hill is the last stop before the end in St. Charles. They got in right about 6PM and went upstairs for Cocktails and Showers. Yes they came with their own Vodka and Tonic, just add Ice! Then we all sat down for George's special Extra Thick and Juicy Burgers and Brats with baked beans and salad. (The guys had pre-arranged for a dinner upon arrival). Above you'll see them having coffee on the porch before breakfast. "Off we go like a heard of turtles!" said Ed as they were leaving. I don't think so...60 miles a day on the Katy is not too shabby, especially when it's wet.