So, my plans are made. Today is the day before I leave home. The kit is packed. The car is ready for the journey to St.Louis and shortly I'll be on my way. This should be a nice long trip to see some new country, learn some history, and fine tune my touring routine. I'm really looking forward to it.
I left home at 9:30am Monday morning and I made it to St. Charles MO north of St. Louis about 4:30pm with a stops along the way for fuel and lunch.
I ate at a McD's for the first time in probably 6 or 7 years. I am quite sure that it will be at least that long before I do that to myself again. My gut was churning for an hour afterward. Horrid stuff.
My first night in Missouri is at the Holiday Inn Express on the north side of St. Charles. I used some of the over 1-million points I collected from Holiday Inn while I was working. The view from my room is pretty much the same as when I was working.
Monday night I had a couple beers and some meatballs for dinner at the Elm Tap House and Kitchen which is near where I'm staying the first night. Good beer selection there and the meatballs were a bit spice and incredible.
After dinner I adjusted the clothing I'm taking slightly and repacking my clothing pannier.
Tuesday morning the shuttle for Clinton MO leaves at 8am from the Bike Stop Cafe which is right on the trail I'm riding from western Missouri. Really convenient arrangements for a ride west and a place to park the car. The shop sounds like a cool place. They sell bicycles, accessories, clothing and do service work. In addition it is a coffee shop with fresh baked goods and sandwiches. I'm anxious to see how the coffee stacks up against Leslie's at Cross Roads in Cross Plains.
