Katy trail ride: Day 4 - when things got interesting
We left Columbia via a slightly different route than we came in, partly to avoid riding on roads with traffic. Columbia's Hinckley trail is quite nice but could use some better marking because it was difficult to figure out the route twice, when we intersected roads. We rode back along the MKT spur trail to the Katy Trail, stopping at the junction for a snack. Sightseeing on Sunday included Boathenge.
Food was running a bit low at this point, and we hoped to find a store or someplace to eat lunch. It was also the first day that it was really hot. Probably these two factors contributed to Karen falling, as I think normally the slightly soft spot would not have been an issue, but down she went, landing badly on her elbow. Of course, none of our cell phones worked, but a kindly pair of cyclists lent us their phone and provided more detailed information about which roads we were near so we could direct the emergency vehicles.
Our proximity to the river meant that our 911 call went through to the wrong county (across the river) but that worked in our favor, as 3 volunteer medics, 1 fire truck, and 1 ambulance showed up. One of the medics even offered to take Karen's and Gene's bicycles to the B&B, which was wonderful as we were still 13 miles away and that would have been a very long walk, especially pushing two bicycles. I was pleased with how our group functioned: Elin assessed the injuries and cleaned Karen's scrapes while Ann applied ice; Joe and Steve rode to meet the ambulance and direct it; Judy wrangled phones and made sure all the bikes were off the path to allow access for the vehicles; I got to act as a back rest for Karen and distract her with crazy stories. When the medics arrived, I directed them to Karen, assuring them that I was fine and just functioning as furniture, which they found amusing.
After the ambulance took Gene and Karen away and the volunteer loaded up their bikes, a much subdued group continued on our way to the Globe Hotel B&B. It was an odd B&B, built originally as a hotel but sometimes in between functioning as a house. Our hostess, Jeanette, owns many, many cats, so when we were taking our bags off our bikes, we were surrounded by meowing furry bodies. I was glad to learn, however, that only one cat is allowed in the house and he is not allowed in any bedrooms, so my allergies were no worse than usual. The Globe is an old building, dating to the 1890s, and has been flooded more than once. Although there were only 2.5 bathrooms for the hotel (with 11 guests that night), each room had its own sink, which was pretty cool. The rooms are all shabby chic, which worked well with the old building.
Next door is a fabulous restaurant, the Grand Hotel. Given that it took us less than 15 minutes to walk through this whole town, it was impressive that the restaurant was full on a Sunday night. The owner was keeping bar when we entered and apologized for the wait in advance, telling us that they had only 1 waitstaff and 2 people in the kitchen that night. Our only other option in this town was a the bar and Steve and Ann had been raving about the Grand for the past 5 miles so we were not about to leave. We were seated in the side room, with the big TV playing old Charlie Chaplin movies, which entertained us long after our food arrived. The food was stellar, and we learned later, after being escorted around town by Barry, the owner's dog, that the kitchen staff were his wife and son. He was quite proud of the business, which apparently draws quite a crowd from St. Charles and other nearby bigger towns. Given how excellent everything was, I can easily see people driving 20-30 minutes to eat there.
At the Grand, we also learned about the General, a rooster who flew the coop and decided to leave on the porch railing at the Grand. He preceded Barry and us on our way back to the Grand and the Globe and also made sure we did not oversleep the next morning. Apparently the General roams the town during the day and then settles down on the porch at night, having good relations with Barry the dog, Bill the tavern's dog, and with all of Jeanette's cats.
Karen returned before we all hit the hay, with her dislocated and broken elbow in a cast. She was in good spirits but could clearly not continue the ride with us. She and Gene instead rented a car and returned to St. Charles to stay with Rhona, but that happened on day 5.
Food was running a bit low at this point, and we hoped to find a store or someplace to eat lunch. It was also the first day that it was really hot. Probably these two factors contributed to Karen falling, as I think normally the slightly soft spot would not have been an issue, but down she went, landing badly on her elbow. Of course, none of our cell phones worked, but a kindly pair of cyclists lent us their phone and provided more detailed information about which roads we were near so we could direct the emergency vehicles.
Our proximity to the river meant that our 911 call went through to the wrong county (across the river) but that worked in our favor, as 3 volunteer medics, 1 fire truck, and 1 ambulance showed up. One of the medics even offered to take Karen's and Gene's bicycles to the B&B, which was wonderful as we were still 13 miles away and that would have been a very long walk, especially pushing two bicycles. I was pleased with how our group functioned: Elin assessed the injuries and cleaned Karen's scrapes while Ann applied ice; Joe and Steve rode to meet the ambulance and direct it; Judy wrangled phones and made sure all the bikes were off the path to allow access for the vehicles; I got to act as a back rest for Karen and distract her with crazy stories. When the medics arrived, I directed them to Karen, assuring them that I was fine and just functioning as furniture, which they found amusing.
After the ambulance took Gene and Karen away and the volunteer loaded up their bikes, a much subdued group continued on our way to the Globe Hotel B&B. It was an odd B&B, built originally as a hotel but sometimes in between functioning as a house. Our hostess, Jeanette, owns many, many cats, so when we were taking our bags off our bikes, we were surrounded by meowing furry bodies. I was glad to learn, however, that only one cat is allowed in the house and he is not allowed in any bedrooms, so my allergies were no worse than usual. The Globe is an old building, dating to the 1890s, and has been flooded more than once. Although there were only 2.5 bathrooms for the hotel (with 11 guests that night), each room had its own sink, which was pretty cool. The rooms are all shabby chic, which worked well with the old building.
Next door is a fabulous restaurant, the Grand Hotel. Given that it took us less than 15 minutes to walk through this whole town, it was impressive that the restaurant was full on a Sunday night. The owner was keeping bar when we entered and apologized for the wait in advance, telling us that they had only 1 waitstaff and 2 people in the kitchen that night. Our only other option in this town was a the bar and Steve and Ann had been raving about the Grand for the past 5 miles so we were not about to leave. We were seated in the side room, with the big TV playing old Charlie Chaplin movies, which entertained us long after our food arrived. The food was stellar, and we learned later, after being escorted around town by Barry, the owner's dog, that the kitchen staff were his wife and son. He was quite proud of the business, which apparently draws quite a crowd from St. Charles and other nearby bigger towns. Given how excellent everything was, I can easily see people driving 20-30 minutes to eat there.
At the Grand, we also learned about the General, a rooster who flew the coop and decided to leave on the porch railing at the Grand. He preceded Barry and us on our way back to the Grand and the Globe and also made sure we did not oversleep the next morning. Apparently the General roams the town during the day and then settles down on the porch at night, having good relations with Barry the dog, Bill the tavern's dog, and with all of Jeanette's cats.
Karen returned before we all hit the hay, with her dislocated and broken elbow in a cast. She was in good spirits but could clearly not continue the ride with us. She and Gene instead rented a car and returned to St. Charles to stay with Rhona, but that happened on day 5.