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Home PageDay 1, St. Charles to Hermann -- June 24, 2002
The Katy Trail Ride began in Frontier Park in St. Charles, home of the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Parks Foundation sponsored the ride this year. Katy Trail State Park has many scenic views along the trail, and received many compliments from the riders. They also love the shopping opportunities for souvenirs along the trail. Missouri state parks welcomed more than 300 riders from over 25 states and all were excited to start the ride.
Breakfast began at 6:30 a.m. with bagels, muffins, juice, milk, coffee and pastries. After the first riders’ meeting, the riders were on the trail to Hermann. The day was hot with temperatures of 94 degrees. SAG stops were in Weldon Spring, Augusta, Treloar, Gore and McKittrick, and their final destination was Hermann City Park. The shower truck was there set up ready for the riders. When they arrived, they pitched their tents and took it easy for the rest of the afternoon.
In Hermann, the riders experienced a traditional German meal of brats, sauerkraut, fruit, potato salad, lemonade, tea, and bread pudding at the Hermanoff Festival Hall. And what is Hermann without the wineries? The riders also had the pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine of their choice. Showstopper Revue was a very entertaining show for the crowd, and they all had a wonderful time full of laughs.
After dinner, there was a short riders’ meeting with updates on the trail, introductions of staff and volunteers, and a prize give-away for the passport program gift basket to Jack Olsen #92. A roll call of the states was presented and the farthest rider came from Alaska. In addition to Missouri, the other states represented were Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The oldest rider on the trail this year is Harry Hutson, 78, from Georgia and the youngest rider is Jennifer Newton, age five, from Tennessee. Jennifer rides tandem with her dad and she always carries her baby doll with her. The day was a scorcher, but she was prepared with a hat and sunscreen. Even her doll had a bandana. In addition to her family (Jim, Janinine, Jennifer and Ben), a friend (Will Beasley, age 16) is traveling with them on the ride. He rode 21 miles per hour today and finished the 64-mile ride by 1:30 p.m.
Each day, there are "passport questions" in each of the rider's map booklet for answering questions along the trail. Answering all the questions gives them a chance to win a prize at the end of the day. Monday's passport questions were:
1. Imagine it is May 1804. You are a member of Lewis and Clark's exedition on your way west. Will you be traveling upstream against the Missouri River current, or going downstream with the current? answer
2. With the offer of a Spanish land grant, 64-year old Daniel Boone moved from Kentucky to Missouri in 1799. He died in 1820 and was buried near Marthasville, but his remains were taken back to Kentucky in 1945-- through Missourians and Kentuckians still debate this fact. How many standing gravestones are at the Daniel Boone grave monument? (you'll have to leave the trail to answer this question.) answer
3. Name one of the two towns on today's segment of the trail that were named after the wives of their founders. answer
Tomorrow’s ride will begin with breakfast in Rhineland before beginning the trip to Hartsburg, where riders will stay Tuesday night.
More tomorrow on Following Lewis and Clark –Katy Trail Ride 2002!!!
