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Reply to Places to spend the night between St. Charles and Defiance?

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Rachel from Southern Illinois on 10/1/2007 10:19:24 PM:

We're planning a trip on the Katy Trail in less than two weeks from now, and I just now realized how short notice it is for the local B&B's along the trail. (I had just recently found out about KT.) Not only that, but we are taking two small children with us...a 2 year old and a 4 year old. It would seem a lot of B&B's have a no children policy, and frankly it would be a little inconvenient to have them in one of those rooms. Does anyone know of any alternative places to stay? We would rather make this a weekend trip instead of just one day, since we have two small ones and would like to break it up for them. Thanks!

Dave from Herrin, Ill on 10/2/2007 10:29:15 AM:

How far are you planning on riding per day?

Cliff from Edwardsville KS on 10/2/2007 10:36:39 AM:

Rachel, There is nothing between St. Charles and Defiance. About half way there is a trailhead with a restroom but no water. If you are going to ride that route be sure and take plenty of water. The only alternative is to ride to Defiance and back to St. Charles or ride on to Augusta.

Rachel from Southern Illinois on 10/2/2007 1:53:02 PM:

Dave, we had been planning on taking our time and riding to Defiance, then riding back to St. Charles the next day. Seems like a long way to take the kids, but they love bike rides and I'm thinking if we stop often and take breaks, we should be fine. If there is no place to stay, though, we'll have to make it a shorter trip...I can't expect them to ride around 40 miles in one day. One will be in a trailer and the other on a trail-a-bike (until she tires out, then she'll be in the trailer too).

Do you have suggestions for a better section to bike? Should we drive to a different town to start our trip, rather than starting in St. Charles?

Rachel from Southern Illinois on 10/2/2007 1:54:25 PM:

Oops, sorry for the double post!

Cliff, does Augusta have some more choices for places to stay?

Ray (webmaster) on 10/2/2007 3:10:01 PM:

Rachel, one option is to reverse your trip - start in Defiance, spend the night in St Charles, and then ride back to Defiance the next day. This has a couple of advantages:

1. If you still have energy to walk around after your ride, there are many things to do and see in downtown St Charles. Main Street is a great place to stroll around, shop, eat, etc. There's a park on the riverfront, a Lewis & Clark museum, and more.

2. St Charles has a ton of lodging options. Off the top of my head I'm not sure which St Charles B&B's take kids, but there are also several traditional hotel/motels there (most of which are up on Fifth Street, but Country Inn & Suites is right on the trail). Click St Charles on the map at the top of this webpage for a full listing; you'll also see links next to some of the hotels that you can click to check availability and rates.

I removed your duplicate post, in case you were wondering where it went.

Good luck!

Rachel from Southern Illinois on 10/2/2007 3:54:11 PM:

Ray...thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not sure why I didn't think of that. I had heard the scenery around St. Charles was beautiful and didn't really want to miss it, but wasn't sure what else to do. Backwards is a perfect option! I would feel much more comfortable taking the kids to a traditional hotel, where we would all feel more welcome and not worry about messing up someone's well-kept B&B. And I can see there's lots to do. Thanks, again. I've been racking my brain all afternoon trying to decide what to do.

Thanks for removing my post, too.

Dave from Herrin, Ill on 10/3/2007 7:42:48 AM:

Rachel, My wife and I have stayed at country inn and suits several times. Its a nice property with a indoor pool and free breakfast.
Have a great trip. PS Have you been to the Tunnel Hill Trail?

Trek Biker & Co. on 10/3/2007 4:32:16 PM:

The Tunnel Hill Trail is a fantastic ride....would love to do it in the fall when the leaves are at peak.

ET from Columbia, MO on 10/11/2007 11:54:34 AM:

I think doing it "in reverse" is probably best, but we have found Das Gast Haus Nadler in Defiance to be very accomodating when we have biked with our kids. No pool, but an indoor hot tub, and a fabulous breakfast. Each room has access to the big wrap-around porch.

ET from Columbia, MO on 10/11/2007 11:55:33 AM:

I think doing it "in reverse" is probably best, but we have found Das Gast Haus Nadler in Defiance to be very accomodating when we have biked with our kids. No pool, but an indoor hot tub, and a fabulous breakfast. Each room has access to the big wrap-around porch.

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