Day 25, Thursday, May 15

Defiance, MO to Mokane, MO

We packed up and hit the trail early, as usual. We typically get up around 5:30, and it takes a little under an hour to pack up. That's when we reward ourselves with coffee and something to eat. 

Occasionally we make instant oatmeal (maple and cinnamon with peanut butter is my favorite), but that is usually when we have no idea where to find a proper breakfast, or at least a service station breakfast sandwich. The plan for this day was to stop in Dutzow, maybe 17 miles away, where we heard the diner has the best food on the Katy Trail.

I was definitely not feeling the best on the way to Dutzow. My legs were heavy and the Missouri heat was already getting to me. But we made it and I hoped breakfast would revive me. 

It did not. In fact, I ate so much I needed a nap, but John would not allow it. So we pushed on.

As the day wore on the riding became harder. For the most part the Katy follows the Missouri River, but sometimes the river gets far away from the trail, leaving vast farm fields between. This that the wind was ripping across those fields right into our faces.

The temperature rose and the wind picked up even more. Sometimes the trail would be in the trees, offering us shade and protection from the wind, but there were also long stretches of trail exposed to the sun and wind.

After a difficult afternoon we finally arrived at our destination, the AMVETS post in Mokane. AMVETS is similar to VFW, and there are numerous posts throughout the region. In Mokane they allow you to camp for free in a little grassy area across the parking lot from the post. There are bathrooms and showers, and you can have a beer and eat cheap food at the bar in the post.

The bar and parking lot were quite lively until the early morning, apparently. There were bright floodlights shining all night directly on our tents.

None of it bothered me. After a very tough day I slept through it all, but John told me all about it.