Clinton to Sedalia via Katy Trail

Parked the truck at the rec center, unloaded, set up and biked off to the trailhead. The first few miles of the trail were iin the open but then we got into like a tree lined tunnel. The birds were tweeting, the squirrels were running along the trail, and a couple of turtles were crossing. The honeysuckle was blooming and the smell was delightful. The first town we came to was Calhoun. The main town and the trailhead were off the trail so we just sat on a bench and had fluids. It was warm and a little muggy. We rode on to Windsor where theres nice shady benches with the history of the town and how the RR affected it printed on walls above the benches. Most of the towns have this sort of thing. Plus there's toilets and water taps. About half way to Sedalia I noticed my rear tire seemed spongy. Finally got to a point that I was slipping in the gravel. I stopped and pumped up the tire and made it to the train depot in Sedalia. There was nice pump the but when I tried to use the valve stem came off in my hand. I googlrd 'bike shop near me' and there was on about 500 feet away. Pushed the bike there and the owner Ebbie said he couldn't get to it till noon the next day. He had a bum collarbone and couldn't lift the bike up and had to wait for his helper to come in. So Johanna rode her bike to the hotel and I walked carrying my panniers. The Bothwell hotel was beautiful inside. Seven story red brick and the interior was like the old days, oak bannisters, marble floors, and lots of comfy plush chairs. We got a nice room an the 7th floor. Went to dinner and then walked down to an ice cream parlour for dessert. While I was getting my cone Ebbie called and said my bike was ready. A helper had shown up looking for something to do so Ebbie told him to fix my flat. We walked over and go the bike and had a long chat with Ebbie and then I rode while Johanna walked. Thanks Ebbie for the good job.