DEFIANCE, MISSOURI 1-9-02
Howdy Everyone!
It was 5:00pm and the sun was setting, and I still had 3 more miles to go. I was
walking on the KATY Trail, and I was really pushing it to get there before dark.
Finally I saw the lights of the town and walked in to the tavern in Defiance,
Missouri. When I entered, I stood there for a minute trying to figure out how to
get over to the restaurant area next door, when a rowdy group of Harley riders
hollered at me and said "C'MON IN! WE DON'T BITE!" So I pulled up a
chair at their table and started visiting. They ordered me a cheeseburger &
fries and I told them what I was doing. I knew this town had 2 churches and 2
B&B's, and I was hoping to stay at one of them. The lady who owns this
tavern also owns one of the B&B's, but she was full for the night. That was
just as good, because I usually can't afford a B&B anyway. I asked her who I
should contact to stay at one of the churches. She made a couple more phone
calls for me and found out that the people who own the other B&B were
leaving for vacation tomorrow, so they weren't taking guests that night either.
But Jacque must've sounded desperate on the phone, because they finally conceded
and said I could spend the night there for free. I was so lucky to stay there!
The Parsons House is a beautiful brick mansion built in 1842 overlooking the
Missouri River Valley. When the railroad came through in 1895, Parson's grandson
platted the town which became known as Defiance because of it's persistence in
acquiring the rail station. I got to stay in The Van Dyke Room, a beautiful
bedroom with a fireplace, and furnished with 1920's period furniture. The house
was originally heated with 5 fireplaces. In the evening we sat around the fire
in the family room and roasted chestnuts (you know, chestnuts roasting on an
open fire.....)
In the morning I had grapefruit, juice, and then french toast and bacon. The
french toast had a wonderful syrup with nuts in it. But that's not all! They
also called up another B&B in St Charles and made arrangements for me to
stay there tomorrow for free, too! Can you believe it?!
Defiance is also close to Daniel Boone’s home, and it's also on the Lewis
& Clark Trail.
Y'all take care and have a great day! KB
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