Our Stay Jefferson City, MO
A Riverside Retreat in Missouri’s Capital
- May 17, 2026
- ~ 395 mi
- ~7 hrs
Settling In and Stepping Out
- May 3, 2026
- 2.39 mi
- 0:45:06 hrs
- 66 °F
The Fox River Trail, Where History and Nature Blend
The common thread during our stay in St. Charles was the Fox River Trail. This trail started its life quite differently. Before it became a multi-functional path for runners, hikers, and bikers, it was an important trolley railroad connecting many cities along the river. It’s hard to imagine that a century ago, this area was filled with manufacturing mills, and the train transported both people and manufactured products.
As road transportation grew and train usage declined, the trail’s purpose changed. Fortunately, local conservationists repurposed the railroad beds. Walking north toward Elgin, I found remnants of this past, including the historic “Woodcliff” station shed, parallel rails resting on the beds, and a rusted truss spanning the Fox River. Needless to say, I loved going here to do my activities, being surrounded by nature and history.