Shelbina, Missouri Walk and a Major Priceline Hotel SNAFU - Friday, May 28, 2021

This morning in Wichita, Kansas, it was 52 degrees and sunny. We have a 5-1/2 hour drive ahead of us. Our Missouri county walking weekend starts today at 1 p.m. with a 10k walk in Shelbina, population 1,704. The weather has given us a cold snap. 

The weather in Shelbina was also 52 degrees, cold, misty, and cloudy with a 12-18 mph wind chill. Brr. We put our coats on.

We were early for the walk, but that was okay. Before we started the walk, we wanted to eat lunch. The start point was the Shelbina Family Restaurant. 

Shelbina Family Restaurant -
our walk starting point.

A number of other Volksmarchers arrived early to have lunch as well. When we finished eating, we registered at a table the Dogwood Trailblazers Club had set up for that purpose. After signing in, we took off on our 10k walk. 

Off we go. It was misting lightly.

The 1917 brick Carnegie Library was the first point of interest. This is one of 33 Carnegie Libraries built in Missouri. It's a beautiful building set back from the highway on a large lot.

Carnegie Library built in 1917.

Carnegie Library built in 1917.

Carnegie Library built in 1917.

We turned a corner off the main street and wound our way through the neighborhoods. Metal and metal products is the largest industry here, followed by health care, education, and, surprisingly, agriculture is toward the bottom of the list.

Grain elevators.

Nice houses, reasonably priced.

We also walked around the IOOF Cemetery. You can see how windy it is.

IOOF Cemetery.

The Benjamin House - Italian Villa 
style. Well-known home in Shelbina.

A more modest home.

We criss-crossed Shelbina north, south, east, and west. That was the first 5k. For the second 5k, we reversed direction. Here's a pictorial of what we saw.

The church below was composed of so many different styles, I didn't know what to call the architecture: mish-mash maybe?

Beautiful home with a large porch and 
a back patio with a porch swing. Love it!

ADM/Shelbina Elevator - buyers
 of soybeans, corn, wheat.

Large brick church.

Side view of the above church.

Big, beautiful home in need of 
loving care.

Ranch 

Clematis starting to climb a pole.

Great craftsman workmanship.

Shelby County Historical Society & 
Museum.

The old Opera House (now a 
furniture store).

Another view of the Benjamin House.

On our way back through the IOOF Cemetery, I saw this unique headstone. They're not usually in color.

After this walk, we're making our way to Hannibal, Missouri, to stay at the Quality Suites with two rooms for two nights. Or so we thought.

When we arrived, we were told only one room was booked and no other rooms were available. Susan Medlin had booked both rooms on Priceline, one in her name, and one in my name. She had paid the full price in advance for both rooms. The hotel only had a room reserved in my name. Somehow, Priceline had charged her the full amount but only sent half the amount to our hotel. Therefore, the hotel booked only one room. What a mess!

It was not the hotel's fault and Kimberly at the front desk did everything she could to help us. When a man who was checking in for one night got mad at the staff and started cursing at them, they kicked him out of the hotel. So Susan was able to check into that room for one night. Thank goodness. We were tired! 

Priceline refunded Susan for her stay, plus the additional amount Quality Inn charged because they no longer had a room at the rate she originally booked.

Quality Inn staff assured Susan if they had any cancelations for tomorrow night, they would let her know. For dinner, we had wine, cheese, crackers, and honey-roasted peanuts in my room.

Let's see what tomorrow brings. We will be walking in Paris and New London, Missouri.