Community Corner

Aussie Blogger Stops in St. Charles on Trek Across USA

Linda Bentley is visiting all 50 states and writing a book.

Since January, Linda Bentley has trekked through 31 states, ridden four horses and had plenty of barbecue on a year-long adventure across the United States. 

The Australian writer is spending a year traveling the US while working on a book about her travels. To start the year, Bentley hopped on the train in Los Angeles bound for Flagstaff, AZ on Jan. 2 and she'll end the year in Hawaii. She's spending one week in each state.

"It's always been a bucket list to visit all 50," she said. "Things were conspiring and I thought I need a project for a year where I actually remember what I did." 

Always armed with her signature hat, Bentley also travels with a kettle and a stock of English tea so she's guaranteed a "proper cup" of tea wherever she goes. 

"It's always tricky to get tea right, I'm very fussy with tea as anybody non-American is," she said. 

On Sunday and Monday she stayed in St. Charles at Boone's Colonial Inn and explored St. Charles and St. Louis. She headed to Hannibal on Wednesday and then was off to explore Iowa. 

She doesn't do much research in advance before she enters a state, Bentley said. Each state's department of tourism coordinates her visit, suggesting things to do and places to go.

In Missouri, Bentley visited Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia before heading to St. Charles. She arrived on Sunday, toured the city, ate at Magpie's Cafe and took photos with the Lewis and Clark statue. Over breakfast Monday, she said she enjoyed the architecture around the city. 

"It's a beautiful town, I really like St. Charles a lot," she said. 

On Wednesday, Bentley packed up her belongings and headed out to Iowa, bidding Missouri goodbye. 

Check out Bentley's blog at thepackedbag.com and her reviews on Trip Advisor here. 


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