Explore. Dream. Discover.

There isn't anything we haven't seen in Missouri.  Bet me.

St. Louis greeted us with this view of the Gateway Arch as we drove into the city.


Below was our view under the Gateway Arch.  The arch is 630 feet high.  It's twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty.  It was built as a monument to celebrate Missouri's placement as a "gateway" to westward expansion. 

We toured the Westward Expansion Museum underneath the Arch.  The IMAX movie about the Lewis & Clark expedition was captivating.  I've spent the last several days wondering if I could ever be as brave as those two men, Sacajawea, and their team.  I don't know how you can't feel proud to be an American when you learn about the risk, hardship, and sacrifices made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we take for granted every day.

When I saw the conditions this team of explorers faced . . . braving unknown territory . . . I got inspired.

Our campground had a huge beautiful lake, but the side ponds & streams were full of snakes.  Lewis traveled to the Pacific Ocean with his dog, so I took Billie Jean out paddle-boarding one morning to see if I could brave my own slithering threats.  I wonder what other stunts I'll pull in the name of Lewis & Clark.  When the notion of a snake swimming right onto the top of my paddle-board began to usurp the joy of paddling, I quit looking down.  I only looked to the sky.  Immediately I spotted a bald eagle.  I followed him all the way across the lake, then he disappeared over the trees.  Gorgeous.

Below is a picture of the kids after riding the elevator to the top of the Arch.

LAR panicked in the elevator.

We stood on the banks of the Missouri River.

That white hump at the edge of the water is a dead fish.  The view was nice, but I'm glad you can't smell it from the picture.


The next day we went to Grant's Farm.  We got to see the home of President Ulysses S. Grant.  The farm was later purchased by Anheuser-Busch, and is now home to the Budweiser Clydesdale horses.  It also houses many other animals -- it's practically a zoo -- birds, buffalo, elephants, etc. 

CER bottle feeding goats at Grant's Farm.

We got to go inside the barns of the famous Clydesdale horses that are carefully selected & trained to pull the hitch in all the commercials, and travel to all the PR engagements.

I'm not bitter or anything, but I'd like to note that a stall for one of these horses is nearly the same size as our entire motorhome.  They don't have to share their space.  I do. 

Below, LAR is pictured with Jake.  Jake eats 25 quarts of grain, 50-60 pounds of hay, and drinks 30 gallons of water every day.

We've learned some things in the Show Me state.  We found out that the first time ice cream was ever served in a cone and the first time tea was ever served over ice was in 1904 at the World's Fair in St. Louis.


So, we thought it necessary to enjoy an ice cream cone & some iced tea in Missouri.

This was taken in Hannibal, Missouri.


The Mark Twain Museum and his boyhood home are in Hannibal. 

I thought we'd be there for 30 minutes, but we stayed all day.

Mark Twain's home sits right on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River.  We went up to an old lighthouse & found a pretty spot to look out over the river.  We talked more about what it must have been like before any of the lights, homes & industry were around, and Lewis & Clark were fighting the currents of those waters.


Here is CBR imitating the mischievous Tom Sawyer.  Well he's imitating the Tom Sawyer part, he's already got the mischievous bit down pat.

CER and LAR playing on the banks of the Mississippi River.


Again, pretty place, but be glad you can't smell it.  Dead fish were everywhere here too. 

When we get home from a day of sightseeing, we're all tired.  Getting a good night's sleep is critical to being able to keep the pace. 

Before I go to bed, I usually check on the kids . . . and lately, this is what I'm finding.

LAR edges CBR off the bed every night.  Can you tell which one likes to snuggle, and which one doesn't?

The Rhino is coming!  The Rhino is coming!

We also hit the St. Louis Zoo.  Great gorilla and hippopotamus exhibit.

We also went to Meramec Caverns.  This cave system is home to the world's largest stalagmite.  It was also a popular hide out for Jesse James. 


We'd planned to stay the night here, but when we saw the campsite we kept driving. 


All in all, our time in Missouri has been very pleasant.  It's full of rivers and history.  The people have been friendly; it's been a great place to "wet our feet" into RV'ing (literally and figuratively).

The view from our campsite.

While in Missouri, I saw this quote painted on a wall.  It struck me. 

I pray that God would arrange our days so that we experience Him in ways that make Him big.  When I stay tethered to the banks of security, I rarely sense God's hand in my life.  However, when the bowlines are thrown off, we're humbled by the realization that God holds us in His palm.  I pray the courage of Lewis & Clark, and the advice of Mark Twain continue to inspire us throughout our trek.