Laura Ingalls Wilder Trip Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Mountain Home, Arkansas to St. Louis, Missouri
Severe thunderstorm warnings (with black clouds, heavy rain, and LOUD BOOMING thunder lifted in time for our departure from Mountain Home, Arkansas. As we crossed the Arkansas line into Missouri, we enjoyed newly paved roads and tidy double wides. As we continued to drive through the lush, hilly Ozarks, random roadside tortoises waited at the edge of the narrow two-lane road. Karen missed the 2 armadillos, one flattened, the others on the road’s edge. Much of the forested land in Missouri is identified as the Mark Twain Forest.
Today was a definite “food” day. We enjoyed a country breakfast at the L.A. Cafe in Cabool. The owner named the restaurant in honor of her sister who had died from breast cancer. After a long drive, we arrived in St. Louis and checked into a splendidly elegant oasis hotel called “The Moonrise”. We searched out a highly recommended restaurant noted for its barbeque called “Pappy’s Smokehouse” (Thanks, Pam. Great recommendation). The rich, oak-smoked smell of barbeque wafted down the hall, filling our nostrils with hope. Dixieland jazz and the clamor of contented patrons greeted us as we entered the restaurant. Picnic tables and other small tables were covered with red and white checked tablecloths. Three of us ordered ribs that had been rubbed and smoked for 4-14 hours. Tender; the meat fell off the bone. There was a choice of BBQ sauces, Pappy’s original, Holly’s Hot Sauce, and Sweet BBQ sauce and side choices included cole slaw, beans, deep-fried corn on the cob, string beans, and sweet potato fries. (yes, we are indulging because we’re on vacation, and letting our taste buds rule!)
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| Yum.... |
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| We loved the sauces!!!! "Q" Sauce still rules! |
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| Pappy's was all we hoped it could be!! |
A trip to St. Louis wouldn’t be complete unless one visited the Westward Expansion Arch, commonly called, “The Arch”. We briefly went through the Western Expansion Museum Exhibit, and then experienced a most amazing movie called “Lewis and Clark”. Kathy loves the story of Lewis and Clark and could recite the stories from memory. Afterwards, with the sun still shining, we walked down to the water. The river had flooded and was still to the top of the walkway with steps and beaches way under water. Hard to imagine how much higher the water will rise and where it will go; nature to decide!
We sat in the shade, enjoyed the river breeze and made plans for what to do next. Our lunch/dinner had settled and we decided to go for ice cream. We wanted to go to Ted Drewes, which was highly recommended. Karen looked up the address and it was not far away. As we drove up, we could tell we were going to be in for a treat because the walkway and parking lot were full of customers enjoying the ice cream. There is no indoor seating, but tonight the weather was perfect for visiting with neighbors outside. They sell a vanilla cream custard, with many flavors, and toppings. YUM. 3 for 3 today with our food choices!
We returned to our fabulous hotel, repacked and joined each other to have a final recap drink. Enjoyed watching the locals and tourists strolling by as we sat at the sidewalk cafe. Day 8 ended with a toast for a wonderful trip. We all agreed that we loved the Dakota Prairie, at DeSmet, walking in their footsteps and imagining what their life was like. Next favorite was the lovingly built and crafted house at Rocky Ridge Farm, Mansfield, Missouri. We are pleased that we stayed loyal to the actual route of the Ingalls Family, from the Big Woods of Wisconsin onward.
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| As Laura said,"It's always best to tell the truth, never give up, and always look forward." Happy birthday, Cynthia, Debbie, and Karen. Happy trails |
For our next trip, follow the Lewis and Clark Expedition Route? Hum....
Nice post....
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