MISSOURI
The next state was Missouri. To the left is the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The book we had read on 66 said this bridge was due for demolition before we left for the trip so we weren't expecting to see it. Thats why we only have this one picture. It is famous on 66 for the curve in the middle of the bridge. Today you can use it as a walking bridge.
The picture of the bridge was taken while crossing the mighty Mississippi. While crossing and looking at the St. Louis arch, we all had to quote Chevy Chase in Vacation by singing "Deep River" Our first stop in Missouri was to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Stand. It was pretty early in the morning and not all that warm, but we had to try the custard. If you are ever in the St. Louis area, make sure and stop at Ted Drewes. You will not be disappointed, it was terrific.
Just a shot of the stand itself. This business has been in the same family since the early days of 66 and in the same building.
All through Illinois and Missouri you see old barns advertising Meramec Caverns. This a good example of one that still looks great. Not as gaudy as a billboard and it gives you a nice feeling of nostalgia. While going home this past summer on route 80 through Illinois I actually saw an old barn with a Meramec Caverns sign. That barn had to be a good 600 miles away from the caves itself.
We rolled into Stanton, Missouri and the Meramec Caverns that afternoon. It is a definite tourist trap, playing up the fact that Jesse James and his band of outlaws robbed a local place and hid out in the cave and ultimately gave the posse who came after them the slip by going out a secret exit. To the lower left is "loot rock", supposedly where they split up there take. It was actually a pretty cool place though, with a lot of stalagtites and stalagmites as pictured left. It was also very cool, temperature wise which was a nice break from the hot weather outside.
Scott fancies himself quite the geologist I guess. We always like taking unsuspecting pictures of Scott, they seem to always come out funny. Below is another picture from inside the cave. It is a free standing rock table of some nature, pretty weird looking if you ask me.
To the right is just a shot of the many unique business advertisements along the highway. I guess living atop a huge pole is a better fate than the crusher for this Caddy.
