August 1, 2006

August 1, 2006

While surfing the Internet, I discover that the reason for the Mormon Visitor Center in Independence, MO is that the city was a western outpost for the Mormon Church and their early missionary work with the Indians. Their founder Joseph Smith had declared Independence to be the site of their “Zion”. The next-door Community of Christ temple and auditorium are related to Mormonism. Community of Christ is the modern name for a Mormon splinter group. After Joseph Smith was killed in Nauvoo, IL in 1844, the church split into two groups, one following Brigham Young to Salt Lake City and the other following Joseph Smith’s son.

This morning we need to get a new tire. The campground owner points us to the town of Marshall ten miles north. After driving there very slowly, we get the local tire dealer to replace the blown tire. I also have him switch the spare and the other right rear tire that had the slow leak.

From Marshall the road east along the Missouri river seems to be the shorter route to St. Louis. Ten miles east we enter the town of Arrow Rock, a historical spot on the map. Arrow Rock was a location noted in Lewis and Clark’s journal and gets its name from the local flint rocks that Indians used to make arrowheads. We plan on making a quick driving tour of the small town and then get back on the road. The town still has many pioneer age buildings but we have seen enough of them. On the way out of town, we are surprised to see a Visitor Center hidden down a walkway. Curious, we stop and visit. To our pleasant surprise, it has some very interesting displays about the local history and economy. Arrow Rock was a thriving pioneer town outfitting travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Daniel Boone’s two sons also ran a salt making business in the area. Salt was key to preserving food for travel, especially salt pork. We also learn that Santa Fe travelers brought back Mexican donkeys and mated them with local horses to produce the famous Missouri mules. Afterwards we stop at the pioneer tavern in town for lunch. The tavern claims to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi. Aimee and I both comment to each other that if it hadn’t been for the tire problem, we would never have stopped here. Missouri does a poor job of tourist advertising and signage.

We continue east and eventually meet up with I70 again. I let Aimee take the wheel so I can take my afternoon nap. After a short respite, we head south to Hermann and Missouri’s more famous wine country. In Hermann, MO we visit the Hermanoff and Stone Hill wineries. The Stone Hill winery claims to have been one of the largest wineries in the world till Prohibition shut them down. After sampling some of the local vintages we buy a few bottles for our cellar in the RV.

Once back on the highway, we continue toward St. Louis. On the way, I call my second oldest sister and make plans to meet her and her family for dinner in the western suburb, St. Charles, MO. My niece and her kids also join us. We have a little family reunion and after dinner give them a tour of the RV in the restaurant parking lot.

At 9:30 pm we roll into Godfrey, IL (outside Alton) just north of St. Louis. To get there we have to cross the Lewis Bridge over the Missouri and the Clark Bridge over the Mississippi. We don’t have to worry about reservations as my parents live here. This will be the first time sleeping in a real bed in almost a month. I can’t wait.