September 24, 2014

September 24, 2014

Aimee and I flew back to the Midwest today to visit with my parents. I had a window seat and it was clear skies almost the whole way. I thought I was on a sight seeing tour because we passed over a dozen of the West’s most famous attractions, including the Hollywood sign, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Monument Valley. Next time I need to remember to bring a detailed map so I can better identify what we cross.

In St Louis we rented a car and stayed with my parents the entire trip. They are both 94 and although age is finally catching up to them, they are still living in the house I grew up in. I only hope I can live as long a healthy life as them.

For a break, I took a couple hours and revisited Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. It literally has been decades since the last visit. This World Heritage site is the largest archeological site in North America. Cahokia was the capital of the prehistoric Mississippian Culture and in its heyday in the 1200’s was one of the largest cities in the world. The Mississippians were prolific mound builders. The largest, Monks Mound, is six stories high and has the same footprint as Egypt’s Great Pyramid.

The state built a big new Interpretative Center since our first visit. The New Visitor Center is filled with lots of artifacts mostly discovered in a small mound that turned out to be the burial site of a major chieftain. The king was buried on a bed a seashells, surrounded by exquisitely carved arrowheads and accompanied into the afterlife with hundreds of sacrificed young women. I remember my first visit inspired me to visit the Mayan pyramids of the Yucatan.

After perusing the museum, I took a brisk walk around the complex’s Grand Plaza and then climbed Monk’s Mound. From the top, you get a good view of downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. Surprisingly I also see another even taller mound in the distance. I had to laugh when I enquired about it. It has nothing to do with Cahokia. Apparently even the new residents are mound builders… Only this one is full of trash!