Military Museum
We saved the outdoor exhibits for last, as we entered the castle-like building. Once inside, the museum exceeded our expectations. The exhibits were well-produced, with uniforms and weaponry respectfully displayed. Among the most interesting to me were the following:
- Santa Ana's leg (the fourth picture above): General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is the man credited with defeating the Texans at the Alamo. He lost his leg in battle with French forces, and his artificial leg was picked up by the Fourth Illinois Infantry when he fled to avoid capture.
- The remnants of a tree (top right picture): This tree found itself between the Yankees and the Rebels in the Civil War, and it's amazing that even the remnant survives. Looking at the shrapnel and cannon balls embedded in its trunk, it strikes me that there was a lot more than smoke in the air during those battles.
- The windshield of a vehicle in the Iraq War (second picture on the bottom): One can imagine sitting behind that windshield as enemy forces blasted at it with guns, mortars, and other explosives. The windshield is a testimony to modern technology in that the glass took a beating but still protected the driver.
- Finally, outside the "castle", we perused the military vehicles, touching the treads of the tanks and admiring the helicopters, before finding the life-sized mockup of a World War I trench. While the place was empty, I could imagine the crowded conditions, the smells of battle and body odor, and the sounds of battle. It felt dirty just being in there.
| Lock and DamRather than return straight home, we took an alternate route, wanting to see some things we've never encountered. One of those things sits on the Mississippi River and is accessed on the Illinois side. It is the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In order to get barges this far north on the river and increase commerce, the river is controlled by a series of dams. Barges enter locks in order to "step up" to the next level of the river, and the Melvin Price is the newest of these facilities. |
A very nice interpretive center also teaches about the locks and dam, as well as the nature in the area.
St. Charles
St. Charles is an important part of Missouri and United States history:
- Missouri: The first state capitol was here. In the pictures below (top right), the first capitol boasts a very patriotic feel. Thankfully, there is no parking allowed in front of the structure, so photographs today can depict the building much as it may have looked in its heyday.
- United States: Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped here for some time, one winter, in anticipation for their Corps of Discovery expedition for President Thomas Jefferson at the turn of the 19th century. A larger-than-life statue commemorates the two leaders who are among the most visionary in our history.
Johnson Shut-Ins
Still, we were able to spend some time at the Johnson Shut-Ins before the long drive to Branson. Almost immediately, we took the wrong hiking trail, wet and muddy, along steep grades with difficult walking surfaces. Finally realizing we had misunderstood the signs, we hiked back down the mountain and found the paved trail that took us quickly to our desired location.
Here, water flows rapidly through the mountain, constantly carving its way to a larger river. Wading in the cold water and allowing it to rush past you can be refreshing and relaxing. The sounds is that of a waterfall. In the short moments of our visit we decided to return some time. I just didn't get enough rock-climbing time, and the beauty of the location is awesome.
Along to winding road, we were not able to acquire a cellular signal, so for a while we just headed in the direction we thought was correct (especially since we had no map). At one point I had to slow down to allow a bobcat to cross in front of us - another first for me. After seeing the signs that bears could also be in the area, we weren't too surprised.
Branson and Home Again (Jiggity Jig)
We felt mixed feelings as we unloaded the car in our own driveway. We were happy to be home and tired from being on our feet for many of our adventures, but we also wondered where our next vacation may take us. Back to the Johnson Shut-Ins to experience it more fully, perhaps even with a side trip to the Bonne Terre mines? To Colorado to explore Mesa Verde with its prehistoric cliff dwellings? Or to something more distant? Should we go somewhere to learn history? Should we aspire to learn something scientific? Or should we just seek out something mindlessly entertaining? I'd like to say yes to all of the above (if only the money existed to make it all come true).
Don't overplan your family vacations. Leave some time in there for some wiggling. You might even discover there are some hidden treasures right here in our own back yard. Explore the little things. Chase the signs that point to places you have never been. Even a drive with no planned destination can be a pleasure if you're with the right people!