Leaving for our Western vacation

We woke up early and were on the road by 5 AM, driving on the Bluegrass Parkway to Bardstown, where we picked up the Western Kentucky Parkway (US 62). It rained off and on, sometimes hard. We hoped some would be falling at home. August and early September have been very dry at home, and the grass and fruit trees need the rain. After checking our weather station, we found there was no measurable rain at home.

We stopped at a rest stop in Paducah near the Kentucky/Illinois state border. The Whitehaven Rest Area uses a home that was built in 1865. The State converted this historic home into the Kentucky welcome center. This rest area was awkward to access from the east and nearly impossible to leave when continuing west. In addition, the rest area was being renovated, taking even more time to get back on the road. Steve took over driving after leaving the rest area. We took US 60 most of the way west to Joplin after leaving Paducah.

We crossed the Ohio River near Cairo, Illinois then crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri a short time later.

As we passed by Sikeston, Missouri, we thought about Lambert’s Café. It was famous for their “throwed rolls” since the staff tossed rolls to diners as they ate. This was always a favorite stop of Mary’s parents when they crossed the country. From their signs and website, they do not appear to continue to throw rolls, probably a result of changes due to COVID.

We stopped at a small city park in Birch Tree, Missouri, where we had a packed lunch of turkey sandwiches. The small park was pleasant and shady, so we took a walk around after finishing our lunch then continued west toward Joplin.

Marker for border of MO-KS-OK

We checked in at the Quality Inn Joplin, MO which had been recently remodeled. The room looked clean and quiet. Since we arrived at the motel before 5 PM, we took a short drive to a nearby monument where Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas meet. Other than the monument and some debris from partying, there wasn't much to see.

The monument is accessed from the road leading to the Downstream Casino, operated by the Cherokee nation. The Cherokees have a buffalo herd near the monument that is reported to include two white calves. While we were there, a truck drove by looking for the herd hoping to see the calves. We looked for the bison for a short time, hoping to see the albino calves, but the animals had moved to another area.

Monument marking three state border

A Fazoli’s Restaurant was near the motel, so we thought that would make a good dinner. Steve had his usual chicken parm, and Mary had baked ziti.

We were tired from the drive and turned in early.