Day 10 - Gretna, Nebraska

Here we are crossing the 

western trail...the one at the 

north on this chart  the Lewis 

and Clark  

Our rv's in good line....wagon master 

and tail master trying to direct us 

into correct direction... 

The muddy Missouri we are following….

 just not wading and pulling a boat 

up the river like Lewis and the boys

Looking across the muddy Missouri from the 

Lewis and Clark Monument ....they were hungry

 ....some native Americans bought them food

 ....including water melon ....nice of them...we do 

not know why they just did not go across the river
to  that big town and get something to eat....so

we told them that we just bought their land

from the french for 3 cents per acre...of

course they did not own it to sell it...it belonged

to the native Americans .....then we hunted them 

down over the next 100 years and moved them

So we went across that river to 

Tish's restaurant .....best food so far

Two of the trail riders hanging from, 

oh, any and everything like Indians

Council bluff.....what a jail

Goes around ....like a cage for a rat....

like a merry go round....makes the 

bad guys want to be good......just 

like the government .....and it's gotten 

no better....

Father flanagan's boys and girls home.....

helping kids learn to allow others to 

love them.....something I did not learn 

to do until I was 50 yrs old..... Great place

Me and the one .....God sent to teach 

me to allow others to love me

Janet and Jerry

What a great day.....

one and all

Day 9 - Travel day to Gretna, Nebraska

Today was an easy travel day considering we were in three states in little over 175 miles.

Before leaving the campground in Platte City, five of the men went to the Harley-Davidson factory to drool over "hogs" and have their photos taken on old Harley's. It was reported they enjoyed themselves but not one of them came out with a new toy.

Others took a side trip on the way to see Amelia Earhart's Birthplace. It was reported to be a nice place but not big rig friendly.

Amelia Earhart's home

offering assistance

Crossing the Missouri

some clean first

Everyone made the trip safely with most arriving at the KOA, in Gretna, NE to light rain showers. Hope tonight's social is not outside.

Look out Omaha and Council Bluffs --HERE WE COME!

Mario & Annita Unit 10 

On a sad note............

We are very sad to have to say goodbye to our new friends, Gary and Sharon Frederick. Unfortunately, Sharon took a bad fall in her motorhome Sunday night, breaking both her left arm and her tailbone. Unable to travel on with us due to her injuries, they will be staying in an area hospital until she has healed sufficiently to be able to travel.  

Gary was able to join us this afternoon to give us an update on her condition and their circumstances. They will be greatly missed.  We wish her a speedy recovery and will be sending our prayers out for them both. 

We will miss you Gary and Sharon!  Hope to see you again in the near future.  

Day 8 - Platte City, Missouri

Today, May 29th, 2012, we went to St. Joseph, MO.  Only 33 of us met the bus, this morning at 7:30, to get on board for another Adventure.  10 participants decided to stay in and rest or catch up on RV or personal homework.

After a 45 minute, comfortable ride, we arrived at The Pony Express Museum.  Wow, it all started in St. Joseph.  Kay was our guide and she really knew everything, “covered-a-lot-of-territory” with pride and dealt with the facts of this short lived but very dangerous and exciting, business adventure.  The Pony Express only lasted 18 months.  The young men and horses who “hauled the mail” as fast as they could were amazing and the operation took outstanding coordination.  Horses were switched every 10 miles and they rode day and night.   Why didn’t it last?  Once telegraph lines were installed, getting information from Missouri to California, or even coast to coast was faster and cheaper. 

Ada, Lil, Carolyn, Donna, June, Dick, Roger, 

Jerry, Jim, and Phil listening to Kay,

 our guide

Establishing the west and creating The United States of America was really an accomplishment to great to measure, sometimes.  Seeing and knowing more about how it was done is fabulous.  Everyone on the tour loved it.

In between locations, we always notice beautiful old buildings rehabbed to perfection, beautiful churches, gardens and flowers, bricked walkways and all because of pride and respect!

We then visited the Wyeth-Tootle Museum (don’t you love these names), the Patee House Museum (could have stayed for hours) where they star-lighted vintage cars, a locomotive, a gorgeous stage coach, portraits of all of the good-guys & bad-guys we had read about during our childhood and exactly how pioneer people and their “offspring” lived and worked.  They even had a replica of Jessie James home.  Whew, we also heard the other side of that story.  Missouri folk do not speak badly of Jessie and his family!

Central Overland Express Stage Coach

Then we enjoyed a delicious Bar B.Q lunch (family style) at Bandanas

So as not to end the day without a bang, on the way home, Phil made it possible for us to visit the Stetson Hat Factory Outlet. Many of us bought super hats and will look very grand for the rest of the tour.  Right!

Bettye Chaplin  -  #8  -  Marathon, FLA Keys

Jim and Bettye Chaplin 

Day 7 - Platte City, Missouri

At 8:30 AM our cheerful little group boarded the bus for our daily adventure.

           

            The tour started at the Kansas City Sports Complex Visitor Center where we picked up our guide Annie.  We did a bus tour of Independence, Missouri, which was established in the year 1827.  It was also the start of the wagon trains on the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. 

            We drove by Pres. Truman’s home and the downtown area of Independence with a stopover at the Truman Library and Museum.  We were going to lunch at the Downtown Square; however, all of the restaurants were close.  We took a joy ride around town looking for Ryan’s restaurant.

Truman's Home

Truman Library and Museum

            

After lunch we went to the National Frontier Trails Museum, which depicted how rough life was while traveling on the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. The Independence train depot was moved to the museum grounds.  It was the beginning for many going west after the railroad was finished.

Independence Railroad Depot

       Saw a film of the life of Pres. Harry S Truman at the Harry S Truman National Historic Site Visitor Center in downtown Independence Missouri.

            

        We made a detour on the way to the campground to the Community of Christ Temple where we had a tour that began in the meditation room with pictures such as marriage, baptism, and communion.  The Temple has one of the largest pipe organs in the USA.

Community of Christ Temple

            We got back at the campground at 5:30 PM with a social at 7:00 PM.      

Tom and Peggy Burns #7

   

Day 6 - Platte City, Missouri

Kansas City!  Here we come.  After a day of travel yesterday we are ready for the sights and sounds of the city.

We boarded the motor coach at 9:45 a.m. here at the Basswood R.V. Resort near Platte City, Mo.  Gary, our bus driver, pointed out sights of interest on our way to the city.  Kansas City, MO. named from the Ka nsa Indians.  We traveled the state line road northbound MO,  Southbound Kansas.  Annie, our tour guide came on board.

Some interesting facts; The Missouri river is the longest and fastest river in the U.S,  Kansas City has 175 beautiful parks, Loose park has 185 varieties of roses, Broadway Blvd was the start of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trail.  We viewed many different architectural building designs, with the Savoy hotel the oldest, circa 1888.

We took a lunch break at the Country Club Plaza with many food vendors and shops.  Our next stop was the Alexander Majors home  He ran a freight company to Santa Fe.  He owned 40,000 oxen.  

Alexander Major's Home

Later we visited the Arabia Steamboat museum.  The steamboat was buried for 132 years and excavated in 1988.  Remarkably preserved, it sank in 1856.  It is the world’s largest collection of frontier supplies.  

digging up the Arabia Steamboat

Waiting for the Arabia tour to start

We concluded our trip to the Russell Stover candy shop for our sweet tooth fix.  Later, by the campfire, we will be celebrating Lillian Barrett"s birthday. 

Yum! Russell Stover Candy shop

 .A pleasant day had by all. 

Janet and Bob Brown #6

Day 5 - Travel Day to Platte City, Missouri

Although everyone has enjoyed seeing the sights in St. Louis, all seem eager to get back on the road, following the route of the intrepid Lewis and Clark.


Our first travel briefing took an interesting twist when page 1 and 2 of the travel log had to be discarded because of construction on Hwy 94.  Instead of heading south from St. Charles to follow the Missouri River, with a visit to the home of Davy Crockett, we got onto I-70 for the 250 mile run across the state of Missouri to Platte City and the Basswood Country RV Resort.  


I-70 is a good road, fairly flat and straight, but not terribly scenic (especially if you travel it 4-6 times a year as Ralph and I do when we visit our daughter in Virginia or go to Florida for the Winter).


The best thing about our trip today is that the longest driving day of the whole trip is now behind us AND everyone arrived safely in camp.


We are looking forward to tonight's social and primed for the upcoming adventures.  


Look out, here we come, Kansas City.

Ralph and Carole Brightwell

Day 4 - St. Louis, Missouri

We all met at 9:00 am for our second full day on the tour bus. Our driver was Albert, who was very capable, personable, and quite a wit.  Our tour guide was a gal named Dea.  She was one of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken guides we have had in our thirty years of touring. The day was to be hot.  However, it was mostly overcast and not too hot, and mostly pleasurable.

loading on the bus

We first went to an area in St. Louis called Forest Park.  We drove by and viewed the art museum and lake area in front.  Next we went to the history museum, which has a replica of Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis, and a Thomas Jefferson statue.

Our next excursion was at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  We spent a couple of hours there.  Some of us rode the tram and some walked around the gardens.  It seemed that all were happy. The gardens were prepping for Memorial Day exhibit with lots of Asian displays of dragons, Buddhas and other Oriental themes.  Everything is first class and Missourians must be very proud of what they have.

Chinese Dragon in Botanical Gardens

Everyone was excited and famished when we stopped for lunch at Golden Corral Buffet.  The food was yummy and we were well sated.

Next we were back on the bus and time for a nap.  However, we were on a quest to find the Budweiser Brewery.  The beer drinkers "Holy Grail" soon appeared.  While at the brewery we first had a chance to buy "Bud" everything and then on to see the famous Clydesdales. These are beautiful horses, and live in some pretty fancy digs.

Antique Truck in Clydesdale Barn

The guide took us through the entire operation.  This place is huge and turning out two thousand products an hour.  It is an amazing operation and a really cool tour. At the end of the tour we were able to have one or two or three of their many beers.  I personally tried and recommend the new "Platinum" Bud-Lite.  Sodas were also available for those that chose a non-adult beverage. The tour was over about 4:30 pm and after a half hour drive we were back to our "homes on wheels."

Group enjoying some beers and sodas

After a democratic vote about time for our driver's meeting, we assembled about forty five minutes later.  Everything went smoothly and, hopefully, we will make it to tomorrow's destination.  

We are now finished with this blog, which is an intrusion on beer-thirty.  Later we are going to a campfire (non-wood) at Joe and Donna Risley's patio with all our newfound friends. This is turning out to be a great adventure with what appear to be a very amicable and fun group.

Happy Trails,

Larry and Ada 

Day 3 - St. Louis, Missouri

Day Three of the fabulous Lewis and Clark adventure was jam packed with great activities. Of course the day started with me drawing my typical 'sit in the back rows of the bus' card. But it really went uphill from there.

The first stop with our talented driver, Albert, was the St. Louis Arch. The Gateway to the West. What an imposing structure. Built in the early 1960's, it stands as a symbol and salute to the strength, courage, and endurance of the early settlers of this great country. We got to ride to the top of the structure and experience the imposing view of St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and a large swath of Illinois. We also enjoyed the Museum of Western Expansion located under the Arch.

View from the top of the St. Louis Arch 

 

After lunch and a tour of the old St. Louis Union Railroad Station, we headed to Camp River Dubois. This was the approximate site of the Lewis and Clark camp for the winter of 1803-04. Here, because they were prevented from entering the Louisiana Territory by the Governor, they stocked up, trained, loaded their boats, and added a few boatmen to their numbers. This site is directly across from the Missouri, so the men had the beginning of their journey in sight.

Marker at Camp River Dubois

 

Appropriately, from Dubois, we bussed across to the confluence of the two mighty rivers. The Missouri Department of Conservation has developed the Columbia Bottoms area into a composite of farm land and wild space, with abundant wildlife. At the end of the hiking and biking trails and the road is the viewing platform for the meeting of the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers. Directly across the Mississippi you can see the Tower at the Camp Dubois site, giving perspective to their journey.

Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers

We returned to our camp tired but full of exciting sights and experiences of the day. And, of course, looking forward to tomorrow's adventures. Thank you AC. 

We made it to the top

story by caravaners Dick and Lil Barrett

                                

Day 2 - St. Charles, Missouri

Adventure Caravans - Lewis and Clark- May 23rd, Day 2

This morning we lined up at 9:15 to carpool to the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in downtown St. Charles.  We arrived shortly after 9:30 and were greeted by our tour guide, Vikki.  She took us to the front of the building (which is now the back of the building) and gave us our initial orientation to the site.  The building now faces Main Street, but back in the 1800's the Missouri River was the main hub of activity for the town, so what we see as the back side of the building was the front then, which faced the river.  

Vikki  getting us ready for our tour

Then we were led into the second story of the Capitol Building for an informative talk by yet another tour guide, Ashlee.  St. Charles was chosen as the Capitol because it was in the center of the state, and the Peck Brothers, who owned the building, offered it to the government for free.  They later tried to charge rent, but it went unpaid by the State.  St. Charles was the Capitol from 1821 to 1826.  The upstairs was where the Senate and House chambers were, as well as an office for the Governor.  Apparently in the 1820's nobody wanted to be Governor.  They had a hard time filling the position, and had a succession of four Governors during the five years St. Charles was the Capitol. William Clark was Governor of the Territory of Missouri from 1813 to 1820 prior to Missouri's statehood.  

Our guide was very interesting.  She surprised us all by telling us that the Senators used "laptops" back then.  We were amused at her comparison of their lap desks to our modern day laptops.  She then took us to see the Peck's family residence and general store on the first floor.  Then we were cut loose to wander the old downtown area on our own.  Several of us had lunch in one of the many, many dining establishments.  

Ashlee showing us a "laptop"

Waiting for lunch in downtown St. Charles

At 2:00 we arrived at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Center museum.  Once again, we had a very informative talk given by a gentleman named Bill.  He told us about Lewis and Clark coming to St. Charles and recruiting two Frenchmen who were very adept at river boating.  He told us about them joining the expedition and then told us of their significant roles and adventures along the way.  One thing they did was inform Lewis and Clark that they had packed their boat incorrectly and they had to completely unpack it and re-pack it with heavier items in the front of the boat for stabilization.  Many of us watched a 40 minute film, went downstairs to see the Keelboat replicas and speak with some of the re-enactors that were on site.

keelboat replica

We then headed back to the campground for a relaxing evening, as we have a busy, long day ahead of us tomorrow in St. Louis (and the temperature is going to exceed 90).  Yikes!

All in all a great day.

Your Tailgunners, Spence and Madi Schaaf