MISSOURI
The next state was Missouri.�� To the left is the Chain of Rocks Bridge.�� The book we had read on 66 said this bridge was due for demolition before we left for the trip so we weren't expecting to see it.� Thats why we only have this one picture.�� It is famous on 66 for the curve in the middle of the bridge.�� Today you can use it as a walking bridge.
The picture of the bridge was taken while crossing the mighty Mississippi.� While crossing and looking at the St. Louis arch, we all had to quote Chevy Chase in Vacation by singing "Deep River"� Our first stop in Missouri was to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Stand.�� It was pretty early in the morning and not all that warm, but we had to try the custard.�� If you are ever in the St. Louis area, make sure and stop at Ted Drewes.�� You will not be disappointed, it was terrific.��
Just a shot of the stand itself.�� This business has been in the same family since the early days of 66 and in the same building.��
All through Illinois and Missouri you see old barns advertising Meramec Caverns.�� This a good example of one that still looks great.�� Not as gaudy as a billboard and it gives you a nice feeling of nostalgia.�� While going home this past summer on route 80 through Illinois I actually saw an old barn with a Meramec Caverns sign.�� That barn had to be a good 600 miles away from the caves itself.
We rolled into Stanton, Missouri and the Meramec Caverns that afternoon.� It is a definite tourist trap, playing up the fact that Jesse James and his band of outlaws robbed a local place and hid out in the cave and ultimately gave the posse who came after them the slip by going out a secret exit.�� To the lower left is "loot rock", supposedly where they split up there take.�� It was actually a pretty cool place though, with a lot of stalagtites and stalagmites as pictured left.�� It was also very cool, temperature wise which was a nice break from the hot weather outside.
Scott fancies himself quite the geologist I guess.�� We always like taking unsuspecting pictures of Scott, they seem to always come out funny.�� Below is another picture from inside the cave.�� It is a free standing rock table of some nature, pretty weird looking if you ask me.
To the right is just a shot of the many unique business advertisements along the highway.�� I guess living atop a huge pole is a better fate than the crusher for this Caddy.
