309 miles at the end of the day. The weather was very hot and humid and only got hotter.
Click on a picture to view it larger - Rick
Here we are, ready to meet adventure. Our 7:30 departure time changed to noon after a series of misadventures.
Wow, look at all that ketchup. We should have brought corn dogs! This is the world�s largest ketchup bottle in Collinsville, IL.
The people working at Dairyhaven in Caseyville, IL were very excited about our trip and happy to help us unroll the banner for its first photo moment.
We said hello and see you later to St. Louis. We�ll be back through here in a month.
We joined Route 66 in St. Louis, and our first official Route 66 stop was the brand new Missouri Route 66 State Park. The superintendent of the park gave us buttons to share with the kids in Evansville.
We had a great time touring Meramec Caves! Jane found it much changed since she visited it as a little girl with her grandpa. Will was our tour guide and performed a light show to conclude our tour by flicking light switches to the tune of �God Bless America�. The flickering lights on the stalactites and stalagmites were not as dazzling as Jane remembered from 28 years ago, but Amy got a big kick our of it anyhow. Jane made a good luck piece in an old token machine and is now carrying it with her everywhere. It says, �Amy and Jane Grand Canyon Pro�. (She ran out of room at a really good place.)