Our last day in Missouri on this particular trip, we had a bit of time to kill before heading back to the St. Louis Lambert Airport. As it was only about 15 minutes from the rental car company, we made a stop at the Gateway Arch for my seventh visit to a national park this… Continue reading Gateway Arch National Park
The bluffs above Big Piney St. Robert is kind of in the middle of nowhere, Missouri. Located in Pulaski County between St. Louis and Branson, it is considered the gateway community to the U.S. Army's Fort Leonard Wood. Indeed, that was why we were there. We were celebrating Jacob's graduation from basic training, and with… Continue reading A Day in St. Robert, Missouri
Snyder's Castle Whenever I think of the state of Missouri, my first thought is lush green forests with natural bridges, charming streams, and European castles. I mean, where else would you go to find castle ruins and carriage houses... Though I jest, it is indeed true that one can pay a visit to an old… Continue reading Ha Ha Tonka State Park
A fish swam into a concrete wall. Oh dam. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is located in the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park and supplies drinking water to residents of the San Francisco Bay area. The reservoir is contained by the massive 430-foot O'Shaughnessy Dam, which was built in the 1920s along the main stem of… Continue reading Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
A famous 'jumping frog' figurine "I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the bar-room stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's... He roused up and gave me good-day." -Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Our adventure into Sierra gold country continued following our crossing over the… Continue reading Angels Camp: Mark Twain and the Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County
The Cranky Camper 