Central Missouri

Well here we are at Lone Jack, MO in central Missouri.  We picked this place as a likely stopping place on our way south and really didn’t expect much from it.  One of the lessons you learn when you are on the road is that some of the most unlikely places are sometimes the best.  Our park is wonderful.  There are geese in for a stop on their migratory route to and from their breeding grounds and summer domain.  They are noisy and rambunctious and have no fear of humans here … apparently they have memorized the safe places they can stop on their long trip.

The park here is surrounded by lakes and rivers and inundated with trees … wonderful!  Lynda and I took our Segways and toured the park a couple of times.   It has putt, putt golf, a ball field, and an archery range.   Too bad we forgot our bows and arrows!  One of the trees that caught our attention was the brain fruit tree (also known as "hedge apples") ...  see pictures one and two below.

Although the park was beautiful and our rig overlooked a river, we did get out to Independence, MO for a couple of attractions.  We debated whether or not to visit the Truman Presidential Library… after all, what is there to do in a library … we have our kindles if we want to read.  We finally decided to go … nothing else much to do that day.  It was magnificent!  What were we thinking?  We learned more about the seven years he was president then we had ever imagined.  It was a wonderful experience.  We have now put all the other presidential libraries on our MUST DO list.  If you have a chance you absolutely have to see this.  Excellent!!

After four hours at the library … and we could have spent more, we were really hungry.  One of the things Lynda wanted to do most in the Kansas City area was eat KC ribs.  We found a place in a questionable neighborhood in Independence called “Gates Bar B Que”.  They had been in business around 70 years so we figured they must be good …  good?   Good?  What were we thinking?  They were great!  We split something called “4 bones” it came with 4 ribs, two sides of sliced meat (we had ham and brisket) and two sides (we had fries and baked beans) and three slices of white bread.  Total cost 25 dollars. … Total result …Yummmmmmmm!

This stop seemed too short.  It wasn’t long before we were on our way to the Missouri Ozarks.  We usually don’t stop along the way from place to place because it is too hard to find a place to park.  However, on our way south we found two places to stop.  The first was a funky cheese shop with a zillion types of cheeses to sample called Osceola Cheese.  We bought a Swiss (Kim) and a sharp cheddar (Lynda).

Another stop was at Lambert’s Café … home of the “Throwed Rolls” (I take no responsibility for the poor grammar).  We heard of this place on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives and again from some campers at Forest City.  They throw hot rolls at you here … but that is not all.   Most of what you order is “all you can eat” and even if it’s not … there are dishes called “pass arounds” (fried potatoes, tomatoes and macaroni, black eyed peas, and fried okra) that are available all of the time … eat all you want!  No one goes hungry here!  If you  are in Ozark, Missouri, this is a place not to miss!  Wow, great meal!!

Looking forward to the Ozarks!  Until next time, keep doing what you love!