A journey across Missouri

The good folks of Missouri should be proud.  This state has been one of our favourites on the trip so far.  We have travelled right across the state today, from St Louis (don't forget to pronounce the 's') across to Independence, just outside Kansas.

Here's our Mustang brooding in Jefferson City.

Today was always expected to be a quiet day, where we just needed to get some more miles on the clock.  To say our expectations were low would be doing Missouri a disservice.  But it was a good day and we have met some delightful people.

Despite the wet weather, we persevered across to Jefferson City, where we crossed the path of the Discovery Corps.  The journal of Lewis and Clarke were one of the books which inspired my interest in  crossing this country, as well as my interest in Native American history.  So it was great to stand at the point where the expedition had passed along the Missouri River and which had been recorded in the journals.

This is one of my favourite statues, including York, the only African on the expedition, Lewis, Seaman the dog, Clarke and George Drouillard.  Sadly, the museum at the landing site was closed for the season.

Jefferson City was well worth a visit and we heartily recommend the Coffee Zone.  You have to respect a coffee shop that names one of its coffees 'rocket fuel'.

From Jefferson, the capital of Missouri, it was onwards to Independence, the hometown of local hero Harry Truman.  We met some great people in the Exchange bar, who were happy to tell us the history of the area and how all the gold rush trails came through the city.

Cafe Verona in Independence is highly recommended.

So, as it has been a quiet day, we have time to reflect on a few stats from the trip so far.

Distance covered:                            1161 miles

Distance covered with roof up:        1136 miles

With roof down:                               25 miles. (Would have been another 7 but got scared by man with umbrella in DC)

Extra cost to rent convertible:          250 dollars

Price per mile with roof down :        10 dollars

number of towns passed since DC: 80

Number of pedestrians seen since DC: 3

Number of McDonalds passed:    157

Number of McDonalds visited:      Nil

Most exotic road kill spotted:        Black bear (what would Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall have done with that?)

Accidents:                                      Nil

Near misses:                                  Nil

One way streets driven the wrong way:  1

Times mistaken for police:                      1

Times left rough bar quickly after

being mistaken for police:                      1     

Tomorrow we're driving through Kansas, on the trail of Wyatt Earp.  We'll see you in Dodge City, one of the main reasons for choosing this route!  All will be revealed... :0)