Stuart Day 13

Getting to know the locals

Stonehenge in Rolla

God Bless America!

The Lake of the Ozarks

Yesterday was slightly cloudy, keeping the temperature in the low 80s, and this morning was similar. We jumped into the car and made for the Lake of the Ozarks State Park (65049). We hiked three of the trails and very nice it was too. By lunchtime, the sky had cleared and it was up into the 90s again, so our hiking was well timed. We then drove south towards R66, which we joined at Waynesville (65583). After lunch at the Paradise Deli (we much prefer the independents to the chains), we followed the old road to Rolla (65401), where we discovered the original Stonehenge, which I always thought was in England. On we rolled towards St Louis, stopping to view the Meramec Caverns at Stanton (63079). Caves are caves, but these were quite spectacular, climaxing in a splendid lightshow around a curtain of stalagtites to the tune of, yes you've guessed it, God Bless America. Our guide's dexterity on the light switches was amazing (no hi-tech in Missouri!). By this time we were ready for our evening meal and plumped for the highly recommended Red Cedar Inn, a long-standing gem of R66, in Pacific (63069). We drove into the car park and immediately sensed that something was not quite right. All the restaurant signs were still there, including the neon "Open", but when we got to the door we realised that it was now a second-hand car dealership! Ho Hum. Undaunted, we returned to the strip in Pacific and the Rail Bar. What a fine place! The owner was brought over to meet us (and duly bought us a drink) and we were introduced to everyone in the bar, who dutifully came over and shook our hands. We are getting very used to being asked 'What are you doing over here?', replying 'Driving Route 66' and being told 'Why would you wanna do that?'. Well, we're enjoying it. 3000 miles turned over today and we have just over 300 to go to Chicago.