Looking to take a drive on the wild side? Here's one possibility that's out there.
Nestled in Southwestern Missouri outside the small town of Eagle Rock near the Arkansas border lies Eureka Springs Safari Park. This drive through menagerie is closely associated with the Promised Land Zoo, found about an hour to the east in Branson, Missouri. Family operated since 1992, the park holds several dozen different species of wild animals, both endangered and widely found, across over a hundred acres of land. In addition to the safari experience, whether self-guided or with a tour representative, a small petting zoo with several more species of animals may be found for all ages to visit.
As you enter the property, you are greeted at a building filled with the stench of excrement from the several dozen guinea pigs corralled in the back. This is a sign of things to come. After paying what is a complete rip-off of a price for what is offered and its means, the journey begins. Emus and antelopes begin to walk to your window begging for the overpriced pellets upsold at the door, tapping at the windows of the "cheapskates" as if the staff wants patrons to fulfill the animals' nutritional needs. In some cases of looking at the animals, you can tell that may be the expectation. As you drive along, Bible verses adorn the property, which almost seem to be a distraction from the lack of care for the grounds the staff has. Once the course is complete, if you're lucky to find any parking, the petting zoo is through the back of the original building, but good luck bringing a service animal if you require one, as they are prohibited.
At the end of the day, the experience at Eureka Springs Safari Park was fairly underwhelming. The hour drive from Branson was not worth the trip. In fact, it is our sincere hope that what we saw is not a sign of what is found at Promised Land Zoo, which was not visited, although we saw transporter trucks every now and then along the safari course. There are plenty of city zoos and safari drives across North America that offer a much more enjoyable family experience, and although what was seen at Eureka Springs wasn't the worst thing in the world, it is not a place where we would return without significant improvements.
So the next time your Internal Compass calls you to the wild animals, there's no shame in following it, but be careful where you seek what you wish to find.
Any road trip enthusiast who travels this country is drawn to a historic route. They want a route winding from Chicago to Santa Monica, even if only for a few of the 2000 miles.
United States Route 66, the Mother Road, is one of the most famous roadways in pop culture. Navigating through eight midwestern and western states, drivers and riders experience a nostalgic look at Main Street USA, small tourist attractions, and a reminder of a golden age of Americana. Route 66 has long since been decommissioned by the Federal government and replaced by the Interstate Highway system, most notably interstates 55, 44, and 40. However, many states have come to pick up the maintenance of this road, and recent signage allows the driver to know they are along what used to be this well known highway.
When driving between Oklahoma City and the northeastern border of the state, Route 66 remains a great way to avoid the tolls of the Will Rogers Turnpike. Most of the Mother Road in the state has been designated today as State Highway 66. Make a stop at the Blue Whale of Catoosa, situated along the highway just outside of Tulsa. First built by Hugh Davis and completed in 1972, the whale served as a small water park for travelers throughout his life. Although closed in the 90's after the owner died, this attraction has since been re-opened and is now maintained by the city of Catoosa. As you travel further northeast, there are many indications of the "Historic Route 66" breaking from the state highway. Some of these instances are for what is known as "sidewalk highways", barely wide enough for one lane and wouldn't conform to today's US highway standards. However, it may also be to bypass a populated city center, which might not want to be missed. As an example, consider taking the turn in Miami, passing under The Gateway on Main Street through the heart of the city.
Those who know the popular song about Route 66 may wonder why eight states was mentioned here, as opposed to the seven referenced either directly or by city name in the song. Many forget that the Mother Road passes through approximately ten miles in Kansas, especially since today's interstate highway alternative doesn't even touch this state. Today, the majority of this road has been reduced to a byway, but still has its classic route designation on the road itself, along with historic markers to help find the way. Hopping off Alternate US 69 allows the driver and riders to experience the Field of Dreams in Baxter Springs, and if traveling southwest, cross the Rainbow Bridge across the Brush Creek. This bridge has been reduced to one way travel with a two-lane alternative to the side, but remains on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a sight to see. Once back to the main highway, the state has designated highway 66 to take the traveler through Galena before reaching Missouri and the city of Joplin.
The next time your Internal Compass sends you west, get your kicks and follow it along the Mother Road of Route 66.
Hey, fishermen! Get your bait ready, and head to the Natural State, as do we have quite the location for you.
Running throughout Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri is the major tributary, the White River. Starting at the Boston Mountains, the White River twists and turns through the area, forming several lakes along the way thanks to the work of the Army Corps of Engineers (CoE), before finally emptying into the Mississippi River after over 700 miles of flow. The White River has many tributaries off from it, including, as part of the National Park system and one of its few free-to-visit sites, the Buffalo National River.
Many anglers will find their way to Cotter AR, colloquially known as "Trout Capital USA". People from all over the south and midwest flock to Big Spring Park in the heart of the town and set off in their motorboats, kayaks, and other water vessels to explore this wonderful area and try their hand and catch-and-release trout fishing. Even those wishing to stay on land have plenty of options at this park, such as seeing the tribute to the now defunct Missouri Pacific Railroad, including a caboose donated by the rail company. Even if it's a nature trail walk along the bluff overlooking the river, or on the island in the middle of the river, this place has something for everyone.
The White River is known for having several settled lakes along its path as a result of the flood control efforts of the Army CoE. Just east of Bentonville lies Beaver Lake, known for its limestone bluffs. Further down near the city of Branson, lies Lake Taneycomo. This lake is unique in that, although it is officially a lake, it has the look and feel of a river. While in downtown Branson, take a walk along the lakeside with the commercial plaza just to the other side. Further downstream lies Bull Shoals Lake, another fine boating location for recreationers. Although flooding is still of concern in the early parts of the year as you head further downstream, the river is allowed to flow naturally through the National Wildlife Refuge of southeastern Arkansas before emptying into the mighty Mississippi.
So the next time your internal compass tells you to go to the water, consider the White River. It may just be the place for you.
Calling all aspiring spelunkers! Time to grab your head lamps and head to Southwestern Missouri for a unique experience and opportunity.
Just north of Springfield, Missouri lies Crystal Cave. Like many of these natural wonders, these caves have been developed for thousands of years. Situated on property owned by the Mann family, Crystal Cave became one of the oldest caves to be a tourist destination in Missouri, dating all the way back to 1893. A fun family outing for many years, and after generations of ownership including both family and trusted friends, as well as varying levels of commitment to upkeep, Crystal Cave was recently purchased and rehabilitated to once again become a place to experience.
While at Crystal Cave, take one of the hourly guided tours of the inside of the cave. Pass through some of the locally repurposed fencing and gates before entering the awe-inspiring first room. While inside, be sure to visit many marvels such as the Upside-Down Well, the Cathedral Chamber, and one of the most exciting, Jacob's Room. See a number of Helictite features within these caves, which are similar in location to stalactites, but come in a formation similar to a corkscrew, believed to be a result of the soil above. Although the cave is not easily accessible to those with limited mobility, features have been added by the present ownership to make the chambers easy to traverse for even the largest sized of guests.
If some of those in your party are claustrophobic, or you're waiting for your tour of the cave to begin, never fear, because the Crystal Cave property has plenty more to go around. Take a ride on a small train through the grounds, learning about the area. Step inside the gift shop and play a nine-hole round of mini-golf. Experience some of the nostalgic game machines found in the penny arcade. Perhaps pan for some gems and fossils as you sift through the dirt to find these treasures. Or just view and read about the history of Crystal Cave and the surrounding area. Plenty of choices await you when you visit.
So the next time your internal compass takes you underground, follow it into Crystal Cave. Nature will be your teacher as you re-charge yourself through exploration.
Looking for a fun seasonal destination? Love a good show, but stuck in the midwest? Looking for some fun family entertainment between all the shows? Never fear, there's a place in southwest Missouri for you.
Welcome to Branson, Missouri: The Live Music Capital of the World. Branson is a small city about 35 miles south of the famed Route 66 via the city of Springfield. Branson is nestled right within the rolling hills of the Ozarks along one of the major tributaries of this area: the White River. Once you make it to Main Street, a choice exists. Head east, and you'll visit the historic Downtown district, with many quaint shops and the first of the show attractions for which Branson is famous, the Owen Theatre. Head west, and you'll come across a multitude of theatres founded by many celebrities such as Dolly Parton, Yakov Smirnoff, Shoji Tabuchi, and Andy Williams. Before seeing one of these shows, perhaps visit one of several visitor centers which, like the eastern counterpart in Times Square of New York City, offers discount tickets to several shows in town.
If live shows aren't your thing, or you need something to do in the daytime, then never fear, because Branson has plenty for you. Visit a museum dedicated to the most famous oceanic mishap of the 20th century: the Titanic. Ripley's and Hollywood have also established a few of their brand of museums along the way. Maybe go to one of many family fun centers for a round of mini-golf, some go-karting, or ride the roller coasters that take advantage of the natural steep hills of the Ozarks. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of tourists, head outside the city for some spellunking. Southwestern Missouri is filled with many cave centers and other natural wonders for you and your family to explore. Grab a bite to eat at Paula Deen's famous restaurant downtown, some barbecue at several locations along the western Main Street, or at the ice cream and novelty shops throughout downtown and the west. Whether you're six or sixty, you're bound to have fun everywhere in Branson.
If you plan to take a trip to the area, remember that Branson is very much a seasonal location. The winter finds many of the venues and restaurants closed, while the retailers to the north of the city continue to service the locals. Once spring rolls around, everything begins to open in anticipation of the tourist season running through the summer. Plenty of hotels are centrally located along the theatre row of western Main Street, with RV parks and campgrounds around the outside. Springfield isn't far up US Route 65 if larger box retailers are needed for a re-supply.
So while your internal compass takes you southwest, maybe make a stop in Branson. Good times await all on your adventure.
When many think about the midwest, they'll think of corn and wheat fields. Others will think about barbecue. There are a few, though, that will consider an up-and-coming mountainous area of this country.
Introducing the Ozark National Forest, otherwise known as the Interior Highlands of the United States. The Ozarks are mostly situated in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri, with a slight extension into Oklahoma and Kansas. Access to the Ozarks is limited in terms of interstate highways, but can be reached from United States routes 65 and 67 to the north and south, as well as through Missouri on U.S. Route 60, and through Arkansas along U.S. Route 62, famous for being the only east-west signed highway to connect, save for a couple blocks, the Mexican and Canadian borders.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, the Ozarks are certainly for you, as there are a vast amount of mountains and lakes to enjoy. Head to Northern Arkansas and visit the Buffalo National River. Designated as the first National River in the 1970s, this area is maintained by the National Park Service. If fishing is your cup of tea, perhaps head to the twin lakes of Norfork and Bull Shoals. Plenty of hunting grounds also exist across the national forest. RVers may also have heard rumors of the famed campgrounds built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or CoE. This organization set aside dozens of grounds within the Ozarks for visitors to be able to enjoy these vast highlands, both for camping at an economical price, as well as day use.
Perhaps you're more of a city-goer. Never fear, within the Interior Highlands are a few places for you. The Springfield Plateau, one of the regions of the Ozarks, is named after the largest city in this area, Springfield MO. If you enjoy live theatre, you may want to head a little south to Branson MO, sometimes called the Broadway of the west. Head down into Arkansas to the famous city of Bentonville AR. It was here that the Walton family owned and operated a general store that soon expanded to become the internationally renowned retail establishment known as "Wal-Mart".
No matter how your internal compass is wired, the next time you're in the southern central United States, it may just lead you to a wonderful time in the Ozarks.
For trip number six, on the way to the south, another stop was had. Landing Point RV Park is an approximately 80 site ground on the outskirts of the city of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Our stay at this full-year park was for one full week.
Grounds: This park is located a couple miles off Interstate 55 and its corresponding Business Loop through the city. It can be accessed by a rural minor state highway from the north, but access from the south requires you to take a busy thoroughfare. The signage for this place, although very unique in an old trailer, is placed parallel to the access road, resulting in the park being missed more than once. The park is located near a residential area of Cape Girardeau, along with a storage unit, restaurant, and golf course. The city, with big box and national chain convenience, is merely a short drive away.
Sites: Landing Point has approximately eighty living sites and several storage pads, all for RVs and travel trailers, mostly back-in but a few pull-through. Each site has a level concrete pad and concrete patio on which your decorations are minimally expected to be. Appropriate shade from shared trees exist. All sites have full hook-ups, including basic cable TV. Be sure you have a water pressure regulator, as the water comes from an open-close pump instead of a variable faucet. In addition, we noticed a constant smell like a non-airtight black tank not observed in any other stay. A small fire pit exists off the patio. Each site is very well marked, with a map although not up to date, easy to understand. Plenty of room is available for a tow vehicle to enjoy what Cape Girardeau has to offer.
Staff: The park's staff leaves plenty of room for improvement. Although we ensured a worker (assumed to be the owner) was at the office for an appointed check-in time, this was the extent of our good fortunes. Office staff at other times visited was either discourteous or non-existent, choosing not to man the office during some of the listed hours. Grounds staff almost immediately saw the need to bark at us about regulations, an overbearing list the park chooses to deflect on a corporation to suit their controlling desires, while ignoring an unattended dog tied outside a site that never seemed to move. Meanwhile, the aforementioned staff was seen doing "busy work", mowing lawns twice in a day instead of addressing noticed amenity deficiencies. On one occasion, the owners decided to have the entire park's water shut off because of a purported heater tank issue at their regulation-breaking not-so-portable site, and refused to notify anyone at the park. The next day, they chose to shut it off again, although notifying guests by voice mail, during when campers are trying to sanitize their grey/black tanks and fill potable before check-out, instead of scheduling for the time between check-out and first check-ins when most continuous guests are out for the day.
Amenities: The grounds offer limited amenities, although most visitors will more than likely want to experience the nearby city. The sites are on an approximately half-mile paved walking loop. A small dog park exists, although moved from where the map shows. This dog park was adorned with waste that some owners refuse to clean, and untouched by maintenance staff for what seemed like weeks in some cases. Children may enjoy a small playground. Bath houses had a very odd layout, one of which contained two shower stalls and one toilet, another of which was a powder room with no shower stall, along with the "Managment" [sic] placing an over-abundance of signage about their regulations and wanting to evict people. A community fire pit also exists, although doesn't seem to ever be in use, as what seemed like weeks of tree trimmings were piled high on the area, and never a fire seen on any day of our stay. A laundromat exists, although a bit on the pricey side, was able to suit our needs.
Atmosphere: This park seems more like a place where long-term guests just stay while doing other things. Hardly any interaction was seen during nightly walks around the grounds. Not much excitement was seen about the park, so if anyone was there, we didn't see them. Once in a while, a friendly neighbor would offer greetings. Hot and sticky weather may have contributed to these feelings, along with an abundance of rain when we arrived, but even in fair weather, activities and fun times would be noticed. Even when talking with locals around the city, no excitement is drummed about this park.
Landing Point RV Park receives a 4 rating out of a possible 10. Although the price point was on a more moderate level, it doesn't make up for the lackluster experience had. Even over-hearing a comment from another camper about getting what we pay for, we've found better experiences at lower prices. Needless to say, unless a change in management is had, we will not be returning to this park. If we ever visit the area again, there is one other RV park within the city area to try.
From one river to the next, we head south down the Lewis and Clark Trail to Missouri. After spending plenty of time at one of the country's great river, we head a little east to, arguably, its greatest river.
The Mississippi River runs north and south down the center of the United States, serving as a border and/or major water arterial for a total of ten different states. The Mississippi has always had plenty of history, first serving as the western border for the original Colonial America prior to British limitations for governance, and later reinstated once the states gained their independence. Today, call signs for radio and television stations are separated by this mighty river, with most to the east beginning with W, and most to the west beginning with K.
When you hear Missouri and the Mississippi River, most think of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch, or Hannibal, the original home of Samuel Langhorn Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. However, take a ride further south down the river to the city of Cape Girardeau. This city served as an important point during the American Civil War for the Union army, as they sought to hold control of the Mississippi, culminating in a battle in 1863. Some artifacts and ruins still exist, and can be toured. If war history isn't your cup of tea, head to the wall separating the city center from the river. On the city side, enjoy a wonderful mural of Missouri history in general, along with a tribute to several of the state's most famous residents. On the river side, take a lovely walk along the shore, seeing one of the old riverboats once very important to the area.
After experiencing Cape Girardeau, cross the river to Illinois and head south along the famous Great River Road. After passing the city of Cairo, head to Fort Defiance State Park. This is the point where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, along with the borders of three states. Wonderful views exist from a small tower, or head to the rocky point. After visiting, you find a junction of several US highways. Cross the Ohio River bridge and head into Kentucky, towards the towns of Wickliffe and Paducah. While on the bridge, a lovely view of barges and riverboats can be seen. Or perhaps cross the older Mississippi River bridge into Missouri. Either head towards the towns of Wyatt and Sikeston, or do some fishing at Bird's Blue Hole.
So next time you head to the Mississippi River, follow your internal compass. Perhaps it will take you to southern Missouri and the views of the great river.
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