Southeast Missouri; Two State Parks
Chris and I have been to southeast Missouri multiple times and two of our favorite state parks in that area are Elephant Rocks and Johnson's Shut-Ins. Our son, Eric, and his family decided to take a four day weekend and visit these two parks. We were lucky enough to be invited along. Eric drove the family mini-van and Chris and I went on the Goldwing.
Thursday; July 14, 2016
Chris and I wanted to leave at a good time to beat the summer heat. We departed at 7:00. It was already in the 70's and humid, partly due to dense fog in places. We rode into Missouri and through Lee's Summit, Sedalia, Jefferson City and Vienna on our way to St. James, where we stopped for lunch.
We have been by this place multiple times but never stopped, so we decided to give it a try. If the number of cars and trucks in the parking lot was any indicator this would be a great place to eat - Country Bob's Cafe on the north side of St. James.
We partook of the buffet they offered. Fried chicken, pulled pork, fried fish (catfish, I think), meatloaf and sausage made for a nice selection of meats and there were also vegetables, potatoes, breads and dessert. It was LARRAPIN good! I took this photo after I'd eaten the sausage and some of the fish.
With full bellies (especially mine) we rode through Steelville and Potosi on our way to our destination, Farmington, MO. We arrived at about 2:00 and our high temperature for the day was a steamy 92. We would make this our home for three nights while we visited the state parks.
Eric and his family arrived at about 5:00. We all went out for dinner, did some swimming in the motel pool and then called it a night.
Friday; July 15, 2016
We left the Goldwing parked and rode in the mini-van with the others to Johnson Shut-Ins State Park (ShutIns). Here the east fork of the Black River flows through rock formations, slides and pools. We had a grand time.
After a late picnic lunch in the park Eric, Molly, Jenna and Ben went for a hike. Then it rained . . . . and rained some more. We all got soaked but it wasn't that big a deal since we were all in our swim clothes anyway.
Back in Farmington we had a fine meal at The Pasta House before calling it a night.
Saturday; July 16, 2016
Today we all loaded up and drove a short distance to Elephant Rocks State Park (ElephantRocks). We all had a great time hiking and climbing on the rocks but Chris and I were really surprised how well Jenna and Ben liked it. They said they liked it better than the shut-ins.
We had a snacking picnic in the park and then the youngsters did some more hiking, climbing and exploring.
Back in Farmington we had a Dairy Queen treat, did some swimming in the motel pool, played some games and called it a night.
Sunday; July 17, 2016
Chris and I took off at 7:30 and rode the reverse of the route we rode on Thursday. The exception is that we met Eric and family at Heroes (Heroes) in Warrensburg at 12:30 for lunch. It still takes a long time to get your food there, but the food is still very good and I really enjoyed the onion rings again.
After lunch we rode on home with a high temperature of 97. It was a cooker.
Summary
We had a great trip, riding 600 miles in two days. We really enjoyed spending time with Eric, Molly, Jenna and Ben exploring two Missouri state parks.
Life is very good. We are blessed!
To see all the pictures taken click on the following link:
SoutheastMO
Thursday; July 14, 2016
Chris and I wanted to leave at a good time to beat the summer heat. We departed at 7:00. It was already in the 70's and humid, partly due to dense fog in places. We rode into Missouri and through Lee's Summit, Sedalia, Jefferson City and Vienna on our way to St. James, where we stopped for lunch.
We have been by this place multiple times but never stopped, so we decided to give it a try. If the number of cars and trucks in the parking lot was any indicator this would be a great place to eat - Country Bob's Cafe on the north side of St. James.
With full bellies (especially mine) we rode through Steelville and Potosi on our way to our destination, Farmington, MO. We arrived at about 2:00 and our high temperature for the day was a steamy 92. We would make this our home for three nights while we visited the state parks.
Eric and his family arrived at about 5:00. We all went out for dinner, did some swimming in the motel pool and then called it a night.
Friday; July 15, 2016
We left the Goldwing parked and rode in the mini-van with the others to Johnson Shut-Ins State Park (ShutIns). Here the east fork of the Black River flows through rock formations, slides and pools. We had a grand time.
After a late picnic lunch in the park Eric, Molly, Jenna and Ben went for a hike. Then it rained . . . . and rained some more. We all got soaked but it wasn't that big a deal since we were all in our swim clothes anyway.
Back in Farmington we had a fine meal at The Pasta House before calling it a night.
Saturday; July 16, 2016
Today we all loaded up and drove a short distance to Elephant Rocks State Park (ElephantRocks). We all had a great time hiking and climbing on the rocks but Chris and I were really surprised how well Jenna and Ben liked it. They said they liked it better than the shut-ins.
Back in Farmington we had a Dairy Queen treat, did some swimming in the motel pool, played some games and called it a night.
Sunday; July 17, 2016
Chris and I took off at 7:30 and rode the reverse of the route we rode on Thursday. The exception is that we met Eric and family at Heroes (Heroes) in Warrensburg at 12:30 for lunch. It still takes a long time to get your food there, but the food is still very good and I really enjoyed the onion rings again.
After lunch we rode on home with a high temperature of 97. It was a cooker.
Summary
We had a great trip, riding 600 miles in two days. We really enjoyed spending time with Eric, Molly, Jenna and Ben exploring two Missouri state parks.
Life is very good. We are blessed!
To see all the pictures taken click on the following link:
SoutheastMO
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