Four states in one day

Waking up in the mountains of Missouri, we were able to appreciate the beauty of where we were a little more. After breakfast, we briefly played in the Current River which ran next to the park where we stayed. 

We then loaded up and started to make our way back east. The only place we really got out today and enjoyed was our lunch stop. Our travels found us at the spot where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers come together. This has been an extremely important place throughout the history of our country, from the Native Americans, through the explorers, and into the Civil War era. Here the kids are putting their feet in the convergence point. The green on the right is Missouri, the land beyond the two boats on the left side is Kentucky, and we are standing in Illinois. Three states in one spot.

The unfortunate thing about the place is that it is not kept up at all. I suppose the state of Illinois is responsible for it, but chooses to not really do anything with it. As important as it has been throughout our nation's history, you would expect more. It honestly looks like a place you would hide a body or go to make a drug deal. And yet, we saw probably a dozen people come to visit it while we were there (and not for the reasons mentioned).

After lunch, we plowed on through Kentucky and ended our day at Megan's aunt's house in Nashville. Thanks to Auntie M and Uncle Larry for having us and for some great hot dogs and hamburgers. We are so blessed to have a great family to spend a small bit of time with throughout this whole experience.

Slowly but surely we are making our way eastward. And a few days from now home.