Day 12 - Joplin MO to St. Louis MO (Updated 6/16)

Turtles have been relevant in our travels.  On the second day, we stopped by the Visitors Center at the Joshua Tree Park where we listened to a presentation from one of the Park Rangers on the turtles in the park.   She cautioned against picking them up to move them as their reaction would be to void all fluids from their bodies causing dehydration.

As we were driving, we were listening to an audible recording of The Grapes of Wrath which included references to Route 66 as the Joad family traveled along Route 66 during part of their journey west to California. The turtle is a symbol of longevity, endurance, persistence, and the continuation of life (sometimes against incredible odds).

We encountered this creature as we left the hotel this morning.  Remembering the rangers caution, the turtle remained untouched and made his/her way to the other side of the road. (Why did the turtle cross the road?...)

 This is the view on one of the main roads in Joplin at 9:30AM on Saturday May 26th. Where is everyone?  Maybe they're sleeping in due to the Memorial Day holiday.

Joplin was devastated by a tornado in 2011. It killed 158 people and injured hundreds of others. During the recovery the butterfly became a symbol of the hopeful spirit and transformation of the town and inspired the following mural.

While we were looking at the butterfly mural, Ginny noticed a butterfly fluttering around us. It set down at our feet. A nice surprise.  

Joplin, as with many other towns on Rt 66, has many other murals throughout the downtown area

A subsection of the mural above

 

There is even a mural park. With a replica of the record "Get your kicks on Route 66". This is also were we exchanged our car for a nicer ride.

Our car needed to be washed and we found a unique car wash. You pay at a drive-up window. Everything else is handled by automation:  alignment in the bay; how far up to drive and when to stop to be properly setup on the conveyor; “Car in neutral, foot off the brake”, when to drive away.  No people involved.  And the car was nicely cleaned.

Inside the Joplin Museum Complex is a section for the Joplin Sports Hall of Fame containing plaques for a few well known professional baseball players.

 

Also, a beautiful antique fire engine.

Then, it was on to Springfield MO, the self proclaimed birthplace of Route 66

The main street through town had an abundance of cafes. We stopped at the Civil Kitchen  where we saw sweet potato brulee on the menu, tried it and loved it.

Leaving Joplin we saw the unique Missouri way of identifying the local roads:  no numbers, just letters.

There are many old (but structurally sound ) bridges along Rt 66. The Route 66 sign appears everyone on the roadway. And the scenery along the ride continues to be beautiful.