Today we bounced around the Iowa-Nebraska border, rounded Kansas City (which bugs me by refusing to be in Kansas) and headed to the near-center of Missouri to a little state park called Knob Noster. After such a lovely campground yesterday in Iowa, it is hard for this ace to compare but it has some charm nonetheless. We got here early enough to let the kids have some down time and get to bed at a decent hour.
Having an introvert and an extrovert child is often a challenge. The kids have been doing really well in the backseat but there are little ways you can tell who is energized and who is drained. Duncan is as happy as a clam. He and I are sharing a bunk so he is rarely alone these days. He's so happy about that he's bubbling over with enthusiasm - snuggling, laughing, holding hands and playing around. The phrase "pig in mud" comes to mind. Ainsley is also having fun and being a great spot about it all but she is also tired and really very grateful whenever we give her a chance to be alone, which is hard to swing when we are sleeping in a pop-up and spending most of the day in the car. If I had this to do over again I would plan some down time for her somehow.
Well enough chatter, here are today's pics:
Yesterday's campground was the Lewis and Clark state park of Iowa. They had a replica of a Keel boat that the Corps of Discovery sailed/rowed up the Missouri River that we checked out on our way out of camp this morning
There was *another* keel boat at the Lewis and Clark center in Nebraska City that had oars we could test out. My stepmom (the aforementioned Grandma Judy of national park passport fame) suggested this place and it was great! We never would have stopped there without her recommendation. More from there:
Seaman, Lewis & Clark's dog!
Native American earth dwelling
Did you know the Missouri River used to flood like the Nile?
Silly pose with gift shop finds
A wrong turn someplace?!?
D and I spotted this raccoon by the dumpster this afternoon. With raccoons this bold in the daytime, we decided to put our cooler in the car tonight. The kids love telling the story of the raccoon that took food from a cooler when we were camped on the coast but it is one of those life stories you only need 1 of!
Every camp has something special. Knob Noster's claim to fame is the first lightening bug my kids have seen in several years!
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