We both wanted a shorter travel day today, and we found an interesting place for an early stop. We were camped at the Mark Twain Campground by about 11:30 am.
This is a pretty neat place, just outside Hannibal MO. A lot of the content of the Tom Sawyer books is based around here, where Sam Clements grew up. To get to Hannibal from the east you need to cross the Mississippi River:
The park was pretty empty when we checked in. It's pretty well full now though, partly due to a largish caravan (20 big-rigs or more) that arrived this afternoon:
We decided to take a guided cave tour in the afternoon. This is a cave that's used in Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer books. Lots of Mark Twain history around here, including an historic district in Hannibal that we're not likely to get to, steamboat rides and all.
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| The main cave entrance |
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| Apparently Jesse James used these caves as a hideout at times |
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| Comparison shots: this one regular camera setting, no flash |
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| This one using Night Sight setting, still no flash. Lots more detail. |
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| Discoloured ceiling spots where bats used to roost en masse |
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| Rainbow lighting to highlight minerals |
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| A reflecting pool, looks like a deep chasm |
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| Glasses hitting 28C humidity after an hour at 52F underground |
Today's short travel, the dark blue route:
Looks like a very nice place to stop for the night and the cave tour would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteContinued safe travels.
Shorter days are good!
ReplyDeleteLooks nice,,,
Cold here thus am,,, and rain,,, good u guys left!
Have a great day,,,
The shorter day would appeal to me!
ReplyDeleteNow I may need to read Tom Sawyer again!
ReplyDelete