Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chillocothe, Ohio

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Ohio is a collection of earthen mounds that form huge geometric shapes.  These structures were built nearly 2000 years ago by Native Americans.  The Hopewell Culture Park contains 6 different areas where the earthen mounds are located.   The one that is most easily accessible is located next to the visitor's center.  We visited that one and drove out to another site and were able to see another large mound there.  There used to be a lot more of these mounds but when the area was settled, many were flattened in order to farm the land.  These earthworks were often used for feasts, funerals, and rites of passage.  Even though each of these geometric structures are different, they each contain some similar elements, including a large circle, one or more smaller circles, and a square.  Since many of the mounds were used for burials, many beautiful artifacts have been discovered in the area around the mounds.  The artistic skill and the variety of materials used by these artists is amazing; many of these items are displayed in the visitor's center.

hand carved pipe

Bronze bird

Mound City

Large mound remains at Hopewell Mound

George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Vincennes, IN

George Rogers Clark National Historic Park in Vincennes, IN was erected in honor of an American colonel who, with the aid of French residents, overtook Fort Sackville and kept the British from controlling the new territory that we now call the Midwest.  The soldiers marched for days in bogs of freezing water in order to make a surprise attack on the fort and keep British reinforcements from arriving.  The memorial is beautiful on the outside and on the inside.  The inside contains 7 murals that tell the story of George Rogers Clark and there is also a statue of Clark displayed there.  The outside is impressively decorated with polished granite. The memorial was completed in 1933.  There is a river that runs near the memorial which makes for a lovely place to take a stroll.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Lincoln City, IN

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, IN, is the site where Abraham Lincoln spent most of his childhood. The family moved to Indiana when Lincoln was a young boy and lived on a farm there. The memorial includes the site where the Lincoln cabin stood, a memorial building which houses the visitor's center with some museum items, and a living history farm.

Panorama of memorial building, it is actually in a semi-circle.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, Hodgenville, KY

We took a drive into Kentucky to see Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site.  This site, our country's first memorial to President Lincoln, is a spectacular limestone memorial which houses a symbolic birthplace cabin.  It was constructed between 1909 and 1911. The memorial was dedicated by President William Howard Taft on November 9, 1911.

Harry S. Truman National Historical Site, Independence, MO

Harry S. Truman National Historical Site in Independence, Missouri offers a tour of the beautiful home where he lived all his adult life, when he was not in Washington D.C.  It also comes with an interesting story about how Harry met his wife.  He went across the street to return a cake plate and Bess, who was visiting her aunt and uncle opened the door...and the rest was history.  Truman became the 33rd president of the U.S. upon the death of current president, Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Truman was a homebody and private person.  He didn't like being gone from home all the time and he also disliked the public infringing on his privacy at home.  He was the last president to not have a college education.  Truman approved the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan which brought about the end of WWII.  Truman was elected to a full term as President in 1948.  He served as president during the beginning of the Cold War Era and during the Korean war.  He chose not to run for another term as president and in 1953 he returned home to Independence. Harry and Bess were private people who didn't like being in the public spotlight.  They were happy to sit at their little table in the kitchen and eat their dinner and then retire to a small study where they would sit and read together.  The fancy living and dining rooms were not used except for company.  The house across the street that belonged to Bess's aunt and uncle is also open for tours.  Both houses are located on a quite residential street which makes for a relaxing visit to this historical site.
(We were not allowed to take photos inside the house, so here's all I have to share.)

Noland Home, Bess's aunt and uncle

The famous cake plate

The Truman's loved relaxing on the back porch.

World's Largest Morel Mushroom

Here's a shout-out to our friends in Illinois, who first introduced us to morel mushrooms.  In Missouri we happened across the world's largest morel mushroom.  YUM!

Arthur Bryant's Barbeque in Kansas City, MO

Went for some traditional Kansas City BBQ.  Arthur Bryant's has been in business since 1946 and has roots that trace back to 1908.  It has been visited by 3 presidents and numerous celebrities and athletes.  In fact, it used to be just blocks from the where the Kansas City Chiefs played when they were in the old stadium.  We were not disappointed.  The BBQ was outstanding.  They are known for their burnt end sandwich, which was delicious and a very large amount of meat.  Also, had a sampler platter.  Everything was carved fresh as you ordered it. The sides of onion rings and fries were handmade as well.  Definitely, add this one to your bucket list.

Burnt Ends sandwich