Pretty travel day through Missouri...

The Ozark Lake area in Missouri is just beautiful. We drove through a state park on the edge of this area; stopped at Osage Beach where I exchanged a can of green beans (for their food pantry) for a free, fresh cup of delish coffee at the local McDonald's; and drove a very skinny 2-lane bridge across the dam on Lake of the Ozarks.
In Jefferson City, the state capital, we stopped for salads, and election updates. Jim used to deliver to the Supreme Court Building there. Missouri is such a pretty state, coming from the South.
The rounded mountains, rocky bluffs, hilly downtown streets, and nice people make it very pleasant to travel through.
Luckily, we filled the car in Branson for $1.89 a gallon. Gas today has ranged from 1.93 to 2.15 a gallon. We filled the motor home with diesel at $2.70. Whatta bargain! We're lucky to be traveling while prices are lower. This summer, diesel was $4.65.
Tonight we're in America's Hometown, Hannibal, MO. We were here about 8 years ago...in our pop-up. Jake, was just a puppy. We didn't have any grand-kids then either. Heck, we were still nearly newly-weds! Mark Twain's name and image are all over the place. Even the high school bears his name. We're in the Mark Twain Cave Campground, just as we were that hot July. They were closed for the season, but let us stay tonight next to where their maintenance workers stay. The Mississippi River flows slowly by this sleepy town with old, historic buildings, dating back to the 1800's.
I think, that if we ever want to get back home, we're going to have to hit the interstates one of these days! It has been fun though, seeing the real America on these scenic byways, at a slower speed.