St. Louis to KOA, Joplin, MO:  We weren’t supposed to have any more severe weather for a while, but last night they started some watch boxes in Missouri all the way from Joplin to St. Louis.  Well great we thought.  But either we’re so inured to the severe weather threat or just crazy, but we decided to head out anyway.  Besides, the route we’re taking runs pretty far south so we figured we’d be okay.  Most of the bad stuff was heading more to the north.  We left STL at 8:30 and arrived at the Joplin KOA and were set up by 3:00.  I started driving, heading around I270 and then southwest on Interstate 44 through the lush, forested hills just west of STL. We stopped in Lebanon for fuel and food and then Mike took over driving.  When we went through the Joplin area we noticed a swath of tornado damage where it went across the highway.  They had some crews working to pick up the debris, which will keep them busy for many months.  No bad weather of any kind today.  Just cloudy and windy.  Mid-90s. 

These signs are all over Rt. 44.  Meramec Caverns was one of the oldest stops on Rt. 66.

Wild flowers out in profusion.

The bluffs along Rt. 44.  One time we were driving along these bluffs and a deer was  way on top of this much higher bluff.  I didn't know if he was checking out the view or contemplating suicide.