This was just a travel day, to get use from Louisville to Bentonville Arkansas, so we had flexibility on how and where we’d add some interest to the long drive. Here’s what we did not do:
- We drove on by the Lynnville exit,
- did not seek out the Creationist Museum (“Prepare to believe”, Petersburg, Kentucky),
- merely giggled in passing like 12-year olds at the Uranus Fudge Factory (Uranus, MO),
- will have to come back to probe the mystery of the Schwarz Family Amish-style restaurant.
What we did do … we stopped at another cavern so I could have another cave adventure. This was Marengo Caverns in Indiana. Many beautiful rooms and great formations, but what was distinctive was the several large shallow pools, perfectly still reflecting surfaces creating illusions of deep holes.
Next was a side trip to Santa Claus Indiana, home of the Holiday World theme park and a giant Santa Claus Christmas store where I scored a few additions to our holiday decorations. Come to the holiday party to find out what they are!
Our last diversion was into St. Louis proper to get a closer look at the Gateway Arch. Apparently we missed quite the lightning show above the arch by just a few hours, though we caught the edge of a severe storm warning with hail the size of golf balls as we headed south. Fortunately for us it meant mostly wind and a couple of surprising blasts of intense rain.
So we arrived at the Best Western Castlerock Inn and Suites. Best Western loses big again on handicapped parking. Only 2-3 spaces by the lobby seems to be their thing, but what is that extra space where another handicapped spot could be?
Of course, it’s
I like the exclamation point. What I found particularly, umm, vexing is that it had to be the spot right next to the lobby!
Parking aside, a good room. Two beds instead of one takes away some maneuvering room so I opt for a single bed when I can, but here the suite-sized room helped a lot. The bathroom was one of the best — excellent shower/sink/toilet — and Best Western does provide quality amenities and plush towels.
