Hannibal (thankfully not Lector)

Now Chester ~ what is Hannibal "famous" for?  Perhaps it is "Lover's Leap" - as seen above and plague below with the explanation of just what the heck this lover's leap is all about!

Well Hannibal (Missouri), where we are at the moment,  is home of ..... you got it ... Mark Twain!   We got here yesterday afternoon and did the set up stuff which we have down to a great system lately - takes about 15 minutes if we "tag team" it correctly, which we seem to have orchestrated terrifically as long as Rick does the coach leveling (for some reason I just can't master that) which means I need to be like Hertz and try harder I guess.  

So anyway, back to yesterday.  After we got set up and took Sir out for some soccer play time etc. we headed into town to see the sites because we were going to be out of here early this morning.

Above is a photo of the "Mighty Mississippi" from atop lover's leap.  It was so pretty up there in spite of the haze (it was 90 degrees out and so stinking humid).  Looking at the photo there are train tracks to the left of the river - fairly active train tracks in fact.  Left of the tracks is "downtown" Hannibal.   Such an old and historied town but we shudder to think what the town would be without its Mark Twain claim.  The people here have been so very very friendly ~ as they have been throughout the Midwest (I think I have failed to mention that along the way) - I was sure pretty quick and often to point out the contrary while we were in Utah but I have been very lax about pointing friendliness out in these parts - and these people sure deserve credit for their warmth and open arms welcome.

But I digress don't I.  Above and below are two of the monuments and landmarks around town. 

And two more below are another landmark of sorts.  Seems we can always find them if they are around ~ yes?  We just really enjoy visiting the Lodges where we visit.  As with anything else some are friendlier than others.  Hannibal Lodge was truly friendly ~ to the point that they weren't even open but were there because, strangely enough, a motorcycle group rents the place once a month and last night happened to be their meeting.  When we entered the place and heard this (the group hadn't arrived yet) the "bar tenders" welcomed us with "open arms".  We had such an enjoyable hour here - truly truly great hospitality and a credit to both the Lodge and the motorcycle club (whose name I unfortunately don't remember)!

I look at these pictures and am so darned glad that I excelled at the "Alves School of Smiling" (Bethie and Betty were great role models)!  Sorry I waited so long to attend though!

Anyway ... to our plan for today ~ There were thunder storms throughout the day so much for the best laid plans of mice and men - and Rick and Tracey.  I was able to convince Rick that it would really suck to disconnect and drive 200 miles in the pouring rain so .... I did some grocery shopping, some major cleaning and lots of laundry in the campground laundry area - it is often times easier to do a few loads there rather than in the coach and this was one of those times.

We never got to do the "trolley tour" that I had hoped to do or see Mark's "boyhood home".  We did, however, go buy copies of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and a book of "Mark Twain Wit and Wisecracks" and the "Mark Twain Museum Gift Shop"!!!.   

Another good day, in spite of torrential downpours.  Tomorrow we travel southward towards Louisiana and hopefully it won't pour for the next week as we venture in that direction ...