Imagine recreating the arduous journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they traveled over rugged mountain passes, rushing rivers, dense forests, and undulating plains. Commandeering over 40 soldiers, hunters, and boatmen these two explorers could be called the grandpappy's of modern day RVers' (without of course wheels and the conveniences of roads)! St. Louis, Missouri is where it all started, the great Lewis and Clark expedition and that's where you will want to stop in and stay awhile!

The local RV Park, St. Louis RV, doesn't boast about being the prettiest in town, however, Frommer's rates the park at being the most secure and cleanest (“best urban with a very nice pool ) in the State.  The RV park has 100 fully equipped spaces and is centrally located to all of St. Louis' attractions. Another unique RV park is Yogi Bear Jellystone Resort at Six Flags. With only 35 scenic acres, this Park has mega thrills to offer. Visitors staying here receive free Six Flag tickets with a minimum required stay. Visitors have been known to find themselves in the middle of a game of arcades, miniature golf or receive a visit from Yogi Bear himself. Farther away is the beautiful upscale resort of Sundermeier RV Park and Conference Center located in St. Charles, MoIssouri.  This beautiful resort has approximately 400 sites able to accommodate the big rigs with full hook-ups. Sundermeier is the park choice for rallies. Each park address and phone number can be found by going to the website www.explorestlouis.com under accommodations.

Lewis and Clark had their pack animals to help carry them along each day on their excursions. You'll need your trusty tow vehicle or a rental car to get out and about for the unbelievable day tours.  Local attractions include casinos on the river for the adult kid! Numerous walking tours which are breathtakingly scenic will take you through lush forest trails, conservation areas where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers converge, fish hatcheries, biking trails, picnic areas where kids have plenty of room to run and play! Look up and you might catch a glimpse of Bald Eagles as they leave out for spring. Missouri happens to be a favorite winter time place for the American Bald Eagle and this past winter over 2,000 were reported seen in the area.  Other areas to interest you and the family locally are golf, golf, golf and did I mention golf?   For the energetic kid you carry along St. Louis has a very interesting ESPN-X-Games Skate Park.  This facility offers every mother's nightmare and every kid's dream - all the curves, twists, gaps, hips, rails, quarterpipes, halfpipes and stunt bike surfaces along with professional lessons if desired.   For the man who likes to boat and fish, the Columbia Bottom Conservation where the rivers converge may be exactly what you are looking for, fishing at its best.   Forest Park, one of the central icons of St. Louis, can offer a family of two, three, or more a variety of entertainment from tennis, golf, fishing, to biking and hiking, and scenic trails, as well as a stroll through the zoo.

Your rental car comes in best use when traveling out to see the Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos (see photo).  Take I-44 to Eureka exit, turn South onto Highway W, and drive to Highway FF, then turn right onto FF and drive to Highway F. Turn left onto F, and drive to St. Joseph's Rd and turn right. The entrance to the Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos will be on your left. For more information about the history of this unusual shrine go to www.franciscancaring.org .

Thirsty? Why not stop in at Stone Hill Winery and sample some exquisite wines made in the USA. Stone Hill has a reputation for being a Gold Medal winning wine during pre-prohibition days. After prohibition a family, Jim and Betty Held along with their four children, bought the old broken down winery, used as an underground mushroom farm, and in the mid 1960's began restoration. Since then, the kids have grown up and three of them received college degrees in viticulture to enable the ongoing work of their parents, making fine wines. From 1983, Stone Hill has received numerous medals and awards for the delicate flavors of wines.   The Held's mission: to reclaim Missouri's status as one of the best wine regions in the United States.   While at Stone Hill don't forget to stop in at the restaurant with its German cuisine (see photo).

At St. Charles, the first capitol of the state and a French town by history, you'll find over 100 shops, restaurants, cafes, and a historic district with approximately 58 buildings of French and German architectural design. St. Charles will be hosting a Bicentennial Signature event in May 2004 to celebrate the Lewis and Clark expedition.

There is so much to see and do around the area of St. Louis, Missouri. Don't miss touring the Bonne Terre Mine where divers come from around the world to dive year around (see photo). Plan to come and stay for a month or two and bring some friends. These trips are the kind where it's fun to go in two's, three's and more! Lewis and Clark showed us just how to start the journey.

Happy Traveling!

If you have questions contact me at:

Rhonda@photoandtravel.com