Springfield, MO June 7-9, 2017

After Jackson, TN we drove to Springfield, MO.   I must say that Missouri is very lacking in rest stops along the way!    I guess they put their money into the roads, as they tended to be very good.   We ended up stopping and eating lunch in the parking lot of a small settlement in the Ozarks.  

We really liked the KOA campground in Springfield.   It was our return trip.   We came to see a rail museum, but wouldn't  you know it was only open on Saturdays from 2-4 and we were leaving that day.   We drove to the site and looked at the engine through the chain link fence.  It appears that the Frisco engine was in really remarkable shape.   The display contained the engine, tender, baggage car and a coach.  

Another site we visited was the Pythian Castle.   In the mid 1800's the Pythians were started to tend to the widows and orphans resulting from the Civil War.   It was a fraternal organization which remained active until the 1950's.   The building at one point housed retired people in one wing and the orphans in the opposite wing.   During the war the building was used by the US Army.   After the war the building was in disrepair and finally a lady who renovates historic buildings bought the castle and now offers tours and has Halloween haunted house activities in October, events during the  holidays and is open for tours. 

While we were in Springfield we also drove to Carthage to see the Precious Moments Chapel built by Precious Moments Artist Sam Butcher.   He built this chapel in thanksgiving for all the blessings he received from God.   At one time the area was a bustling tourist stop, but since 2009 has had a downturn in visitors.   It's a beautiful site, and for anyone heading down I-45 it would really be a wonderful place to stop.   We really enjoyed our visit there.