With full day here , we got up late and were able to take full advantage to plan a visit to historic St Charles , Missouri.This was the first settlement on the Missouri River in the 1760's, and many famous settlers left their mark here. Danielle Boone and Lewis and Clark being among them. It became a stopping point for three out of every four pioneers , as they loaded their wagons and headed out west.
A lady on our dock had suggested last night that her daughter was driving back to St Charles today and she would be very happy to drop us off in St Charles. Then we could find a taxi to bring us back.
It was such a kind offer which we gladly took up and Terri came along with us.Jim was happy to sit by the pool and relax.
We were in the cobbled Main Street by 10.40 am and as it was a little early for the shops to open, We stopped and had a coffee and then the town a some alive just before Noon .
We took lots of photos , read the description of the houses and went to look inside some of the boutique shops. We all made some purchases. We even found an English store and bought packets of twiglets and other things imported from the UK at exorbitant prices. Time for lunch and the English store owener suggested the Trailand Brewing Co restaurant.
We sampled the local Trail Blazers blonde ale and had good old fish and chips which were great.
Erica had wanted to see the Lewis and Clark boat house and museum, so that was next on our list.
A $5 entry fee and we got a wonderful display of memorabilia and exhibits , plus a video of the journey which started in St Charles ( officially started in Washington DC) and went over to the Pacific Ocean on the west coast .Thomas Jefferson had the original vision and was able to persuade Capt. Meriwether Lewis to lead the expedition once they got congress approval.Lewis invited his good friend William Clark to come along as co leader. It's a very interesting story and they did make the journey back again a few years later to St Charles. The locals had given them up for dead and gave them a wonderful welcome back when they returned to the town. In the video they talked about Lewis and Clark reaching a dead end at one point , and it was only with the use of horses given to them by an American Indian tribe, they were able to complete the trip to the west coast.
Good old horses they could go , where man on his own could not!
Back to Alton via a local taxi.The driver knew all about NZ ,saying he was interested in history and geography .Quite a character.
Later Terri and Erica took up another kind offer from Cutters Ark crew who we had met earlier in Ottawa.They offered to drive to Schuncks to stock up on groceries.We will probably be anchoring out or tied up to walls for the next few days.
Cutters Ark had crossed their wake here , effectively ending their Great Loop journey. They were even interviewed by the local TV station.! Quite the big deal!
Back to the boat to prepare a light dinner and Terri and Jim came over with their books to discuss tomorrow's journey with a glass of wine.
Time then to turn in after a lovely day.
Over and Out ,
E and G
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