The Great River Road 2026
  
 

Day 06

May 31

  
     
     
   
  I get SweetTreat ready to roll for another day of exploration. Then I go back in to see what this motel offers for breakfast.  
   
  Much to my pleasant surprise, they have real pig meat, hen fruit and even gravy and biscuits. I avail myself of the vittles and am a happy camper that I'll not have to search for a real breakfast on the road.  
   
  With that taken care of, I get back on the trail of the Great River Road. I find that Missouri is not near as diligent in marking the route as Minnesota and Iowa do.  
   
  I pass by the Mark Twain boyhood home and museum in Hannibal but they are unfortunately closed at this early hour. Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, from 1839 to 1853, which inspired his classic novels. This site includes seven historic properties, Norman Rockwell paintings, and his father's law office.  
   
  The original downtown historic Hannibal has been well preserved and is dead quiet this morning.  
   
  As I continue my ride southward out of Hannibal I get a glimpse of the river.  
   
  But I will find that it soon disappears and I will not see very much of it throughout the rest of the day.  
   
  I pass by another country church surrounded by a large cemetery that reminds me just how short our time on this earth really is compare to eternity.  
   
  I know I am headed there but I don't think I have gotten that far south yet ...  
   
  There are some very beautiful old homes ...  
   
  scattered through out the city.  
   
  And there is a unique library building as I make my way out of the town.  
   
  When I come up behind this I do think - 'Wonder if I could I make it under there or not?'  
   
  I decide after my Twin Cities experience that I will just slab it quickly around St. Louis and try to pick up the trail on the south side.  
   
  Fortunately it does not take me long before I spot the sign that I am looking for.  
   
  Having started out my life in the country, I much prefer it to the city. I pass by another little country church that services its community.  
   
  And the farms along in here are pretty impressive. This is mighty fine spread looking at it from this direction - and probably any direction.  
   
  I've about given up on seeing the river today, then it peaks out from behind the trees for just a little bit.  
   
  I pass another fine looking church building with an impressive bell tower attached to it. I wonder if they have chimes and play them on Sunday mornings.  
   
  As I planned this stop in Sikeston, I am passing right by Lambert's Cafe. I have no control over SweetTreat as she automatically takes us into the parking lot of this fine establishment.  
   
  This place is one of the neatest cafes around and I go here whenever I am anywhere nearby. They have an old Ford truck to greet you and a lovely lady who is playing ragtime music on an old upright piano.  
   
  And if you go away hungry from here it is your own fault. Not only do you get a main course, they bring around additional sides like fried okra just to make sure you don't starve. And as soon as the fresh rolls come out, they toss you one if you give them a signal. Their rolls are so big they could almost double as the pillow you need after you clean your plate ...  
   
  which I do as my momma taught me.  
   
  After I up the preload on SweetTreat to handle the extra weight, it is a short hop down to the Super 8 for the evening.  
   
  I get her put away for the day and make myself comfortable in my room.  
   
  Given the plenteous amount of vittles I just vacuumed up, it does not take me very long to find the land of sweet dreams.