Journal of trip to Missouri, days 3 and 4

I was up early this morning, having rested very well on Sunday.  Sunday afternoon I went to the Licking Cemetery but didn’t find George’s marker.  Storm clouds were rolling in and I returned to the Scenic Rivers Inn to read, rest, and wait for Monday.    Here’s where I sat watching the clouds for any tornado that might be coming my way.

The national weather service had issued a warning for the Rolla area and we were only 30 minutes away.  When the rain was blowing in too much, I returned to my room to read more.  About 6 or so, I looked up to see the left leg of a rainbow in the sky.  Three photos taken and it doesn’t show up in any of them.  So much for a pocket digital camera -my Pentax K1000 would have captured it. 

I looked again at Find-A-Grave where Linda Mondy has posted a photo of the marker.  Her photo has been chalked, so I knew it would be difficult to read, but the shape was uncommon so I should be able to easily find it.  There are 3900?  3600? postings in Licking Cemetery. 

Monday morning I went back as soon as it was daylight. 

 

I hadn’t noticed Sunday afternoon that the roads are laid out about 20 feet apart and that I could easily drive up and down looking only 10 feet or so from my car window.  What a wonderful plan that was!  That was in the “newer” part of the cemetery.  I did see this lovely angel perched high on a pillar keeping watch over the loved ones below. 

The older part, where I suspected I would find a gravestone from 1872 to 1886, was wider - more open - with  a road circling, but not cutting through the middle.  Nevertheless, I did easily recognize the shape of the marker and stopped the car.  Sure enough, it was the marker for George.

I’ve taken these photos of the marker and cemetery, but for reading the text of the marker, see Linda’s photo here.

I’m very fortunate that the pathway from Texas County to Macon County is through the heart of Missouri.  The drive is beautiful; wooded, farms new and old, fields with recently cut bales of hay, huge pastures of sheep - sheep! - for a minute I thought I was in Wales - cattle, horses, tractors.  A bucolic countryside, green and clean.  What a wonderful way to start the day.

I’ve stayed at Rolla many times over the years, but it occurs to me that I’ve never driven through Rolla.  The hotels were always on the highway - Interstate 44 - and Rolla is south of that.  So, I’ve finally driven through the town and will come back some day for another look. 

On to Jefferson City, Columbia, and Macon County.