I'll add the confluence area of the rivers and the Audubon Ctr to my ongoing MO attractions list, that I've maintained for years (for friends coming to MO, STLMO, etc.).
One of the distinct pleasures I've had in living in the state of MO is that I've lived all over the state, had family in most parts of the state (KC, Indep., Joplin, Lake of the Ozarks/Lebanon, Houston MO, Buffalo, MO, Camdem County, STLMO, Maryland Heights).
And most importantly, had the most absolutely neatest neighbors and friends one could have, among some who lived in a School Bus, had a hot tub made of large tractor tires (neat, and located in a homemade greenhouse), artist friends who sold pottery and other neat objects of art in all of these places, and folks who lived in the caves bordering MO and Arkansas. Talk about neat!
And in every place, the people are as friendly and helpful as one can imagine. You literally could ask for their shirts off their backs, and they would, w/o question give it to you. Unfortunately, you don't run into these 'down home' kinds of people at the 'common' tourist traps in MO (or IMHO, thank God you don't). There's a whole another side of MO other than racing down the lakes in a high-powered speedboat, etc. Slow down, for heavens' sake, and enjoy the companionship.
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