Day 4 - Mopping Up

Edwardsville is located close to the Mississippi river and hat was where we found the Chain Of Rocks bridge. A week ago the approach road was under flood waters and all we could do was look at it from a distance.

This time we got there, saw the remains of the devastation from the high water levels and looked on to St Louis where we were headed.

The unique Pony Truss bridge spanning the Mississippi is bent in the middle, right where the states of Illinois and Missouri meet. Typical of R66 there's something to celebrate it!

Retracing our steps and using a bridge we could drive over we worked our way through the outskirts in the more run down parts of town and arrived at the Arch in the CBD.

Everyone was suitably impressed and most made it to the top to see the view. Below the water's had receded but the clean-up was still in progress with boat tours still a week or so away from the looks of the access ramps.

It was Chuck Berry's old haunt for lunch. Blueberry Hill Cafe and they even opened the Elvis room downstairs.

We discover this basement room booked for parties and other entertainment was also underwater just a few days ago.

Outside the long and short of it became evident when Rex met James and his big 'truck'! It was voted 'shot of the day' even though some thought we'd dealt to it with photoshop! (He really does only come up to the tray!)

The country driving through Missouri was much better this trip, with the i44 now open, we ran alongside on the mother road without the rain to blur our vision.

The Flea Market was a great example of the water levels... our photo her last week had this place under water... today the electricians were replacing the wiring for the second time in less than two years in a 'one in a five hundred year food'!

The Indian Trading Post had the most authentic souvenirs we've seen along the road, and all housed in a tee-pee that's been there for 20 years!

Meramec Caverns should have been open but the access road running alongside the Meramec river had been under by 37ft, with evidence left hanging high in the trees.

We had our malt shakes outside at Circle Malt, given the smoking inside but discovered the history from third generation owner Josh.

Ironically at the end of the month he's making it non smoking so that will be something to look forward to! Wagon Wheel was home for the night .. only a couple of minutes down the road.