Day 3: Memphis/St. Louis

We left New Orleans and headed up to Memphis a little early to start fresh.  We had beautiful weather on the drive up.  We left the rain in Louisiana, and headed through Mississippi (state 3).  We stopped at an awesome park near Jackson, MS for dinner.

The kids got out of the car, ate, played, and ran.  It was a lovely break!  Back in the car to T. O. Fuller State Park where we camped for the night. 

 In the morning, poptarts were the prize for waking up at 5:00! 

 The old two slept for almost another hour 

while the little girls and I enjoyed some time together looking at the scenery.  

#nofilter

We had shower (YAY!!!!!)  and did a load of laundry (YAY!!!!!!) and headed into Memphis to explore Mud Island!

Unfortunately, Mud Island is closed on Monday.  Epic Mom Fail.

Do you know what else there is to do in Memphis for kids?  Fortunately, a bunch!  We hit up Graceland,

The Peabody Hotel for the Duck March,

The Civil Rights Museum

,

 And of course ate some FABULOUS BBQ!!!!!!!!! 

We finished up around 1pm and headed North to an unplanned stop,

ST. LOUIS, MO!!!!!!!!  Through Tennessee, Arkansas (Are Kansas to Boy JC), and into Missouri, we jetted to the first logical touristy place we could think of...GATEWAY ARCH.

We surrendered the pepper spray (I still need to buy more) to be admitted to the State Park under the arch.  There, we purchased tickets to the top.  I really wasn't sure how the baby camper would do.  I shouldn't have worried.  She faced the height with all the gumption I would expect of one of my kids.  

The view from the top was spectacular.  It was so worth the trade for time in NOLA.

630 Feet in the air with 4 kids.  Amazing.  

We found a camp site which reminded the Oldest JC and I of a scene from Criminal Minds.  Lacking in pepper spray, we opted for a Target parking lot in Shiloh, IL...just across the Muddy Mississippi from St. Louis.  We had alternative reasons for camping there.  Cool nights, good sleeps, and Day 3/ State 7 in the books.