We're in Missouri!

After five days in Springfield, we're moving two hours west for our next destination. On the way, we crossed over the wide Mississippi River.

At six feet above flood stage, the Mississippi is even wider than usual. These trees do not like to have their feet wet, but the river is over its banks.

We could also see that the water was almost up to the railroad bridge that normally sits high above the river.

The Mississippi River is the dividing point between Illinois and Missouri, so after crossing that swollen river we were welcomed into a new state.

The little city just across the state line is Hannibal, Missouri. Dubbed as "America's Hometown," its river-side park is under water. We also see that the railroad crossing is under water, so we're guessing that there won't be any trains going across that Mississippi River bridge any time soon.

That extra water would be spilling into the streets of Hannibal if it weren't for them installing these temporary flood gates.

Mark had to climb on top of that wall and speculate how they get those heavy steel plates placed into that cement opening before the river gets too high. Normally this is a street where cars drive to the river side park.

We're heading about twenty miles further into Missouri to our camping spot at Mark Twain Landing. This is another half-price Passport America campground that we use in our travels across the country. It's a beautiful blue-sky day as we check out our new campground.

We're just a few miles from the dam that forms the Mark Twain Lake. The trees around the lake are showing some good fall color.

We're taking advantage of the nice weather to take a hike at the lake. Have we mentioned how pretty the leaves and the blue sky are today?

We aren't alone on this walk. Besides the usual squirrels and birds, this deer stood perfectly still and watched as we took a walk through her woods.

After we saw the deer, this butterfly lit on Mark's cap and decided to just hitch-hike for a while.

Seeing the detail of that little butterfly reminds us that we are wandering His wonders again today. The wildlife on this trail certainly were friendly!

This time of year Denisa enjoys picking up pretty leaves on a hike through the forest. Just like we take pictures of the sea shells we collect on the beach, we had to take a picture of some of the red and yellow leaves today. Then we are content to leave them, because we just don't have room for these treasures in the motor home.

Have we mentioned how blessed we feel as we wander God's wonders? I think we're going to like it here in Missouri!