Destination Irvine: Day 2 Back on Track

We spent our first night in a quaint budget chain hotel, just south of St. Louis. We woke up early the next morning eager to finally begin enjoying our trip. We decided to start sight-seeing by going to the Mermac Caverns (just to the south of our hotel, about 30 minutes outside of St. Louis).
Mermac Caverns is a massive cave complex that has a storied history. It was once the location of explosives factory for the north that was destroyed by the Confederate army commando unit that included Jesse James. Legend has it that Jessie later escaped from a Bank robbery in those caves. Today, in addition to tours, the front areas of the caves are used for some town meetings and parties (there is a large disco ball in a large round chamber!).
As you can see from the picture, the stalactites and stalagmite are pretty impressive. In true American fashion, they end the tour with the playing of god bless America with the American Flag projected on a massive formation. On the way out, we had to stop and take the wonderful picture of us in the warped mirror. Aren't we a cute couple?


After departing Mermac, we soon left the interstate to enjoy old route 66 through Missouri, into Kansas, and then into Oklahoma. There are a few interesting buildings, but there is a desolation theme through most of the small towns.
Once in Oklahoma, the interesting sites were few and far between, so we hopped back on the interstate stopping for the night on the western edge of Oklahoma City. The motel sucked, but I had a steak dinner that made up for it.