Dale & Debbie Part 61 - RV Adventure through the Midwest

From historic barns and grand hotels to towering trees and endless prairies, we’re exploring the heart of the Midwest one stop at a time.

Our latest travels felt a little like stepping into Little House on the Prairie—only with our own “Little RV on the Prairie.” From cozy evenings at our friend’s farm in Indiana to exploring pioneer villages, historic courthouses, and wide-open prairies, we found ourselves surrounded by stories of resilience, history, and timeless beauty. Each stop, whether under the branches of a 400-year-old oak or inside the grand atriums of century-old hotels, reminded us that the spirit of adventure is alive and well on the American prairie.

Our next stop was in Indiana at Beckner’s Barn Hideaway. We love having our special spot on our friend’s farm! And we always enjoy our time spent together!

We visited Spring Mill State Park where there is a Pioneer Village.

It’s always interesting to see remedies apothecaries sold.

Monroe County Courthouse, Bloomington, IN

I enjoy taking pictures of stately buildings we come upon during our travels.

We toured the West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden Springs, IN. The first one opened in 1862. It was destroyed by fire twice over the years and this one opened in 1902. By the late 1800’s people arrived from around the country on seven separate railroads for the curative powers of the mineral water. Later, the cosmopolitan resort included an opera house, a casino, bowling alley, lighted field for several major league baseball teams to hold spring training and more.

The lobby is pictured above and the atrium below.

Just 1 mile down the road is the French Lick Springs Hotel. We toured this one also. It was originally built in 1845.  Both hotels have experienced many ownership and physical changes over the years and are rich in history. They have always been extremely competitive until 2003, at which time the same company purchased both.

Our next stop was Columbia, MO. From a distance, this may look like an ordinary tree, but it’s not. Known as The Big Bur Oak, it’s almost 400 years old with a trunk 7.5’ in diameter! This extraordinary tree survived many droughts, floods, and lightning strikes. During The Great Flood of 1993, water stood 6.5 deep around its trunk for weeks!  

Think of all the events that have taken place under the big tree’s branches. I read about fights, robberies, killings, marriage proposals, weddings, conceptions, reunions, funerals, the spreading of human and pet ashes, and more!  Use your imagination ~ more than likely, it happened here!

The Big Bur Oak is tied with a tree in KY for the National Champion, representing the largest tree of its species in the United States.

We rode the Katy Rail Trail along the Missouri River.

Boathenge mysteriously appeared overnight after the Great Flood of 1993.

We visited Jefferson City to tour our last capitol building in the lower 48.

Governor’s Mansion

Missouri River running through Jefferson City, MO

Next stop:  Paxico, KS

The campground in Paxico is right on the railroad tracks.

Geary County District Courthouse is in Junction City, KS, near Paxico.

Konza Prairie Flint Hill region includes the largest remaining areas of unplowed tallgrass prairie in North America.  Therefore, it retains much of its native characteristics. It’s managed as a field research station by the Kansas State University Biology Division.

As we were hiking, I almost expected to see Laura Ingalls running down a hill!

Until next time,
Debbie and Dale