"Winds in the east, there's
a mist comin' in
Like somethin' is brewin' and 'bout to begin.
Can't put me finger on what lies in store,
But I feel what's to happen all happened before.”
Like somethin' is brewin' and 'bout to begin.
Can't put me finger on what lies in store,
But I feel what's to happen all happened before.”
-Richard and Robert Sherman
 |
| Conway Welcome Center |
As
the cold winds of winter blow warmer each day, a spark is rekindled in the
hearts of many Missourians. That spark is the inspiration for adventure, family
fun and the open road.
Like many of my fellow Missourians I remember piling in the family
car and taking off for great American destinations every summer. As my brother
and I piled into the back seat of the car with our minds racing about what “I
spy” item would really stump the other during the drive, I would always have
that feeling that something exciting was about to begin.
While a detour was usually made to visit grandparents or a
nearby cave there was always one stop that we made before leaving the state and
one stop before returning home. It was a constant that we would stop at a
Missouri rest area. It allowed space to stretch our legs, get a drink, use the
restroom and convince my dad to completely unpack the trunk to find the GameBoy
that I had packed in my suitcase.
As a kid these stops were markers for the vacation in my
mind. Going on a drive was common, but when we stopped at a rest area it was
the launching pad for a vacation adventure! We were headed somewhere new, fun
and exciting. On the way home the same rest areas were a welcome sight as they
told me we were close to home.
With 15 rest areas and eight welcome centers on Missouri Interstates
it is easy to find a good break point regardless of if you are launching into a
family vacation, returning home from a long trip, or just need a place to pull
off the road for a minute. An estimated
16.5 million visitors will stop at a Missouri rest area this year to enjoy
their amenities and a much needed moment to stretch and walk around.
Take
time to get to know the Missouri rest area’s and welcome centers at, http://www.modot.org/services/travel/restarea/.
Catch that spark this summer and let the Missouri roads lead you on an
adventure!
