Back to Missouri and some of the points of greatest interest to us, or at least one of "us." We left early, realizing that we had a long day ahead of us.
But I must explain something here first. It concerns the ruins below. When I saw the name I instantly thought they were Indian ruins and the interest piqued to a high pitch! But, as can be seen below, the case was not quite as first imagined. But never mind. I love ruins anywhere... There is this strange affinity I feel towards ruins. I cannot explain it. I have contemplated in the shadows of many, but to find these almost on our planned route today was simply providential.
Payne Knight rhapsodized:
“Bless'd ... is he who, midst his tufted trees,
Some ruin'd castle's lofty towers sees,
Imbosom'd high upon the mountain's brow,
Or nodding o'er the stream that glides below.”
Ha Ha Tonka Ruins
The Ha Ha Tonka castle was started by Robert McClure Snyder (Senior) in 1905. He was a Kansas City businessman who purchased the area which was known by Native Americans in the area as "ha ha tonka" which supposedly means "laughing waters," alluding to the springs below the castle. Unfortunately, he was killed in an auto accident in 1906 and the castle was completed by his sons Robert Jr., LeRoy, and Kenneth in the late 1920s. It was used as a hotel until it was destroyed by fire in 1942. The State of Missouri purchased the castle and grounds in 1978, and opened it to the public as a State Park. The water tower and castle have been partially restored since then.
Then followed a long drive towards the next destination. Luckily we spotted some interesting points along the way, such as this sign:
And there was the time I discovered something nostalgic in an old roadside store (in the loo):
So it appears that one can still get one's weight and fortune and ride a horse and buggy to the market... like these:
The next fun thing was crossing the Missouri River.
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri.
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
Adam-ondi-Ahman, a quiet, beautiful valley located in northwestern Missouri, is an important location for the latter-day-saints. It was there that a settlement of between 500 and 1,000 latter-day saints was established in 1838. However, it was abandoned when they were expelled from Missouri. We believe that this spot will serve an important function in the future events of the world before Christ’s Second Coming. This location is called Spring Hill, as directed by the Almighty Himself.
Liberty Jail
Liberty Jail (Liberty, MO), is where the Prophet Joseph Smith spent approximately five months awaiting trial for assumed crimes. While there he received three revelations that are included in the Doctrine and Covenants today. Picture below shows the restored set-up with the modern visitors center and an artist's rendition of the original structure.
(Painting by Garth Robinson Oborn)
Photo: http://www.willhiteweb.com
Independence
Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, formerly known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS,1872 to 2001) at which point the name was changed to Community of Christ.
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