Southwest Missouri pit stop: Fantastic Caverns

Southwest Missouri is filled with old-fashioned pit stops and slices of Americana. Case in point: Fantastic Caverns, 'America's only ride-through cave'. Fantastic Caverns is one of those natural wonders that probably should be protected by the US government, but is instead a privately-owned tourist attraction, making you worry a little bit. But go anyway (despite, or maybe because of, the … [Read more...]

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Southwest Missouri hosts a great deal of rich history, including more Civil War history than we realized. While visiting in the Springfield or Branson area, plan to spend at least half a day, if not more, at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. In case you need to brush up on your Civil War history (as I always do), Wilson's Creek was the site of the second major battle of the war fought … [Read more...]

Splash! Lively Park Swim Center

6100 Thurston Road Springfield, OR We've driven up and down I-5 through the state of Oregon dozens of times, but until a neighborhood family told us about it, we had no idea Splash! Lively Park Swim Center existed! A wonderful pitstop when you have two or more hours to spend, Splash is much more than a community pool; it's an indoor waterpark complete with a 144 foot slide, wave pool, water … [Read more...]