This is our fourth consecutive really big road trip west of Chicago and each of the others began the exact same way. We always make two completely predictable stops, one at the World’s Largest Truck Stop in Iowa and one at Herbert Hoover’s birthplace. They are both eventful enough ways to fill the first day of long driving. Well, we shook things up this year! Since we took a southwestern route we missed any notable gas station. As disappointing as that is, we couldn’t miss out on learning about the childhood of some obscure-ish president. (Seriously, name 10 presidents…I bet Harry Truman isn’t one that came to your mind.)
Unfortunately, the tickets to all the tours of his home were sold out for the day. I was slapped with the irony of it as I noted that we intentionally never make the time to go on the guided tour at Hoover’s home. The disappointment was great and the 12 minute documentary about his life didn’t make up for actually seeing the inside of his house. Although this was the first big snafu of the trip, we all handled it gracefully and made the most of the time we had in the visitor’s center. In the words of the ranger, we were “allowed to stand at the gate and look in at the property.” That was cool.
As we wandered through Truman’s hometown of Independence we located an old fashioned soda fountain, the location of his first job. We sipped from bottles of locally made dark cherry soda and enjoyed the air conditioning.
After a very brief visit to Truman’s Presidential Library and a quick walk around the City Market, we made our way to Joe’s BBQ. We stopped here a couple of years ago, much to my dismay. I have a general rule of not eating at gas station restaurants and in 2016 Zak was telling me about this world renowned BBQ spot. I immediately Googled it and crossed it off as soon as I saw it was in a gas station. Then I decided to read some more reviews and got the conflicting message that the gas station part of the business might be closed. I wavered a bit and decided we could drive by it to see if it was up to my standard of not being in a gas station. It wasn’t. But the line wrapped around the entire building and wove through the pumps. I figured all those people must know what is up. They did. It was the best BBQ I have ever had and a meal Ellie talks about on a regular basis. Well, if possible, they have only improved throughout the past two years. We nearly needed to roll Ellie out and all agreed this might be a contender for best meal of the trip. Interesting and timely, Joe’s was one of Anthony Bourdain’s top 13 places you need to eat before you die. (It was renamed Joe’s from Oklahoma Joe’s in 2014.)
All in all, it was a good day and not all that shabby for a day that involved so much driving! We agreed that we hope this isn’t the best day of the trip, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it is.
