Thursday, October 20, 2016

October 20, 2016 Hannibal, MO

Hello everyone.  Today we got up early to see a little bit more of Hannibal and then headed for Indianapolis, a drive of about 345 miles.

We started by going to a tour of the cave where Sam Clemens and occasionally Becky Thatcher spent some time.  Tour guide Jodi, who did an excellent job, pointing out the underground tunnels compricing up of 3.5 miles.

This entrance that was blasted in 1890 by John East because of impractically of the original discovery entrance.

This is the original entrance first found in the Winter of 1819-1820.

Autograph alley where autographs were permitted until 1972 when the cave became a National Landmark.
 Scrapings enhanced with smoke.



The number of bats has diminished in the last several years however their presence is still noted.

Their is a place in the cave where tunnels cross identified as Marriage Corner.  There have been several marriages underground in the cave.

The inside of the original discovery entrance looking out.

Jesse James is said to have made an appearance in the cave after a train robbery in nearby Saverton, MO.  The picture below, Mark Twain Cave photo, shows certified proof that he was there on September 22, 1879. 

Following the cave tour on the way back into town we went to Lover's leap where we took some pics of the Mississippi.

The island toward the opposite banks of the Mississippi made popular in Mark Twain stories.

Mark Twain T-shirts are popular around town as many of the stores nearby the river area rely heavily on the appeal of Mark Twain by the tourists.

Tom took this picture and showed it to Grammie while he mimicked the voice of a much younger grandson Drew who left a message on our phone saying "Where's Grammie, is Grammie there?
 
Click the link.





Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie, where ever she is!

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