A few miles later I merged onto the Interstate I-72 to cross the Mississippi River into Missouri. This is one of the rare places bicycles are allowed on an Interstate. The route is called the MRT, or Mississippi River Bicycle Trail.
I exited I-72 into Hannibal and stopped by the Mark Twain Museum. I ended up doing the whole touristy thing in Hannibal, visiting Mark Twain's boyhood home, his Father's office, two
Mark Twain museums and one Hannibal museum.
I ate pizza dinner at the Brick Oven in downtown Hannibal. I am going to try camping out tonight, staying at the Mark Twain Caves Campground. On the way there I saw a sign for "Lover's Leap". I turned off and ended up doing the most God-Awful climb ever. I was in granny gear, standing on the pedals, just hoping I wouldn't fall over. But at the top I was rewarded with spectacular views of the river and the town.
The Mark Twain Caves Campground is nice. It is cooled off a bit, but probably still 80. I got the tent set up and talked with a couple from Ohio on their way home from vacation. Today was my shortest day for the whole trip - only 28 miles. But it was fun learning all about Samuel Clemons, aka Mark Twain.
