Daytripping Clinton Missouri

Ken's Pix

Stevo's Pix

We chose Clinton, Missouri as our next daytrip destination.  Actually, we had intended to go here two weeks ago, but other things got in the way.  Ken and I left later than we wanted to, but with temperatures hovering around 105, we wouldn't have been able to do much in the hot sun anyway.  We passed through Belton after several wrong turns on our way south and east of the metro.

Livestream through Belton
Belton Part 2

Approaching Clinton Missouri always brings to mind a terrible tragedy that happened downtown here several years ago.

Coming into Clinton

I mention several times having come here and working here...



Clinton Missouri has the largest town square in the state of Missouri.

Ken and I "wound the clock" several times before tiring out from the heat...



When we finally did tire out after not much time in the heat and humidity, we checked into 1/2 Pints Frozen Custard for a cone and some much needed water.  Poor Tima was stressing as well in this heat.  It is not easy being a little black dog close to the ground in the high temps.  Her ears were pointing straight back like the way a horses ears would do when the horse is pissed.  Though Tima could not come into the a/c, she did get a cup of frozen custard and a nice cup of water.

Across the street from 1/2 Pints, is the KATY depot.  The Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad cut through Clinton, and parts of it are still here.  The Katy trailhead starts here where the railroad ends.  We wondered if trains still operate here.  The Missouri and Northern Arkansas is a successor line.  The railway ends here in Clinton, and the trail begins here.

Downtown DeSoto

Ken and I mused that many people probably have never heard of a DeSoto.
We found this time capsule here, and wondered about it's existence.  Well, a video by the owner explains everyting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNmQspSW5rE

We walked around a bit after being refreshed in the custard place.  We stopped in at Ben Franklins Coffee, where I got an iced mocha, and Ken got a coke.


Looking for the Leaky Roof

The Katy was not the only railroad in town.  In 1995, while working on a story for the tv station I worked for in college, I came upon an interlocking tower in a back yard.  A man there explained to me that it controlled the crossing of the "Leaky Roof" railroad, otherwise known as the Kansas City Clinton and Springfield Railfroad.  We were unsuccessful in finding the tower.

We did find a great animated sign...

 Found an animated sign


We left Clinton heading north on 13 Highway towards Warrensburg.  We stopped by Safari Motel to get some snapshots of the googie there.
Departing Clinton

Driving through Warrensburg at night

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