Joplin

Let’s just face the facts. We like chocolate! There, it has been said, and there is no taking it back. This may be the reason why so many of our trips include a visit to a chocolate shop. We like to think it is just a service we provide for our readers who are looking for a sweet treat option when touring a destination. At least that is our way of convincing ourselves we are just doing public service work. Whatever the reason, we have had tremendous fortune in digging up some wonderful chocolatiers during our travels. In Joplin, Missouri our [...]

At one time or another most of us have stopped into one of those little roadside burger joints for a cheap meal. Usually, they have a name like Dairy-Inn or Pop's Burger Stand. You can almost be guaranteed that the menu will consist of greasy burgers and fries, and not much more. In Joplin, we happened upon a place that screamed of this type of establishment, but we had been promised it would be different. The Eagle Drive-In even has a name that would perfectly fit this old-school dive, but we were about to be blown away. Diamond in the Rough Upon arriving [...]

Many people are unaware of the integral role that mining played in the settlement and growth of communities in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. The discovery of lead in the mid-1800's drew miners to the area. Our visit to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum allowed us a chance to learn more about the history of mining in the region. We want to thank the Joplin Museum Complex for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. Early Fascination During my childhood, my grandparents moved to the small town of West Mineral, Kansas, which lies in the Southeast corner of Kansas. My [...]

Joplin, Missouri has an interesting Route 66 history. The city actually has multiple paths, since the route was realigned a couple of times. While we were making our itinerary for a visit to Joplin, we worked with Carrie Puffinbarger at Visit Joplin. She pointed us toward testing the eats at The Bruncheonette, a local hotspot that rests on the 1937 to 1945 alignment. What we found there confirmed our belief of  listening to the locals. […]