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The easiest, most instantly useful improvement nearly any hotel can make is to add a simple elevator sign to hallways. There’s no reason to make every guest scan both ways trying to descern if there’s an extra gap somewhere between the doors or remember which way they approached their rooms from.

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We paid homage to Aldo Leopold today, visiting his gravesite and birthplace/boyhood homes. 🏷️26.05A

A stone grave marker is engraved with the name Aldo Leopold and the years 1887 - 1948, accompanied by a small stone and a dried flower on top.A historic house surrounded by lush greenery is identified as the Leopold House by a sign in the foreground.A historic house surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with a wooden sign marking its significance.A large stone with a commemorative plaque stands in a grassy area with trees and a bridge visible in the background.

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Dave has gone missing.

A storefront named Daves Not Here displays signs for a vapor and smoke shop above and on the entrance door, with parked cars in front.
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We were a bit disappointed at the rock art we found at Thousand Hills State Park in Missouri, which were rather minor petroglyphs fully enclosed in a structure. I guess we’re just too spoiled by the Southwest… 🏷️26.05A

A fenced-off archaeological site with large stones is housed inside a wooden structure with multiple windows.Large flat stones are arranged on the ground in a rough, irregular pattern.Engraved symbols and patterns are etched into a large, flat rock surrounded by smaller stones and earth.A room with wooden walls features large stones on the floor and animal silhouette artwork displayed on the walls.

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Stopped by the birthplace of labor legend John L Lewis, though missed touring the museum, which was already closed for the day. 🏷️26.05A

A weathered green sign in Lucas, Iowa, marks the birthplace of John L. Lewis and is sponsored by the United Mine Workers of America, District No. 14, dating back to 1985.A colorful mural on a building wall depicts themes of American union labor, featuring flags, industrial scenes, and a prominent figure.A historical marker commemorates John L. Lewis, highlighting his contributions as a national labor leader and his involvement with the United Mine Workers.Wooden signs on a wall display the name John L. Lewis Mining-Labor Museum alongside some benches and light fixtures.

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Independence,Missouri is home to three National Historic Trails. We followed a chunk of the Santa Fe Trail today. 🏷️26.05A

Brown road signs indicate the Santa Fe Trail, California Trail, Oregon Trail, and National Historic Trail, set along a road with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.A commemorative plaque set in a rock marks the site of the Weston Wagon and Blacksmith Shop, a historical Oregon Trail location.An informational sign details the historical trails from Independence to Oregon, California, and Santa Fe, featuring an illustrated map with covered wagons.

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The most important stop of the day was the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, the primary target of the entire trip. It’s been an orphaned National Park unit for Jen for years, so it was good to finally get it done. We also stopped at his nearby boyhood home. 🏷️26.05A

A charming, white Victorian-style house features ornate trim and a wraparound porch surrounded by lush greenery.A large white Victorian-style house with a wraparound porch is surrounded by lush greenery and trees.A red brick visitor center building with white accents features multiple windows, a sign, and an American flag flying nearby.A two-story house is situated behind a historical marker sign, surrounded by lush green grass and trees.

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Made a quick stop at Fort Osage, one of the first U.S. outposts in the Louisiana Purchase territory. 🏷️26.05A

A historical marker provides information about Fort Osage, its exploration and construction by the Corps of Volunteers for Northwestern Discovery, led by William Clark.A historic wooden fort with surrounding cabins and a wooden fence is situated in a grassy park area with trees and a walking path.A bridge spans across a large, calm river with lush greenery on the banks and a cloudy sky above.

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We e-signed the paperwork for our new Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid tonight! Can’t wait to pick it up in a few days.

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Taking aim at the courts 🏷️26.05A

A historical marker provides information about the Lafayette County Courthouse, set against the backdrop of a large white columned building.A white architectural column with the inscription Battle of Lexington Sept 18-19-20, 1861 is seen from a low angle against a cloudy sky.

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This building served as the home office of the famed Pony Express. 🏷️26.05A

A street view of a vintage brick building with red windows in a small town setting.A historical plaque commemorates the Pony Express and its original office, mentioning key locations like Sacramento, St. Joseph, and Salt Lake City.

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We visited the Gen John J Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site. The home is closed for renovations, the schoolhouse had closed for the day too, but we did get to tour the museum, which was better than expected. 🏷️26.05A

A bronze statue of a military figure stands on a pedestal surrounded by memorial plaques, with an American flag and a historic white house in the background.A white, two-story house is elevated on blocks, surrounded by trees and other small structures.A circular emblem features a depiction of a man in military attire accompanied by red flowers, surrounded by the text Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site.A vintage car with a sign reading General Pershing Staff Car, Columbus is displayed in a museum setting with historical photos and military artifacts.

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The best thing… 🏷️26.05A

A brick building houses the Chillicothe Baking Co. Bakery with a Sliced Bread sign displayed.A large mural on the side of a building depicts a historic street scene with horse-drawn carriages and the text Home of Sliced Bread.A historical marker in Chillicothe, Missouri, details the town's significance as the home of the first automated bread slicing machine.A vintage bread slicer is displayed in a glass case, surrounded by historical photographs and bread-themed cushions, with a backdrop featuring an advertisement related to sliced bread.A weathered, metal electric chair is encased in a glass display with a plaque on top.A blue and white trolley bus labeled Sliced Bread is parked in a lot, featuring a yellow roof and large windows.

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Iowa is still learning what a food truck is. 🏷️26.05A

A building corner displays signs for Valentina's Mexican Food Truck and features an American flag and a sign indicating the intersection of Broadway Street and Central Street.
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We stopped by the site of the Icarian Colony, the longest running non-religious utopian project in America. 🏷️26.05A

A white wooden sign reading French Icarian Colony Village stands amidst purple flowers, with a historic white building and small outbuilding in the background set against a clear blue sky.A historical marker titled Icarian Colony describes the formation and settlement of a group in America, detailing their communal way of life and eventual dissolution, with a backdrop of greenery.

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Marked off another on Jen’s MLB Ballpark quest.

A baseball game is taking place in a large stadium with a crowd in attendance.Visitors are entering the Right Field Gate at Kauffman Stadium.

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“Boob guys” exiting en masse 🏷️26.05A

A highway scene features a road sign for Exit 72, marked DD, with a truck driving ahead and trees lining the side of the road.
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Coffee and tea 🏷️26.05A

A large, whimsical coffee pot sculpture adorned with colorful floral and flame designs stands on a grassy area under a clear blue sky.A large water tower is painted to resemble a colorful, decorative teacup against a clear blue sky.A tall water tower adorned with colorful floral designs stands beside a sign detailing its specifications in Stanton, Iowa.

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Stopped at another Freedom Rock. It’s actually part of a much larger project, one for each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Sounds like a fun quest if you live in Iowa. 🏷️26.05A

A large painted rock with images and text is displayed in a landscaped park setting with trees and a pavilion in the background.A large rock is painted with the design of the American flag.An outdoor informational display board features text and photographs about a park or garden event, possibly related to cherry blossoms.A painted rock featuring portraits and an American flag is displayed in a park, with a small statue of a person saluting nearby.A sign welcomes visitors to the Pottawattamie County Freedom Rock, describing its origin and significance in honoring veterans.

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Beetle spider and frens… 🏷️26.05A

A large metal sculpture resembling a spider is set in a grassy field against a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.Metal sculptures of a dinosaur and a dragon stand in a grassy field with trees and a clear sky in the background.A large metal sculpture of a spider and several dragon-like sculptures are displayed in an open grassy field under a clear blue sky.