Iggy's

Back on the road today.   We are heading into Kansas and it looks like we will be without internet for a while. I set Blogger to automatically publish.

Meanwhile back in Carthage.


Wonderful little diner in Carthage Missouri.

Website:  Iggy's Diner

Holy Cow

Mom and I were driving back to the RV Park in Carthage when my phone rang.  I didn't want to answer it while driving through city traffic so I let it go to voice mail.  The next traffic light that turned red I picked up my phone.  I glanced down to make sure I was pressing and holding "1" to call voice mail.  When I glanced up I was face to face with a 18 wheeler.

Scared the holy ned out of me because he wasn't stopping..  I hit my horn twice because I was nervous.   It appears he just couldn't make that turn and I was in his way.  I had to back up and give him room.

I am so happy I am in an itty bitty van.

More Pictures of Carthage MO

Richard Marlin Perkins
Born 28 March 1905
Carthage, Missouri, USA
Died     14 June 1986 (aged 81)
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Web Page:  Wild Kingdom


The Plaque At The Base Read:

His Life Was Gentle And The Elements So Mix'd In Him That Nature Might Stand Up And Say To All The World, This Was A Man!  Shakespeare

Sculpted By Bob Tommy and Bill Snow 1988

Also At The Carthage Park Was This Fountain

Across the street was the Carthage Library where these pictures were taken.

Avilla, Maple Grove, Carthage

Maple Grove

Maple Grove Missouri located just a few miles from Avilla Missouri on State Road 37.  I was in awe of the Cardinal singing and video taped the church with his song as the background music.

Route 66

Mom and I traveled from Springfield to Carthage on Route 66. Someone said it would be a boring trip but I knew there had to be something exciting. Once I had the internet I starting searching and I found the excitement in the small town of Avilla.  Today we traveled to Avilla.  

In Avilla the abandon buildings and fields are said to be haunted by the “Shadow Folks.” Shadow Folks are dark shadowy ghosts. They are seen walking around in the town, standing under abandoned store awnings, in windows and passing through the lock doors of the US Post Office. They usually disappear when they are being watched by the living. There is one Shadow Folk that is the town drunk. These Shadow Folks are best seen at night or early morning but has been seen during the day.

There is the Avilla Phantom of the Death Tree Legend. He is totally different from the Shadow Folks. He is more of an evil energy while the Shadow Folks are more benign. He haunts the Death Tree (believed to be a very old hedge apple tree at the edge of an apple orchard near the outskirts of Avilla). I know the next question is “why is it called the death tree.” Well during the Civil War, a Confederate Bushwhacker was killed during fighting at the southern edge of Avilla. When he was found months later, his skull had a large bullet hole and his body had deteriorated to a skeleton. Instead of a burial, the town citizen militia hung the head from a tree as a warning to other enemies. The tree became known as the ''Death Tree'' and the skull hung for over a year for all to see.

I do know that shadowy figures do exist. We all have seen them but most people won’t admit it. That is why I would give my right arm just to spend a couple of nights in one of the fields surrounding Avilla. Instead I settled for a walk around town looking at the buildings and a beautiful old church. I also took time to admire someone’s yard. I love anything that has “character” and Avilla has it. It is a neat old town.

Carthage Missouri

After visiting Avilla we went back to Carthage and walked the town square. We stopped in the 1950’s style diner and ordered a couple of salads. I have been doing pretty well about watching what I eat but unfortunately on Tuesday it is free brownies day with every meal ordered. I need to learn to say NO. Later we went to Kellogg Lake and walked the river. It was there that we decided to find the “Crap Duster.” We located him just down the road. It was a great day, tomorrow will be even better.


Life is good.

To view my photographs click on the Names below.

Avilla Missouri

Carthage Missouri

Kellogg Lake

Maple Grove Missouri