Sikeston Missouri; Hinton RV Park; & Dexter MO

After a few weeks of visiting people and places in Indiana and seeing new places in Illinois, it was time to relocate our 40 foot home to a location on the other side of the mighty Mississippi River.  It was about 200 miles and a 4 hour drive including one stop along the I-57 southbound route.

The bridge at Cairo was quite tall and narrow as one of the lanes was closed, but we navigated it just fine.  Twenty-five years ago, we always loved to camp along the Mississippi River and watch all the river traffic lazily move past.  Yes, this brings back many good memories of us with our 2 boys in our 27 foot travel trailer.  We would meet Pat’s parents, Ray and Pat, in their 5th wheel camper at the Trail of Tears State Park.  This was back when they allowed camping in the lower section by the train tracks and the river.  Lot of good memories of sitting around the campfire and then playing games.

Back to the current trip, after crossing into Missouri we just ventured down the road a short hop to Sikeston, Missouri.  Our campground was the Hinton RV Park just outside of town and barely off the interstate.  This was another campground that is mainly for just overnighters as it did not have much to offer except some fast wifi.  We stayed here for one week as is our normal pattern to be able to really get out and learn about the area and to take advantage of the discounted rates.  The sites were very close, but were plenty long enough for the big rig and had full hook ups.

On our first night here, we went grocery shopping and found a very limited selection store.  Then we stopped at Lambert’s for dinner.  When we lived near here back in the late 1980’s, we would always take visitors to the home of the throwed rolls.  As we remembered, the portions were huge and they still will toss a hot-out-of-the-oven roll to you if you raise your hand.  Be careful if stretching your arm out!

We lived in Dexter Mo. all those many years ago, just about 25 miles west down Hwy 60.  I have a good friend from Dexter who took me for a Saturday river boat ride while Pat had to make a quick trip back to Virginia to pick up her driver’s license.  Long story there.  Anyway, while she was away Orin and I raced his jet boat up and down the Black River near Poplar Bluff.  This was an incredibly fun adventure as we raced around sand bars, log jams, and other obstacles.  His boat is an aluminum flat bottom boat with a 65 horse Merc with the jet drive.  It will run in about 3-4 inches of water.  We took some fried chicken and beer and met up with some other river boats along a sand bar.  That was a fun afternoon.

The town of Sikeston Missouri has an interesting history.  Like many towns in this area, it is currently quite depressed and does not appear to have much growth.  But that was not always the case.  Here is a full history, but I will try to summarize.  Spanish explorers are said to have visited the Sikeston area in 1541. At that time the region consisted of cypress swamps and forested prairies. In 1789 the King of Spain ordered an overland route be established between New Orleans and St. Louis.  John Sikes acquired the land and had the town named after him.  The new railroad in 1860 brought more commerce to town.  During the Civil War, Sikeston was a key location and was occupied by both sides.  After the war, they figured out how to drain the swamps and it became some of the most fertile farm land in the country producing much wealth from the cotton plantations.  By 1912 Sikeston had become home to more millionaires than any city of its size in the United States.  As evidenced by the number of grand old homes in the town.

They have a walking tour of these fine old homes that is about a mile in length.  We did this twice.  The pamphlet describes the history of the house and what is the style of the building.  Just love the charm of these stately old mansions.  But would not want to have to heat one in the winter months.

Is Sikeston a potential for us to find a retirement home?  It does not meet all of our requirements as it can still have a cold winter and the things to do are limited.

Have a great day!