I am in Missouri right now. I won’t be here for long, so if you’re in Missouri, I’m sorry—I’ve probably missed you.
I’ve come through Missouri a few times this year, and I’ve decided I like it. There’s some weird stuff going on: The French stuff. The bayous. The Arch (bet aliens are pretty impressed by that one). The seeming importance of Route 66 Tourist Traps™ to many local economies.
It’s a pretty state, with the Ozarks happening somewhere (everywhere?); lots of rustic, blue collar towns; two gritty cities; and (assuming this is pretty, because I’ve never seen it) the Lake of the Ozarks.
Missouri also has a lack of self-importance going for it. Beyond Cardinals fans, and Royals fans for exactly two (2) seasons, there isn’t a lot of ego here. It’s not boastful. It’s not showing off. Its license plate has bears on it. Most belovedly, it’s one of those states where much of it feels isolated enough that one could probably get away with some shit. Some not-criminal-but-also-not-exactly-legal shit. Like throwing apples at a billboard.
Anyway, verdict’s in on Missouri: It’s a good thing.
