Paducah

Wow, I didn’t realize Paducah was on my route.  Did you know that Paducah is like mecca for quilters.  Since I still quilt, I had to stop at the National Quilt Museum.  But I arrived at 11am and they didn’t open until 1pm.

So I found this statue nearby and I learn that Clark (of Lewis and Clark) bought present-day Paducah for $5.  He started his expedition here and here was where he recruited George Drouillard, the Indian interpreter.  Then they went upstream to St. Louis, which is my next destination.  This statue shows how Lewis and Clark would give the Indians medals and flags in exchange for food and clothing.

I was drawn to the bright quilts today in the museum.  Here are a few of my favorites:

But then again, I can also be drawn to subtleties in shades and colors as well:

They had a special exhibit by Paula Kovarik.  There is a lot of thread play in quilts now, but she takes it to a whole different level.  Look at the detail, it was simply amazing.

I’m staying tonight in the parking lot of the Florissant Elks Lodge outside St. Louis.  It’s the first time I’ve stayed at an Elks lodge.  I’m way in the back corner, but I have electricity (read air conditioning) at a fraction of the price of a campground.  I went back into the bar and my first drink was on the house, and the second was $2.75.  I talked for a couple of hours with the bartender (Jessie) and another woman who camps.  It was very entertaining and I should fall asleep quickly tonight.