As I drive through the prairies of Missouri, I am taken by the beauty of this land. Not only is it fertile with crops, but apparently has cultivated some of America’s great creative talents as well. Driving down a secondary highway bordered by endless fields, I pulled off the highway to get gas in Marceline, MO. I was completely surprised to see signs marking the birthplace and childhood town of Walt Disney. An hour or so down that same lonesome highway, I saw signs for Hannibal, MO, birthplace of Samuel Clemmens, AKA Mark Twain. Although, I have taken little time on this trip for siteseeing (besides toy stores), the coincidence of happening upon the small home towns of these two legendary figures was too great. I enjoyed a few moments at small museums and walking the same streets that these creative geniuses walked as boys. Maybe a drop of that creative energy will inspire me to new toy inventions.
