DAY 2 - Saturday, September 6, 2025 | Ohio to Missouri
Sandstone canyons at Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, Indiana
MILES
499
STOPS
5
ORIGIN
Columbus, OH
DESTINATION
St. Louis, MO
DRIVE TIME
~8.5 hrs
TOTAL TIME
~12 hrs
🛑 Stop 1: Dayton, OH
Our original plan was to start the day with a visit to Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, but the site was closed for renovation. Fortunately, we were still able to visit the Wright Cycle Company, which turned out to be a worthwhile and unexpected bonus.
Since the main site was unavailable, we pivoted to the National Museum of the United States Air Force—an unplanned stop that ended up being one of the highlights of the day. We could have easily spent an entire day there, but with limited time, we rushed through four massive hangars in just over an hour. We left most impressed by the sheer scale of the B-52 on display; even photographs struggle to convey its size and wingspan.
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B52
We walked away most impressed by the size of the B52 on display. The photo does not do justice to the size and wingspan of this aircraft.
🛑 Stop 2: Carmel, Indiana
Our original plan had been to stop for lunch in Indianapolis, but during the drive Ari did some research and suggested we detour to Carmel, Indiana—often referred to as the “roundabout capital of the United States”.
She’s a big fan of Pete Buttigieg (as am I) and transportation infrastructure in general, so this stop was an easy decision. She was genuinely giddy as we navigated the city’s many roundabouts, photographing them as if they were national monuments.
When we arrived, we were greeted by an unexpected bonus: Artomobilia, a massive car show taking over much of the city. We walked around, admired the cars, and eventually opted for a quick Chick-fil-A drive-through for lunch—there were simply too many people to find a quiet place to sit.
Carmel was absolutely worth the stop. The car show was a surprise highlight, and the city itself felt charming, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed.
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Carmel, IN
The roundabout capital of the U.S. is also a cycling friendly city.
🛑 Stop 3: Turkey Run State Park, Indiana
Before the trip, I had come across photos of Trail 3 at Turkey Run State Park and knew we were in for something special. Once we descended into the sandstone canyon, we were both immediately captivated by the geology and the dramatic landscape surrounding us.
After the crowds in Carmel, stepping into nature felt especially refreshing. While Turkey Run was busy as well, we still managed to find pockets of solitude and quiet—an unexpected and very welcome surprise. The hike exceeded expectations, and the beauty of the canyon made it one of the most memorable stops of the day. This was another ChatGPT recommendation that absolutely delivered.
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Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, IN
To get to the trail we hiked (#3) and all the other hiking trails, you will need to cross the suspension bridge that spans over Sugar Creek. Once across you’ll be in the Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve which contains a maze of deep sandstone canyons and one of the last remnants of the forest that once covered most of Indiana.
🛑 Stop 4: Effingham, Illinois
Our next stop brought us to downtown Effingham, Illinois, for a short break from driving. The plan was to walk around and check out Sculptures on the Avenue while stretching our legs.
We didn’t come across the sculptures, but we did stumble upon another unexpected car-centric event: Effingham Cruise Night. Local auto enthusiasts were cruising a designated route through downtown, showing off everything from classic restorations to some truly unique vehicles.
🛑 Final Stop: St. Louis, Missouri
Our final stop for the day was the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. The Gateway Arch had long been on my bucket list, so I made sure we had tickets for the first tram to the top on Sunday morning.
After checking in, we walked around the grounds briefly before park staff informed us that the area closes at night—no evening strolls allowed. It felt a bit odd for such a landmark, but rules are rules. We wrapped up the day with dinner at one of the hotel restaurants and turned in early, ready for the next leg of the journey.
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St. Louis Gateway Arch at night. Ari taking a photo of it.
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St. Louis Gateway Arch at night. Posing for a photo..