Trail of Tears State Park

Tawnja, Kasey and I left the kids in the capable hands of my parents in St. Charles, MO and left for a well needed ladies Spring Break road trip!  As we took off, we followed the map with a highlighter to document our course.  I commented to Tawnja that it would be nice to intersect with the Trail of Tears at some point, but we weren't sure exactly where it crossed through the states we were driving.  We were amazed to come across a sign directing us to the Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau, MO.  I have been trying to research my family history and know that my Great Grandmother was Cherokee.  It can be very difficult to trace because they actually did alot to cover up their Native American roots.  I was looking forward to cross the path that my ancestors walked.  When we entered the park, Tawnja commented that it felt like we were on sacred ground.  We took our photo's at the entrance and headed to the information building, only to find out that it was closed.  I was really dismayed because I was hoping to find some pertinent information to my Burch relatives.  We walked around the park, and saw a park ranger whom I tracked down.  Out of the kindness of his heart, he let me in to the center.  There was a nice lady working there and she gave me several packets and handouts to research my geneaology and American Indian ancestry.  They also gave me a free TOT pin and brochures.  We continued through the park and went to the dock the ranger told me was where the canoes came across the river.  It was amazing.  Tawnja found a piece of driftwood and gave it to me as a memento of our stop.  I will definately go back there someday to go through the center.