Our Koffee Trail & Route 66: Rise & Grind Coffee Station

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

Location: Rise & Grind Coffee Station, Miller, MO

Rating: 👎 (Never Again)

Rise & Grind Coffee Station was one of our stops on our day exploring Route 66 from Springfield, MO to Joplin, MO. This was one place we wish we had skipped. For one, they did not have decaf. I do not mind having regular coffee every once in a while, but it ended up being served burning tongue and too hot to hold and did not even taste good (hot or when cooled off).

Dad had the Hot Mess Espresso (White Mocha, Vanilla, Toasted Marshmallow, Sweet Cream Foam).

I had the Pretty Little Poison (Brown Sugar Syrup, Cinnamon, Cold Foam). There are coffees I like more than others, but very rare that I do not even want to finish the coffee. Not sure if it was the coffee or the cold foam, which I am not sure I have ever had before, but cannot imagine it was the flavor I choose because I have had brown sugar syrup and cinnamon before and liked it.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Route 66 Daily Journal: April 29, 2026

Today we did Route 66 from Springfield, MO to Joplin, MO.

We started our day walking over to Brick & Mortar Coffee. It was only a block from the hotel and the road was closed between it and the hotel as the new Queen’s Gate 66 monument wasn’t quite finished, so driving would have taken longer.

Once back to the car, we took one of the Route 66 alignments through Springfield and continued on Route 66 to Gay Parita Filing Station in Ash Grove, MO.

On our way to our next stop, we made an unplanned photo stop at Spencer’s Station.

Next we got coffee at Rise & Grind Coffee Station.

Nearby we found a Lawerence County, Missouri Route 66 sculpture.

Our next stop was Red Oak II, where we spent about an hour exploring.

We made a quick stop at the Webb City Visitor Center for the Mother Road Passport Stamp.

Our next planned stop was Supertam 66, but it wasn’t open, so we continued on to Joplin to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum, which also has the National Cookie Cutter Collection.

In the park nearby, we also really enjoyed the Route 66 World Street Painting Gallery.

As we headed back through Joplin, we stopped at the Route 66 Mural Park.

We also went in to the Joplin Visitor Center and enjoyed their local history and art exhibits.

On our way back through Webb City, we stopped at the Praying Hands sculpture.

Next we were able to visit Supertam 66 to check out their Superman Museum and have some ice cream as it was open in the late afternoon/evening.

Our last stop on our way back to Springfield was the Boots Court Motel in Carthage.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here.

Our Koffee Trail & Route 66: Brick & Mortar Coffee

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

Location: Brick & Mortar Coffee, Springfield, MO

Rating: 👍 (Like)

We started our day walking over to Brick & Mortar Coffee.

Dad enjoyed the Purple Haze (Ube Latte).

I enjoyed the Spring 4ward (Lavender, Caramel, Coconut, Cardamon Latte).

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Route 66 Daily Journal: April 28, 2026

We arrived in Springfield, MO, and did a whole ~0.5 mile of Route 66 before ending our day at the Best Western Rail Haven, where we stayed in the Elvis Room.

When we arrived a major storm had just come through (luckily we mostly avoided driving through it) and the power was out at the hotel (and apparently half of Springfield). We had to check in the old fashioned way filling out a piece of paper. Dad joked about it being just like Elvis back in 1956.

After about an hour, the power returned. It was also starting to get dark outside and while it was still raining some, we walked over to get photos of the neon sign.

We also checked out the nearby Queen’s Gate 66, which wasn’t quite finished - it’s being dedicated in a few days.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here.

Ranger Dan: 116.1 Stones River National Battlefield

Date of Visit: April 28, 2026

Stones River National Battlefield has been on my to do list for many Nashville trips, but we never got around to going. This year as I try to collect as many 250 stamps as I can, we managed to make time for a visit.

We got to the park when the parking lot area opened at 7:30am. We spent the time until the Visitor Center opened walking the little over 2 mile trail that roughly follows the road tour route.

Blue Grosbeak

The trail was a good way to learn about the battle and also good for birdwatching (saw some new lifers - Great Crested Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, and Blue Grosbeak).

Dad enjoyed the various flowers.

I did a sketch at Slaughter's Run.

Once the Visitor Center opened, I got my National Park passport stamps and I went through the museum while Dad watched the 10 minute video about the battlefield.

Hazen Brigade Monument

Before continuing on to Missouri, we visited the cemetery, Hazen Brigade Monument (oldest original Civil War monument), and Fortress Rosencrans.

Cedars Trail

Cedars Trail

Michigan Marker

Slaughter's Run

Cotton Field Trail

Medal of Honor

Civil War Drum Replica

Union Uniform

Confederate Uniform

Cemetery

Cemetery

Redoubt Brannan - Fortress Rosencrans

Redoubt Brannan - Fortress Rosencrans

See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.

Our Koffee Trail: Nashville Coffees

Date: April 28, 2026

Location: Nashville Coffees (Nasvhille, TN)

Rating: 👍 (Like)

As we hit the road this morning, we went back to the same coffee shop we visited last time we stayed at the KOA Nashville. Dad and I both got drinks from their Spring Seasonal menu.

Dad got a Honey Lavender Latte.

I got a Blackberry Cream Latte.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Nashville area posts:

• Caliber Coffee Co. ❤️
• KOA Nashville Mini Golf
• Nashville Coffees 👍