Missourians expect a lot from the state’s chief executive. We want balanced budgets, ample social welfare programs, low taxes, and wisdom when it comes to policy and pardons.

Against this backdrop, we applaud Gov. Matt Blunt for keeping perspective on the Average Joe who is struggling to pay his gas bill and wonders how to entertain the family this summer without going a lot deeper in debt.

Gov. Blunt is touring the state, today through Wednesday, on what he calls his “Show-Me Tourism Tour.” He thinks the state has a lot to offer vacationers, this year more than ever.

“This summer, as gas prices drive the costs of long-distance travel even higher, I encourage Missourians to explore the many opportunities within arm’s reach, right here in Missouri,” he said.

The governor, first lady Melanie Blunt and their 3-year-old son, William Branch, will take a three-day RV tour of 12 Missouri state parks and historic sites. He’ll pay a pretty penny for gas, but for just two nights on the road, his family will see a lot of history and scenic Missouri countryside.

Day One will start at Dillard Mill State Historic Site in Davisville, in southeastern Missouri, and include stops at Pilot Knob, Ste. Genevieve and Goldman, where the family will tour the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Mastodon State Historic Site.

Day Two will include stops at Hermann, the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site at Florida, and Gen. John J. Pershing’s boyhood home at Laclede.

Day Three will feature Thomas Hart Benton’s home and studio in Kansas City, the Watkins Woolen Mill State Park at Lawson and other stops at Lexington and Arrow Rock. The tour ends at Jefferson City with the dedication of a new monument to explorers Lewis and Clark.

The governor is right to emphasize the many wonderful tourism opportunities in the state. Trips taken in our own backyard will cost Missourians less. And the dollars we do spend will help support the 293,000 people employed in our tourism industry.

Our only regret is that Gov. Blunt’s family will not be visiting our part of Northwest Missouri on this trip.

We’ve hosted the governor quite often for formal meetings and building dedications, but it’s not the same as wetting a line together at Mozingo Lake or giving William Branch a ride on the carousel at the Patee House Museum.

With the governor choosing not to run for re-election this year, we look forward to hosting the family on a future, leisurely vacation without the pressing need to head back to the office.