Day 2

Hello Again ~

Here we are at the end of Day 2. We left Tucumcari at 7:45 NM time (6:45 AZ time) - about 24 hours to the minute of when we left Phx yesterday.

Our destination goal was Springfield, MO. We drove and drove and drove. Saw many beautiful farms, cattle, horses. It really was a beautiful, green, lovely drive. We were on a couple of turnpikes. I know for some of you you're like, "Yeah, what's the big deal?" Well, for many of us in AZ, we're like, "What the heck is a turnpike??" It's a big event.

Another big change of the day is that we entered HUMIDITY. The temp was only around 90 or less, but it felt unusually hot. The saving grace was the wind or breeze, depending on where we were, that blew and seemed to cool things down a bit.

POD - The first pic is of a man, in his 80s we guessed, riding on? in? this motorcyle type of car. We saw him when we were filling up in one town. Then many miles later we pulled off to trade drivers and who pulls in behind us? This man and a younger man who seemed to be looking out for him. It was an interesting sight.

The 2 other pics are based on a recommendation by my brother, David. He took the trip "virtually" through Google Earth and came upon this cross on his "trip." He told us we can't miss it and that we had to take a picture of it. So, here's to you Bruth!! Thanks for the tip. :-)

You may be wondering where we ended up afterall. We arrived in Joplin, MO about 7pm (MO time). Why not go all the way to Springfield? you may ask. Well, since it's a weekend we were a bit concerned about rooms at the inns. So while I drove Malcolm called around and found the La Quinta main number. He called it and learned there was no room at the 2 inns in Springfield. So he asked about rooms at a La Quinta in Joplin. Sure enough the hotel is in Joplin, and they had room. So, with a sigh of relief, that's where we are tonight. This adds at least an hour on to our drive tomorrow, but that's ok. We'll take it as it comes and enjoy the ride no matter what.

One of our fun entertainments today was singing this "duet." Malcolm sang Oh Canada while I sang The Star Spangled Banner. The first time around we didn't start on the same note but did start at the same time. I changed keys several times through the song. In the end, we both ended at the same time and very close to the same note. We should have left well enough alone. The 2nd time we started together, on the same note...and then I ended before Malcolm and we were on VERY different notes in the end. Very funny. We laughed quite a bit during and after this exercise.

We are both very grateful for this opportunity. It's a trip of a lifetime. We are not taking it for granted how blessed we are to be doing this period, and to be taking this trip together. We are also grateful for each of you, that you are loved ones in our lives.

Malcolm says this, "After 7.5 hours of driving I feel like a zombie but I'm still spreading love and joy. Lots of love to all."

We are leaving here tomorrow morning at 6am (4am AZ) to try to get into Chicago around 3 in the afternoon. Until Chicago.......

Some of you have emailed me to say that you couldn't post without your own account. Sorry about that. I don't know how to change that.