Tire Replaced, Tasty Lunch and An Early Day.

Our Location today is at Pilot Truck Stop in Joplin, Missouri.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

After only driving 250.4 Miles yesterday and spending the night at Lowe’s in Lebanon, Missouri while dealing with another Blowout we thought that we’d have no problems sleeping. What we didn’t count on was the temperature dropping into the Mid-Twenties overnight. We waited until it was time to get dressed before turning on the Furnace. If we were set up in the dry environment of the Desert we’d run our Blue Flame Heater. Instead while we travel we snuggle under our warm blankets and use the Furnace just for a quick warm up.

Breakfast was a cup of Coffee and a Pastry that we picked up at Myers in Michigan on Sunday. It was lite and filling enough considering our activity level. We were soon closed up to head to Sawyer Tire. The Tire Repair Guy had never seen a Blowout this bad but I told him at least the Sidewalls were still attached unlike our previous one that barely had the rings left. He did a great job, was fast and courteous but couldn’t figure out why we were going out to the desert for the winter.

We were on the road shortly after 10:30 heading westbound towards Springfield. As we were driving along and saw the distant Walmart sign we both said let’s go for a walk. The Exit Ramp was really different. You drive on the Left Side of the Interstate Bridge then crossover when you reach the main road.

Once we were parked we realized that we were more hungry then cramped. Spotting the New China Restaurant up the hill we decided to give it a try. With the low prices we thought that we would be eating a small sample sized meal. Instead we both ate more then our fill and have equally as much for another meal this week. Good thing we didn’t go to the Golden Corral on the other side of the road.

Even though the temperature today would reach 54 F (12 C) there was a cold north wind that chilled us to the bone. By the time we put our Leftovers in the Fridge we were too cold to walk to the Walmart store itself.

Back on the street we had to do another crossover to cross the Interstate Bridge but by doing so put us directly on the Ramp to I-44 West.

We had planned an overnight stop in Oklahoma so we definitely had plenty of time on our hands but we were feeling tired. We think we were so cold last night that we didn’t sleep properly. Being tired behind the wheel is also not a good thing so when we started seeing the signs for Joplin coming up we thought we’d just stop and have a coffee.

By the time we had our second Coffee at the Wendy’s up front we didn’t feel like getting back on the road. Looking out the window we could see the KOA we stayed at in March. We figure after driving only 128.5 Miles today we’ll just get an early start tomorrow.

We’ve been looking at comments we’ve been getting and appreciate everyone’s concerns and suggestions. We have planned things to see as we head west this fall but are still flexible about our return trip in the spring.

The Weather Network shows the night-time temperatures here are the same as back Home so we’ll be heading further south soon. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Pictures taken
by Kathy

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

A little sincerity is a dangerous thing,

and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal.

Oscar Wilde, Irish Poet and Playwright