As I wrote last night of yesterday’s man-ventures, as my sister calls them in her blog, I was sweating, itching, and
straining to see the keyboard to make corrections to my numerous typing errors. Nothing could be more opposite tonight. I am sitting in a plush chair behind a lamp-lit desk in an air conditioned hotel room.
We woke to Tims’ phone alarm this morning at 5:30, feeling like it was finally cool enough to go to sleep. We sat puffy eyed in the tent for a minute or two deciding if it was worth potential fungal infections to take showers in the disgustingly humid camp bathroom at the KOA. Sanitation (depending on the view you take of it) prevailed and we all ended up showering before breaking camp and heading to the local McD’s for their breakfast fare.
Soon enough we were back on the I-80 plowing through the cornfields of Nebraska. Field after field, hill after hill, the corn just kept appearing. Every now and again we would come across something that would cause a double take; a bridge over the interstate that didn’t connect any roads (a monument of sorts?), a semi towing a semi that seemed to be driving toward us on the wrong side of the road, and a lot of mist rising from the ground.
I was reminded of my time in Texas as we stopped for gas in Nebraska City. The gas station and its amenities would have been front page news in Utah for the Vodka and other hard liquors on an aisle end-cap and the unmentionable items that one could purchase from the vending machine in the mens bathroom. since we thought so highly of the
establishment we tarried a little while and played a not-so-vigorous game of catch with Adams’ frisbee rings as Rob topped off the white car with an entire quart of motor oil. Then, without much (nay, any) fanfare we were back on the road watching the corn bob up and down as we crested the hill-lets of eastern Nebraska.
We cut through a small chunk of Iowa (with it’s low, partially flooded Interstate) and then moseyed on in to Missouri, where, Rob and I reflected, it was legal for us to be killed on sight just a relatively short time ago. (See Lilburn Boggs’ Extermination Order against Mormons.) After a brief moment’s reflection on the subject,
our minds returned to the Sherlock Holmes mystery we were listening to. Our next stop for the day would be the Historic Liberty Jail of Liberty, MO, a famous piece of Mormon history. As we approached Liberty we were amazed at the abundance of streetlights which all seemed to turn red for us. Liberty itself was much more kind and provided us with pleasant views of a quaint historic downtown. The Liberty jail was really neat to see and experience at least once in my life. The jailis actually a replica of the historic jail built on the original foundation and using many of the original stones and is enclosed in an igloo shaped visitors’ center. The only downside was that the missionary led presentation was a lot longer than we expected.
As we continued across Missouri, it became less corn infested (but still had a lot of corn fields) and more infested with other dangers. Apparently the main industries of Missouri are fireworks and adult themed super stores. Both believe in aggressive advertising, which is understandable because of the fierce competition in and between these industries. (By the way, it’s ironic to call them industries when they both result in a form destruction, but I digress.) Adam had a field day with his comments through the walkie talkies. I believe it culminated with Adam and Tim being dared to run naked through a corn field. It did not happen.
I saw the largest rivers I have ever seen today (bridge picture). We passed over the Missouri and straddled the Mississippi in St. Louis. large rivers are nothing like the creeks and stream I, as a westerner, call rivers. Just past the last time we crossed the Missouri river, we pulled in to the Holiday Inn we would stay at tonight. It’s in a suburb of St. Louis called Earth City, which got it’s name from being built completely on an old landfill. It doesn’t stink, like I thought it might.
We all piled into one car as we went in search of discounted Cardinals v Pirates tickets. Adam and Tim were our ground agents as Rob and I drove around downtown St. Louis trying to avoid pedestrians who had forgotten traffic lights in their excitement to get to the game. Three times Adam and Tim purchased (or almost purchased) tickets only to double check the date and find they were for tomorrow’s game. Each time they were able to quickly get a full refund.
Having given up on the game, we turned our attention to finding a real restaurant from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. We found the Iron Barley which had been featured on Triple D and had received high marks from reviewers. The place touted itself as being famous for unusual American food. It was unusual, but oh, was it good. For example, my meal was a oak roasted pork chop on a bed of barley with sriracha sauce. Tim’s was even more unusual; a plate of sausage in strawberry sauce. All in all it was a great experience.
We headed back to the hotel after the dinner and Rob, Adam, and Tim swam in the pool while I started this post. I lost part of it due to browser error, and now as I finish Tim and Adam are asleep and Rob looks like he’s about to join the call and response of low snores. I guess I’m done with todays’ account, and if not I’ll add anot
her addendum like this morning.
Bribunk 