Wednesday, May 7th -

I have to say, and it does scare a part of me after I saw 60 Minutes on Sunday, that I do forget what day it is at times. So does Don but when you're on the road and we're changing plans all the time based on a number of things that it's easy to get your days mixed up. The 60 Minutes show was about the "90+ Study" and one of the questions used in a test for dementia was "What day is it"?

So yesterday we arrived here at Springfield, MO. We cut short our Illinois stay because it was going to rain and be cold. We are cutting short our stay here because of severe weather warnings. So, we are leaving tomorrow. It's sad as today was beautiful. We just came in at 8p from sitting outside in the breeze. It's still light outside and the birds and squirrels are everywhere. There is a storm system headed this way and we'd rather not sit it out as the news here is saying it can be severe. So after praying for guidance, we feel it is best to head out early tomorrow. This is a beautiful park with lots  of trees for shade and green carpets of grass with woods around.

Illinois was fun. We went to downtown Springfield and visited the Lincoln Library. It is beautiful. I took a few pictures before I noticed the sign prohibiting photos. The Lincoln Museum was across the street but we could not go in. We had Sis at home waiting for us so our time was limited. The whole downtown Springfield area is awash in Lincoln sites and facts. I wish we had a whole day to wander but I'm grateful for what we did see. We can always come back...maybe next year.

Today we took a little drive back to Sam's Club (we were there yesterday for a food run) to fill up on diesel fuel which was only $3.63 - the cheapest we've paid since we left Phoenix. Across the street was an Andy's Frozen Custard...so, you know...we went there. I have to say, it beats anything we've ever had, including Carvel's. It is the BEST! We even, just now, debated going back for more but we know better. I'll have the memory until we come back this way. Next to Andy's was Einstein's Bagels. I have only seen once since home and it was at a rest stop. So, you know... we went there. Of course, poor Don couldn't have any. I bought a few to bring home. I'll freeze them for the way...

Speaking of rest stops, we have seen some beauties. There are some that cross the highway. It's pretty creepy to be in the walkway when a semi comes by underneath you. They have Starbucks, Panera Bread, McD's, and a host of other food places in them. The facilities are nice, clean and modern.

After Andy's and Einstein's, we went to downtown Springfield (Missouri this time). We passed another Andy's (yes, we were tempted) and a host of other places BUT the crowning glory was the Bass Pro Shops store. It is the company flagship, national headquarters store. It easily takes up 4 blocks and they are still adding to it. They have everything there - taxidermy, repairs, catalog sales, boats (not just a few either), conservation center, I can't remember the rest but it is huge and they are adding to it. They even took over a closed up K-Mart store. That's where the catalog sales and pick-up are. The rest of the complex all looks classy like the Bass Pro Shop stores.

I knew we have been traveling in the Bible Belt but I have never seen so many churches. There is easily one every block and some are very large. Everywhere you look there's a church. There are billboards for churches too and lots of billboards with Christian messages (these we've seen in most of these states).

There are also a lot of Donut shops including Krispy Kreme. So many donut shops would not make it in Phoenix. Lots of Oriental Food too, every couple of blocks in certain areas. There have been lots of car washes too, I guess due to the salt on the roads in the snowy weather. We went through one and they use HOT water. There are also many same day denture shops. We've seen all these things in several states now. Lastly we've seen some oldies... Sinclair and Hess gas stations. I haven't seen those in many years.

These states have farm roads. You can use them to get around the toll roads. We were told they are confusing but we have been using them regularly with no problems. They are fun because you can see all the rural areas and beautiful old (and newer) homes, yards and ranches. The only bad thing about them is they are very narrow and some don't have much if any shoulder before you might be on a slope. Not a very steep one but enough to cause a large problem.

We are looking forward to being home soon but it is also a bit sad that our Excellent Adventure has to end. It has been grand just seeing everything and being free to pretty much go where we want except for being weather conscious. We know this whole adventure has been a gift and a wonderful opportunity to see the beauty of our country. We have thought about you all during our travels and especially when seeing certain sites. Devon, I thought of you at the Lincoln Library and thought how awesome it would be if you could bring your classes there. I think of our neighbor Charles when I see the beautiful Robins, Cardinals and squirrels outside as he does such a great job photographing birds at home.

That's it for tonight. We are headed to Oklahoma tomorrow. We are hoping to leave here before the storm and it looks like we will not be heading into it unless of course the weather changes from what we heard today.

I'll try to add some pictures when I post this message. Good night everyone.

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 This picture does not do the complex any justice

Our spot here in MO. VERY nice! That's it for pictures, the internet is not very good, as usual.