Now we're crossing the Mississippi again, this time heading southwest to Missouri (Mizzoura if you're a local). OK, now we're lost looking for the State Park by Jefferson City where we heard that it was nice and quiet.... gotta ask that there state trooper for direction... Oh, Ms. GPS found it after all.
Tired of getting lost, we decided to rent a car and play tourist in Jefferson City, MO. Oh, no Enterprise Rental driver is also lost trying to find us. After a lot of explaining, he found us! Must be the lack of our southern accent!
They say, 'If you have to ask for direction, you're not from here'. Must be true, cuz our driver was from Jamaica!
The next 2 days, we're touristing (is that a word?) the Governor's Mansion (we were treated like royalty and received a personal tour from Mary the docent who was the wife of the State Treasurer - so she knew everyone and everybody), the State Capital & Museum and the State Penitentiary. Did you know that the Lewis & Clark expedition started at this point? Did you also know that Mr. Meriwether Lewis became the Governor of Mizzoura after he completed his expedition? Well, now you know.
Oh, we also made friends with the proprietor of a great little restaurant - Madison's (got free breadpudding... yum), then going further southeast on the back roads to find a suitable campground.......
Oh, we also made friends with the proprietor of a great little restaurant - Madison's (got free breadpudding... yum), then going further southeast on the back roads to find a suitable campground.......
Ooh... couldn't find any campgrounds... so guess we'll have to backtrack westward.... Discovered a mini Las Vegas aka Branson...... nope.... don't want to stay there... going further southwest to find a state park... aaah... nice and quiet.
The next morning, we broke camp and continued down the road. Oh no, poor Gertrude was squeaking away every time we turned a corner or slowed down. Hmmm.... doesn't sound good. Better investigate that... Nope, nothing inside is squeaking.. better turn into a quiet road. Check all the hubcabs, nope they're secure, check whether we're dragging any dead bodies under the carriage.. nope, all clean... check the brakes... hmmm... only squeaks when we're going forward and braking... Odd.......
Well, we're going to have to find a garage to see what gives.......
A nice postman came by and asked whether we're lost or need help. Allan befriends him and the postman tells him that if we go here and yonder, we'll find Wendell, a good friend of the postman. 'He'll sure come an fix y'all jest fine'! Onward we go here and yonder, and find Wendell the Mr. Fix-it guy. OK, Gertrude, Wendel checked you out upwards, downwards, forwards & backwards... nope... can't find her squeak.
Wendel says... "Mr. Allan, don't know what to tell y'all...but this girl here ain't squeaking for me.
Y'all run along now and stay safe.... Y'all come back if she squeaks some more".
Miraculously, Gertrude hasn't squeaks since....
Go figure!
The next morning, we broke camp and continued down the road. Oh no, poor Gertrude was squeaking away every time we turned a corner or slowed down. Hmmm.... doesn't sound good. Better investigate that... Nope, nothing inside is squeaking.. better turn into a quiet road. Check all the hubcabs, nope they're secure, check whether we're dragging any dead bodies under the carriage.. nope, all clean... check the brakes... hmmm... only squeaks when we're going forward and braking... Odd.......
Well, we're going to have to find a garage to see what gives.......
A nice postman came by and asked whether we're lost or need help. Allan befriends him and the postman tells him that if we go here and yonder, we'll find Wendell, a good friend of the postman. 'He'll sure come an fix y'all jest fine'! Onward we go here and yonder, and find Wendell the Mr. Fix-it guy. OK, Gertrude, Wendel checked you out upwards, downwards, forwards & backwards... nope... can't find her squeak.
Wendel says... "Mr. Allan, don't know what to tell y'all...but this girl here ain't squeaking for me.
Y'all run along now and stay safe.... Y'all come back if she squeaks some more".
Miraculously, Gertrude hasn't squeaks since....
Go figure!
So, now we're in the real back country... the dense Ozark National Forest area and the Arkansas Scenic Byway, where the roads are as skinny as their chickens and as curvy as their women.... Hmmm..... all I can think of is the tune of the banjo in the 'Deliverance' movie! Mind you, we had to share the road with road mowers, loggers and lots of bikers (the motorcycle kind). Passing places like Booger Hollow, we find that gasoline prices are amazingly low $1.98/gal...
Woo hoo... fill her up, even if it may be moonshine....!
Woo hoo... fill her up, even if it may be moonshine....!
OK, enough of the drama... the power plant is healthy (lots of white steam coming out) and the lake is a successful water shed story. Much of the wildlife which was suffering in this area several years ago are now thriving... YEAH!
Time to relax, do a little bike riding in this humid climate and tomorrow we'll break camp and head .... yes, more west...... to Fort Smith to visit Rolla & Wilma our neighbors for many years when we were living in the Via Mindi House. It'll be such fun to see them again.
Y'all be good now!!
to be continued...