All About the Road

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Today was truly all about the road. We had a lovely breakfast at Parkway Hotel in St Louis, after which Liam had a lively conversation with an older gentleman while waiting for us to load up. We then hopped on Route 66, and occasionally off it, if there weren't any interesting sites. Along the way, we found an abandoned cemetery in the woods, Devil's Elbow, Gaboney Cave, Rainbow Bridge and Totem Pole Park, as well as a variety of other minor little stops. This may be the longest completely driving day, and that's a good thing. Tomorrow we will visit a museum (assuming it's still open after the tornado) and a memorial, and drive no more than a few hours.

ADDENDUM: I wrote the above paragraph as we were heading to our hotel in Oklahoma City. Upon arrival, the hotel was clearly dark, although most hotels around it were fine. We were referred to a local hotel, but told that one maid needed to clean 147 rooms, and so we could get on a waiting list and perhaps wait a couple hours for a room. Holidayinnexpress.com listed availability at at Crown Plaza, but that turned out not be true. Hotels.com (by phone) was quite helpful and found us an Econolodge east of town that turned out to be perfect--nice shower, two queens plus a pullout couch. Cole had fallen asleep long before so we carried him in and put him to bed with his clothes on without disturbance. We finally were able to turn out the lights near midnight, after a very, very long day. I'm not sure if the parents can handle more days like this.

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Miles: 561
Highest Gas Price: $3.46/gallon
Low Temperature: 55 (St Louis, MO)
High Temperature: 82 (Tulsa, OK)

Conversation of the Day (by phone with Gabi at home in Minnesota):
K: Happy birthday, Gabi.
G: Thanks.
K: How old are you now?
G (after a pause): What did you say?
K: How old are you now?
G: I'm 5.
K: How does it feel to be five?
G: I still feel 4.

Geocaches Found: 21
New License Plate States Seen: 7 (ME ND NC KY TN AZ GA)
Projects Completed: 0

We learned we can't use our I-PASS in Oklahoma, even though we can use it in every other state east of Illinois.
We forgot walkie-talkies.

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Photos

Blue Whale of Catoosa
Hey, Mark! We found it.

Comments

[Joel Jackson]

Looks familiar...
This bridge looks surprisingly like our old Highway 99 bridge in St. Peter that is still in use.

[kengelha]

It does, doesn't it.