Day 2: Shawnee, OK

Far left: Oklahoma Visitor's Center

Funny sign in Memphis: "Parking Can Be Fun"???

At the New Orleans Restaurant in Memphis: OUTSTANDING FOOD!!!

Today we hit five states. Ben took a picture of me in Mississippi just because I looked so appropriate in my Spittoono shirt. It would have looked fine in Alabammer too. Memphis was the hottest place I've ever been in my life, and we were the only tourists in town. However, a lady from the Chamber of Commerce recommended a place on Front Street (Orleans), where they served the two of us the best meal we've had in weeks. We're glad to have made it almost to Oklahoma City, our goal, and plan on making it to Santa Fe tomorrow. We'll slow down there to enjoy the scenery...Star

If one thing stood out today, it was the people we met. When they find out our story, they immediately seem to open up to us. For all the bad things you see in today's media about people, it's obvious that the vast majority of Americans are wonderful people.

Since we are short on time, here's a list of things I found interesting on our Day 2 trip...

*The 8 different crop dusters flying daring feats of acrobatics across Arkansas.

*The young man from Mississippi that stopped to talk to us about our trip

*The lady from the Memphis Chamber of Commerce who stopped us on the sidewalk and offered help

*The birds of prey constantly over our heads through the Ozarks

*The surprising beauty of rural Oklahoma (not at all what I expected), and the unbelievable sunset between Fort Smith and Oklahoma City.

*The rounded knolls of the Ozarks and the fabulous, almost deserted Highway 78.

*The woman in our hotel who travelled and spent the night with 2(!) sheep dogs. Wish Miller could have been around to meet her.

We covered 630 miles yesterday, and are headed to Santa Fe tonight. We already have a reservation, and about 600 more miles to cover. Once we get there, our plan is to start slowing down and enjoying the trip through New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

We love you all...Ben