Day Sixteen: The Longest Day

We set on on day sixteen with the end mark of Louisville where my friend Anne will put up with us for a couple days; this was my most ambitious millage gain of the journey. It turns out the Western part of Kansas is beautiful and holds the most vibrant colors of the leaf season so far.

I think about how Kansas is that kid in school that everyone says is boring and no one ever wants to go to their house because it is out in the middle of no where and is beige; but that is just because no one has ever taken the time to get to know them. I vow to always get to know the Kansas' of the world. Not only are the Flint Hills beautiful but the Wizard also makes wine.

Kansas City is the longest city to drive through; you are never quite sure when you are done or when you are in which state, Kansas or Missouri. Once confirmed that we are in Missouri we haul it as half our day is gone but only a third of our miles. Darkness has arrived when we hit St. Louis and there is a half second reminder of what is going on in the world when we pass Busch Stadium at the start of Game 7. I am in fast moving traffic with Spaghetti Junction like overpasses coming at me and going away from me. But I am determined to get a picture. The camera sits on the passenger side at the ready at all times but sometimes it is stuck on movie mode and this is one of those times.

My friend Anne calls and she could care less that I just passed Busch Stadium at the start of game 7. Her and her gay Mennonite clinical psychologist friend Christopher chat nothing back and forth with me until mercifully my gas light comes on. They started drinking wine hours before.

The last fill up gets me to Louisville only after Illinois and Indiana give us little trouble but a slower speed limit.

Once I arrive at Anne's she shows me to the animal room and lets me know this is where I will be staying. OK, well at least it isn't $89.99. After an hour of messing with the broken air mattress I make my bed on the hardwood floor among the floats of her dog and cats long black hair. I briefly wonder why I wasn't offered the love seat in the living room but I am too tired to care at this point.

Recipes: I can't remember if we ate this day or not to be honest with you...

Roadtrips: Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky...that was quite a stretch!

Renovations: Just when you think you are too good for the floor; you are reminded you are not!