August 31, part 1

We started the day today earlier than we would normally do on a vacation day, simply because we had to be sure to get as far as Springfield, Missouri before noon, when I needed to be on a conference call. So, we were up before 6:30 am and had hit the road by a quarter after seven. We made very good time from the start, so about 9:00 am we decided it would be safe to stop for breakfast. We pulled off the Interstate into Joplin, Missouri and drove down a street that appeared to be haven to all the world'd fast food restaurants...Denny's, Burger King, McDonald's, Arby's...you name it, it was there.

About the time we decided to give up, we saw Colonel's Pancake House, precisely the sort of place we like to explore. My wife had cherry pancakes and some sausage patties. I had corned beef hash with two eggs, over medium, and an enormous order of biscuits and gravy, precisely what my cardiologist would have ordered for me had he been along for the ride. The food was OK...not bad, but nothing special. Our middle-aged-plus waitress, who wore short-shorts, was very pleasant and friendly...and she had two huge tatoos, one on each calf, plus a few others that were only partially visible. Interesting, to say the least.

There's more to tell, but inasmuch as I'm keeping the lights on, I best plan to finish today's conversation another time. Once day I'll tell all about the ride through Oklahoma and Missouri, the llamas and kiwis, the nice tapas dinner at BARcelona in Clayton (St. Louis), consisting of gazpacho, alcachofas (crispy fried artichokes), queso de cabra al horno (the best!), tuna tartare with apples and caperberries, hot bread, etc. And, I'll tell about the turnpikes and the weather and the enormously long traffic tie-ups. Or maybe I already have.

Tomorrow, we'll see much more of St. Louis and environs...and I hope to take my second trip to the top of the famous arch, with camera in hand.