In Transit, Part I

I've spent three days on the road and driven more than 1600 miles. I have been in seven different states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming. And I had dinner in Nebraska.

Mississippi and Tennessee: Nothing much new. I've made this drive hundreds of times. The difference this time was that I crossed the Mississippi Bridge into Arkansas.

Hwy 6, Mississippi

I55 in Mississippi

Arkansas: I55 in Arkansas is long, dull, and boring.

I55 in Arkansas

Landscape in Arkansas

Missouri: I spent the bulk of Sunday driving through Missouri. You know you've driven from Arkansas to Missouri because you begin seeing Adult Entertainment billboards. They are often flanked by fireworks and Love Jesus signs.

"Adult Entertainment" is never far away in southern Missouri

The Missouri bootheel is dull and boring. And flat. When you get into Saint Genevieve it begins to get hilly and interesting. Hwy 61 (revisited) north of Saint Louis is slightly hilly but nothing spectacular. Of course, right before you cross the border into Iowa there is a large fireworks superstore. Fireworks are illegal in Iowa.

I55 in the Saint Genevieve/Saint Louis area

Last chance for fireworks before you enter Iowa

Welcome to Iowa

Iowa: Hwy 27 and then Hwy 218. When I crossed into Iowa I got excited. This is when I began to realize I as moving, that I had left Mississippi for good. I stopped at a gas station shortly before Mount Vernon. First thing I noticed: the smell of cow shit. It's spring in Iowa.

The cats traveled well--much better than I could have asked. Although, right now, they are hiding under a bed in our hotel room.