Wednesday morning, before dawn, I scraped ice from the windshield and started the long trek southwest to Arizona. The only good thing about the freezing rain was, I knew I was leaving it for 4 months! Those of you who have followed my travels over the years know that I always look for a sign from a bird(s) as my good luck omen - he was there! Just past Brockville a huge barn owl sat perched on the fence back to the road but head swivelled so his unblinking eyes could survey the traffic. The weather cleared and I made record time to Ohio and went beyond my usual stop another 65 miles. The day was grey, grey skies, grey road and snow that was less than white (grey) but this meant no glare and the driving was easy on my eyes. I settled for less than the best accommodation and did not have internet.
Today, I wandered west and south through St. Louis, always in admiration of the Arch. The thing about the first part of the journey is it is much of the same over and over again, grey roads and scattered rest stops so to break the boring ride, I played my new CD of Rene Fleming that Santa tucked in my stocking and before I knew it I was in the Ozarks. It happens so quickly that one is not prepared for the panoramic views on all sides. Even with the dull of winter, nothing can make those hills less stunning. Ever wonder where the Canada geese go in winter? Thousands filled the sky like a black cloud just past Terre Haute, truly awesome. Traffic was solid but moving well and I got caught only once in a truck tunnel. God, I hate it when you are wedged between those towering demons of the roads. I am now hunkered down after another scenic change to the mid west plains of open fields and the beginning of high skies. Bailey and I wandered around our hotel in Joplin, me in shirt sleeves, she in sniffing mode. Tomorrow we are off to wander down to the I40 and points west. Do check in again and leave me your comments.
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