Hampton Inn whirlpools are overrated

Hello from Missouri, the "show me" state. The rolling hills are pretty, and the bare trees seemed to allow the sun to linger in the golden to pink sunset.

This morning, we watched the amber sky brighten going to Amber's house. Was that Regulas up on the tip of the quarter moon? We encountered heavy traffic until we got to downtown Dallas, and we were so thankful that we were not in the heavy traffic headed into Dallas from the north. The metroplex as extended beyond McKinney nowadays. wow. Green fields of early winter wheat did not appear until almost Oklahoma. A late breakfast in Denison at the C. Barrel and where I found a book for the grandchild up in Ohio. Amber waves of grain in Oklahoma---oats maybe, that they let go to seed? Amber waved at the amber waves of grain. And we had fun talking. Amber probably thought I talk too much.

We showed her the strange and getting-old McDonalds that stretches across the freeway in a huge arch at Venita, Oklahoma, and we made it to the Cracker Barrel in St. Robert near Fort Leonard Wood by 5:45pm, but the service was slow, and Amber and James went on to the Colonel's Bible Study. Bob and I have been checking out the rooms, and experimenting with the whirlpool. It is weak, and dangerously slippery. But, good for a thorough soak.

We have been given this gift of a day to visit with Amber and tell her little James stories. Bob is still trying to figure out how to work the tv. Amber will have her own hotel room tonight. Her own king size bed, and fancy whirlpool. James has to report for 7am practice in the morning, and the graduation was moved up to 9am. So after he turns in his room key, and transfers some stuff to the van, and signs some stuff, we will head back south. Back to Texas, and home. James needs to report on Sunday to Fort Sill. Housing may be a challenge, but he has ten days to find a place and get moved. Fun. Fun. And then his job begins after all the months and months of training.

I am thankful for safe travel on pretty good roads. Heavy trucks from Springfield, Missouri to Fort Leonard Wood where the roads are like a roller coaster... but, wonderful, clear fair weather.