We have been on the road for a week now! On our last rest day of the 3 nights and 2 days, in Branson, MO. Looking forward to putting some miles on the down the road. Time off to get laundry done, repairs made (if needed) and time to relax.
Yesterday (2017 September 22), we spent the day up at the College of the Ozarks (Hard Work U). Amazing Campus of 1400 students (K-12) with a Credited College as well ( www.cofo.edu ). Where the students here work their way through school. Pay no tuition (hence the moto ‘Hard Work U’), the school runs on donations.
(2017 September 21) We left from St Roberts, MO, home of Fort Leonard Wood (Fort Lost in the Woods). Another great sunrise in the morning. On the road with I believe heard 39 HMVs. Pasted several schools on our way to Branson, where the classes turned out to greet, wave as the Convoy navigated their town. In St James, MO, had a Veterans Home turned out to watch us go by. Than had a break at a Wal-Mart in Marshfield, MO. Lunch stop at ‘Lamberts Café’ ( www.throwedrolls.com ) near Ozark, MO. Bring CASH, no plastic can be used. As the website name says, Fresh Hot Dinner Rolls, thrown to you by guy moving a cart around the room. Then the 30 mile trek to Branson, MO down US-65. The Convoy gets a little spread out (about 3 miles), between catching lights and the hills of Missouri! But everyone caught up about 5 miles North of Branson. Good thing everyone had Radios.
(2017 September 20) Rolled out of Eureka, MO Six Flags theme park (Near St Louis). Lots of rolling hills, small towns and lots of warm welcomes. Lots of Route 66 we have been traveling on, the counties and townships are doing a great job of maintaining the road. But a lot of Route 66 tourist traps have not survive the pasting of time.
(2017 September 19) Departed Springfield, Illinois State Fair Grounds at 0700. Took us over an hour to maneuver through downtown, following Route 66 with no Police Escort. But once out of town we able to reform and move down the road. One of our morning Breaks was on ‘Dead Man’s Curve’. Heard interesting stories from the locals on this one. Our Lunch stop was in Atlanta, Illinois. They did put on a great Banquet Style Lunch. Proceeded on towards St Louis with a twist. The Convoy had been granted permission to cross the ‘Chain of Rocks Bridge’. There is a piece of history. The Convoy was asked not to enter the City of St Louis, due to the civil unrest going there. So, moved on to Interstate 270 to Interstate 44, during Rush Hour at 35 MPHs. I am sure we made a few friends. But nothing openly displayed. As we approached Six Flags, local Fired Dept. had Large Ensign flying from one of their Ladder Trucks. I do have stay, we have some great Mechanical Help in our Ranks. On this day, we had 6 or 7 recoveries of various Vehicles. Either the HMV was running when they were done or it was towed or on the Trailer to the night stop. No One is left behind!
So far, I am having a Great Time, making new Friends. Getting ideas what to do for the next Convoy.
