Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Rest area near Conway, Missouri

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 – Location: Conway rest area in Missouri

Had a great night’s sleep again last night.  There were thunderstorms and rain most of the night, so poor Yuma spent some time on the hallway floor.  For some reason, I woke up at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep.  It was quite warm and I had the window open.  Too early for the Grackles.  Caught up on some blogs and checked the weather forecast for the Ardmore area.  Looked like there was going to be a lull in the rain for the next hour or so.

I decided not to just lay around and get up and go.  So, at 5:30 while it was still pitch dark out, we headed out.  Thank goodness for GPS.  I decided to not go directly up to Oklahoma City and catch I-44 East.  Instead, I took the backroads north to the east and caught I-44 at Stroud, Oklahoma.

Missed all the OKC traffic and also saved a few bucks on the toll fee.  Because it was dark I depended on my phone GPS to guide me through the maize of backroads up to Stroud.  No problems and I remembered to fill up with gasoline before getting on the I-44 toll road.

When I arrived in Tulsa, for some reason my GPS directed me west on I-44 instead of east.  I caught the problem quickly and exited and turned around to the east.  Decided to just turn the GPS off and follow the signs since it was now light outside.  Of course, this is about the time the rain started coming down.  I had been lucky and it didn’t rain while it was dark.

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Ended up four hours later at 10:30 in Joplin, Missouri before I stopped for breakfast.  For some reason, I just can’t slow down and relax when it comes to driving.  Especially, if I have a destination in mind.   Of course, it rained the whole time from Tulsa to Joplin.  Luckily, I was on the interstate so wasn’t bad.

IMG_4074I took an hour break and fed Yuma and I had my breakfast.  Looking at the maps, I decided to go two more hours and spend the night at the Walmart in Lebanon, Missouri.  I’ve spent the night there a number of times before.  That’s where I stop the first night on the road from Bloomington.

However, as I was approaching Lebanon, I saw a sign saying Missouri Rest Area.  I remembered that George and Suzie (Our Awesome Travels) had spent the night there and said it was a nice place.  Pulled in around 3 o’clock and shut down for the day.  Traveled about 280 miles today.  I have another 260 miles left.

Didn’t sleep, but spent the next few hours laying on the bed resting with Yuma.  Had to turn the Wave heater on.  It is 46 degrees here and spitting rain so I had to change from my shorts to long pants and put on a sweatshirt.  I guess shorts are done for awhile.

Decided to put the local TV antenna up and watch the local Springfield news and weather.  Lots of flooding south of here in the Ozarks.  Looks like most of the rain is staying to the south and should be out of here by morning.  They’re calling for fog, so may not get an early start tomorrow.

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Now I’m watching NCIS and just relaxing.  After I publish this post, I will fix dinner and watch a little more TV before calling it a night.  Should be tired enough not to wake up at 4:30 in the morning.  I’m excited about arriving home tomorrow.  I’m sure Fergie will just love to see Yuma again.

See you later.

22 comments:

  1. You certainly got an early start! I'm glad you had no problems navigating in the rain and dark. I think Fergie knows Yuma is on his way, since she threw up this morning. 😀 Have a good night, drive safely and we'll see you tomorrow. ❤

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    1. Will do. Be glad to get home. Fergie can't wait for Yuma I bet😂. Good night. Lutoo ❤

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  2. Like Dolly said don't overdo it, Drive Safely and Enjoy being Home tomorrow.

    It's about time.

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  3. Well it's been nice reading about all your adventures and seeing all the great pictures! Beautiful country out west! Safe travels and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Take care Dad. Love you.

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    1. Thanks Steve. Will be glad to get home. See you tomorrow. Love you.

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  4. Homeward bound - hope you and Yuma have smooth sailing !! 🌞🐦🎂🐕🌷😎

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    1. Thanks Moonfly. Looking forward to the last leg of the journey. Hate the long drive home. Wish I would take more time, but just can't seem to do it.

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  5. Safe travels tomorrow as you and Yuma travel the last leg of your trek home. I am guessing everyone there will be very happy to see you two back safe and sound.

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    1. Thanks Deb. Looking forward to getting home today. Hope the family is glad to see me. :)

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  6. Safe travels Doug. Hope the weather cooperates and gives you a nice welcome-home day.
    BTW, great pictures of Carlsbad Caverns. I'm way behind in blog reading.

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    1. Thanks, Dave. I'll be glad to get this last day over and get home.

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  7. I know what you mean by not being able to slow down when you have a destination in mind and it seems to mainly happen while either going to or coming home from the Southwest. Always a great feeling arriving at either one of those destinations and especially the coming home one for some of us who are finally having to come to grips with the reality of this darn aging thing...........

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    1. You're right Al. Just always seem to be in a hurry both ways. Maybe now I won't have to take so many Tylenol to keep my joints working now that I'm home and not hiking up and down mountains.

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  8. You had a good travel day, and hope you enjoyed that rest area it worked well for us, safe travels today on the last leg of your journey.

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  9. Safe travels. Glad you and Yuma had such a great winter.

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    1. Thanks Deb. We had a great time. Glad Yuma and I could spend some time with you and Riley. It was fun. Don't think we'll forget the trek up the Apache Trail anytime soon. :)

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  10. You’re really starting to know your way around those parts! I always love being up in the morning before anyone else. It seems that it suited you yesterday morning as well. Can’t wait to see you tonight! Drive safely in the rain! I love you!

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    1. Thanks Sarah. Not often I get up that early. See you tonight. Love you.

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  11. You really had a great idea, getting up early and going even if it wasn't planned that way. You will be home now and Dolly and family will be happy to see both of you.
    We have travelled through those places today, still on the road with half hour left before we stop in Effingham. Long day but a good day. Only light rain now for an hour or so. You've taken some awesome hikes and had a great winter.

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    1. It was a little scary driving in the dark and rain on roads that I'm not familiar with. Won't do that again, but glad I made the miles. Got me back on schedule to get home. Have a safe journey home. Enjoyed your comments and getting to know you and Bill better through your blog.

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