Holiday Inn Express Fort Smith, Ar

So the day started with a visit to the doctor to get a shot for Ethan. The poison ivy on his face from his hike through the woods was getting dangerously near his eyes. So we didn't leave Tupelo until almost lunchtime. Passed through Memphis, then crossed the Mississippi into Arkansas. We stopped in Alma. The campground here was a pretty scary place, like something from a Friday the 13th movie.

So so tired. Today was a reeeeeally long day. IT was a really stressful drive through the Ozarks in the rain and dark I was driving the car and Juan following in the truck. Tomorrow we pick up the trailer from Nancy's and then off to the QT farm to drop the trailer then drive to Dallas to return the car.

I was heading to Fort Smith because two of my friends who were recently married, Drew and Kelsey, live there and I was going to spend the weekend with them. Upon arrival I got directions to their apartment and biked the 60 blocks there, which was nice since I had been sitting on a bus for more than a day.

That evening two more of our friends, Luke and Jenna, arrived to ...

... the nice fellow manning the museum, they were named the Spiro Mounds because they (whoever 'they' are) thought Fort Coffee was too small to find on a map-- and since I only saw a few houses, maybe they're right! Anyway, Spiro it is. The mounds align in various ways to the solstice and equinox sunsets, and guided tours are provided for those events; otherwise, the museum and mounds are do-it-yourself. The ...

So for only the second time in my life, the tornado warnings were bad enough for me to lie in the bathtub. ("Lie" is actually accurate - I didn't cower or anything, just sat there cautious, but bored.) Around 7pm, the scary weather guys (I think they really get off on this stuff) were talking about golf-ball size hail, 100mph winds, and getting to your 'safe place'. Luckily, I'm familiar enough with the names of the towns to recognize the area*, and ...

Once you're past the construction south of Tahlequah, Hwy 82 and 64 to Sallisaw are hilly, curvy and beautiful. It was a windows-down, blues-on-the-iPod kind of drive (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Cummings, Neko Case). I had to bypass Spiro for now since the Indian Mounds were closed. Of course. I'm spending a few days in Poteau, happily. The Days Inn is very nice, and you can't beat a real (non-slinky) mattress every now and then! After a big lunch of veggies ...

... of the films and wild west movies were based, around sometimes partially true stories and most times fictional books, written about the wild west, was just a great discovery for the travellers. We left this State and city with a KOA planned for the overnight stop. We moved into Oklahoma and before long we settled into the KOA Park. Just great days travelling over this part of the country and enjoying the journey as we discover more places to possibly rediscover on a return trip.

Klein aber fein........... Nach 5 Stunden Fahrt durch den Regen sind wir am Ziel angekommen....etwas nass aber immer noch mit einer sehr guten Laune. Am Abend goennten wir uns ein saftiges Steak und typische Suedstaatenmusik in einer Bar.... natuerlich erst, nachdem wir ueber eine Stunde im Kaff umhergeirrt sind, und uns wegen des aufkommenden Regens (je) einen Regenschirm gekauft haben!!!! :-0 :-))))) CU Martin & Reto

... remembering where exactly we were... right smack dab in the middle of the bBiblebelt. It is jarring to hear the N* word brought up in common conversation. One last stop at Roosters bar on the way back home for the night. We had a quick drink, listened to some REALLY good karaoke and enjoyed the front balcony that looks over the main street. Fun tid bit: Upon entering this bar and flashing our out of state licenses we were asked to "sign in". Apparently if you are a private ...

... was rejecting the heat today and at a few stops for gas, decided to stutter on idle until we let it cool down for 15 minutes or so. Tomorrow we plan on stopping at a service station to have it checked out and will be headed North for a short hour and a half to our next destination; the Crescent Hotel. Take care, Tadd and Beth