Technically, this is Day 2 of my Western States Trek since I began in The Burg yesterday and drove north west to Charlotte. Easy drive. All the traffic was going south on I-95 or east on I-26. Arrived at Gray Moss Road just in time for excellent grilled steak, FB's famous vegetables in tin foil and a baked potato! Pre and post dinner cocktails of Crown accompanied several hours of delightful conversation with FB and Judy before I hit the sheets.I was a happy girl!
I am not certain who is more excited about this trek: FB or me.
Up bright-eyed and rarin' to go this morning, he and I set off in the 2015 Kia Sedona at 8:03 AM. We started to listen to Nelson DeMille's THE LION, but did last longer than 15 minutes. Two storytellers in one vehicle trading yarns, remembrances, tales and family moments - Poor Nelson's characters never had a chance! Perhaps tomorrow?
Minimal traffic. Superb weather conditions. No cops. Great driving day.
Only 2 hiccups - I neglected to bring map and tour book for Illinois, but, what the hey, we weren't in the Land of Lincoln long enough to miss the loss; regardless, we had my trusty cellphone and Google on the Sprint wireless network!! And I didn't bring the correct cord so I cannot connect my camera to my laptop! I really should upgrade to a wi-fi camera! OR I could just remember to pack what I need! There's a concept!!We stopped on the Cumberland Plateau for lunch at a huge truck stop, then were on our way.
Signs for the Beachaven Winery in Clarksville, TN drew us off the highway for a drop in and tasting. FB had one swallow of a red and promptly made his decision; I had to sample 4 before I chose a nice crisp white. This is a delightful establishment, celebrating its 30th year as a family owned winery, which (according to the young woman running it) makes it the longest-family-owned winery in Tennessee.
Back at the van, we talked about finding another winery but somehow we got distracted sharing stories of job debacles as well as successes. Then there were the intermittent, inevitable strolls down Memory Lane: Who remembers The Zeke? What about Bill's little john boat on Moose Pond? Or Ralph putting his head through that styrofoam Sailfish I bought from a advertisement for Kool cigarettes?We stopped at a Best Western Plus in (Are you ready for it?) Marion, IL for the night having driven 605 miles in comfortable sibling serenity. We sampled our wines, then headed for dinner at the (Hello, Letreze!) Cracker Barrel. Our only other option - a steakhouse, which neither of us felt would compare to last night's dinner.
Planning for tomorrow got a kind of a wrench when we discovered the Gateway Arch Museum in St. Louis is closed for a "significant renovation." Google search informed us this is the 3rd year of a 4 year expansion and development of the Arch area designed to enhance tourist-use. We were saddened that I won't be able to see the museum but pleased the Arch has become such a significant element of St. Louis sightseeing that this renovation is possible.
So, how to spend this extra day we've been given - we planning to tour wineries between St. Louis and Kansas City! Should be interesting.
No comments:
Post a Comment