Final Leg of the 13-State Tour

After we left St. Louis we drove west through southern Missouri encountering some really heavy rainstorms, the result of Hurricane Gustave which had hit New Orleans Labor Day weekend. We never see rains like this in California! We were probably lucky that there wasn't thunder and lightning, or tornado warnings.
We stayed the night in Rolla, MO and drove on to Carthage the next morning. We probably could have spent more time in Rolla and Carthage, but were anxious to get to Bella Vista, Arkansas where we planned to spend a few days with the Husband's cousin and his wife. They have a very nice house in a wooded area. When you look out the windows, it feels like you are in the middle of a forest, with no other houses around.


Bentonville, AR, home of Walmart. Bella Vista is in Benton County, so we had to make the trip to see where it all started. The building behind the Husband is actually a museum.

Later this day we managed to visit a yarn shop and two quilt shops. I enhanced both my yarn and fabric stashes considerably. Pictures will be displayed someday soon.

Then we all went to The Hungry Flea to satisfy the Husband's cravings for catfish. I have never been a fan of fresh-water fish, so I chose chicken-fried steak. Pretty darn good!

Saturday morning we were on the road again, this time headed home on Interstate 40. I had planned to stop at Clanton's in Vinita, OK for some more chicken-fried steak. Jane and Michael Stern say it's the best ever. Unfortunately, we arrived there at 10am; fortunately, they serve chicken-fried steak and eggs, so that's what we had. We didn't have the nerve to ask for Coconut pie that early so I guess we'll just have to go back next year. I don't know if if the Chicken-fried steak is really the best but, if not, it's pretty close. I probably should keep testing, just to make sure.



Interstate 40 runs with or near Route 66 for most of its length west of Oklahoma City. We had thought about trying to stay with Route 66 but the call of home was too strong and we just wanted to get back to California as quickly as possible. Maybe another trip.

We ate breakfast at this cafe in Santa Rosa NM, mainly because the guidebook said it dated from the glory days of Route 66. The meal was good but pretty much like any other breakfast.


That afternoon I managed to talk the Husband into stopping at Old Town in Albuquerque. The church of San Felipe de Neri was founded in 1706, although the current church building was not erected until 1793. It is on the Square and has a lovely little walled garden to the side.







We ran into some weather in Western Arizona. We could see this rain miles away and then we drove into it. We were hoping the clouds would last through the California desert, but no such luck. It was 105 to 107 the whole way between Needles and Barstow.













Needles, CA and the highest gas price we paid the entire trip.