The first day of our third annual journey to the southwest, escaping Omaha's cold and dreary weather. Best intentions aside, we pushed off in our trusty blue chariot at 11:00 AM, fortified with luggage, a case of wine, a styrofoam cooler stuffed with chicken sandwiches, soda water, and a slew of grocery snacks.
Due to the weather forecast of an incoming ice/snow storm bearing down from the west, we headed due south towards Kansas City and warmer climes. We stopped for gas in St. Joseph and then continued onward through KCMO with no stops and followed I-29 towards Joplin. At Joplin we turned southwest on I-44 and headed towards Tulsa. Somewhere past Joplin (Butler, I think) we again paused for a pit stop at the town hub, a Casey's general store. As we were loaded back into the chariot and consulting our fold out map (we brought DeLorme books for every state but Missouri) we were approached by a seedy looking gentleman who knocked on my window. I rolled it down and he asked if we were perhaps headed south. Quick on my feet (although seated,) I lied. "Nope, sorry," I spat out as I rolled the window back up. We quickly left, heading south.
As we neared closer to Tulsa, the sun was setting, directly in front of our windshield. We stopped for additional fuel and another pit stop. Further discussion and consultation resulted in our setting a goal of Oklahoma City as our day's end destination. Deb booked a room at a Hilton Homewood Suites for the evening and we reached our goal around 7:30.
The weather had cleared and we arrived to a 63F temperature. Although it looked wonderful, a slight wind was very chilling. Apparently, the next day we would still be in winter clothing, postponing our sandals and shorts for another day.
The room was fine, large and comforting. We opened a bottle of our wine stash and enjoyed another of our sandwiches, some string cheese and crackers. We watched a little TV and went down for the count around 9:30. An uneventful and smooth beginning to our trip.
Happy Birthday to Abigail Jean, who turned 35 today. She is now one/half my age. Quite an accomplishment for both off us.
