2nd leg: 364 miles.
total: 886 miles.
We spent a leisurely morning enjoying coffee and splurging on the last of the sweet butter cake from Gooey Louie. Jeff left early so we missed saying goodbye -- a friend's sister had been killed in a car accident the day before and he wanted to be there to lend him support. So, we spent our last few hours in St. Louis in idle chit-chat with Melissa -- not a bad way to end our St. Louis leg.
Eventually we had to say goodbye to Melissa and the Loaney home. We packed the car, confirmed our directions to get back to I-55 and hit the road.
From I-55 we exited at Festus, MO on to US 67 which would take us all the way to Little Rock. With the exception of about 50 miles between Poplar Bluff, MO and Pocahontas, AR, the road was four-lane and in good condition. In fact, once in Arkansas we were informed that US 67 was the route of the future I-57.
Traveling through Missouri we were amazed at the beautiful scenery and rolling hills; our drive took us in and out of the Mark Twain National Forest. Once in Arkansas, though, the land turned as flat as Illinois and we passed quite a few fields that were under water. Indeed, we noticed not a few buildings built up on concrete piers and stilts.
We arrived at our hotel in Little Rock about 4pm and settled in for the night. The hotel offered a Happy Hour from 6-8pm of $1 beers we took advantage of that opportunity to quaff down a local brew called Diamond Bear. And we had no idea they once mined diamonds in Arkansas!
That evening we drove about 5 minutes to Aji Ramen Bar where we enjoyed a pair of delicious chicken rice bowls. Scrumptious!
Next it's off to Natchitoches, LA and Mr. Ed Lane to celebrate my 71st birthday so stay tuned!
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