The coolest thing in Missouri
What is a typical day like for the two of us, you're probably asking yourself. I know you are.
Here's sort of how it goes:
10:30 a.m.: Discuss where we're going to have dinner. ...
...For instance, my daughter's list is:
1) Anywhere that involves stopping.
2) Chinese food with big dumplings would be awesome.
3) Let's have one meal some place that doesn't have a children's menu.
10:53 a.m.: Compare states. For instance, why is Missouri the only state that has either an "adult store" or an "adult video store" at every exit on I-44? While New Mexico has green chile.
"Who knew New Mexico had value?" Gailor says. "I'm still not sure about Missouri. I'm not into the adult porn scene."
11:01 a.m.: Spot second Alaska !!!!!
11:02 a.m.: Listen to Jeff Buckley's cover of "Hallelujah."
11:08 a.m.: Discuss meaning of religious imagery in lyrics.
11:15 a.m.: Argue over whether two-reason rule for stopping is unfair. That is, there have to be two valid reasons and you can't make up one just because you need a pit stop.
11:23 a.m.: Eat Saltines from yesterday's soup.
11:28 a.m.: Practice beginning Spanish with Pimsleur language CD.
11:58 a.m.: Exit I-44 for a stop at Price Cutter for Cold-eeze, more tissues, more Advil, own personal saline nasal spray in response to incipient sore throat.
12:30 p.m.: Debate whether it's fair to blame one person for giving another person her cold.
12:38 p.m.: Discuss which is a more fatal flaw in a traveling companion: One who stays in the fast lane because switching back and forth is time- and gas-consuming or one who can't stop at the next exit because the one after it might have a better place to have lunch so you end up eating lunch at 3 p.m.
12:46 p.m.: Discuss whether you can say you've really had a cross-country America trip without stopping at least once at a DQ, a Waffle House, and a Cracker Barrel. Argue heatedly over whether Waffle House serves butter or margarine, and whether that is a valid deal breaker.
1:02 p.m.: Discuss the intentional fallacy and why it is no longer in vogue in literary criticism. Ha ha just kidding. Just wanted to see if you're still awake.
(Photo of the St. Louis arch rising into the mists on a rainy day -- incredibly more cool than you can imagine from pictures -- taken out of a moving car window and photo of barbecue place by me)
Comments
The Algonquin Round Table is alive (but on life support.)
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 4, 2008 10:24 AM
Brilliant.
Posted by: jl | April 4, 2008 10:30 AM
Oh boy!
My condolences to you :-)
. This is truly a sacrifice on your part and I hope she realizes that!
Just remember: "that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger."
Posted by: Susan | April 4, 2008 10:31 AM
Random thoughts --
It would appear that the final portion of your journey will be on Interstate 70. Just a reminder: from at least Hagerstown east, the exits are not peppered with rest stops (unlike say I81 in Virginia.) Plan accordingly.
Faithful members of the Sandbox will recall the several posting (of recent memory) discussing the larger vocabulary of English/American and the corresponding greater exactness of our speech, as against other languages. And yet what I most love about English is the way it can turn a perfectly clear and simple statement into something quite different than what the speaker meant. Case in point: Gailor - I'm not into the adult porn scene. So, if your interest is not in the adult segment of the porn industry, which segment does hold your interest? Just asking.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 4, 2008 10:56 AM
I don't know - how much of a sacrifice is it REALLY if you get to stop at Waffle House?
I'm serious. I truly love Waffle House.
Posted by: kitpollard | April 4, 2008 11:14 AM
When we did the trip, our rule was no fast food and no chains that were not local. That meant we could stop at Sonics and get curb-side service.
Posted by: Fairfax | April 4, 2008 11:27 AM
Having taken the same route you're traveling now as far as Albuquerque, here's another point to ponder: How is it you can travel hundreds of miles through the mid- and southwest and hit nary a toll road (I think there was one, in Oklahoma or Texas, between Indiana and New Mexico) but you can barely go 50 miles on I-95 between Baltimore and Boston without hitting another toll?
Since this is supposed to be a food/restaurant blog, let me add that the money spent on tolls could be spent on dinner.
Posted by: hungry eyes | April 4, 2008 11:32 AM
What, no update on Branson? Don't tell me you went to Missouri and passed by that cultural jewel.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | April 4, 2008 12:05 PM
Or Kansas City, my home town, which wasn't exactly on the way. We'll miss your take on barbecue!
Posted by: Kate Shatzkin | April 4, 2008 12:40 PM
OMG (not the Sandbox member) Texas and Branson in only a couple days. Only a world war could be worse.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 4, 2008 12:44 PM
If you're travelling on I-70 through Illinois & Indiana stop at one of the Steak & Shakes (local chains are OK, right?). They are wonderful. Best burgers, chili & Suzy-Q fries in the world.And cheap!
Kitpollard, I adore Waffle House, too. The only one around here seems to be in Belair, but I make it there once in a while.
Posted by: marym | April 4, 2008 3:58 PM
Are you familiar with the wonderful books of Jane and Michael Stern?
Posted by: DocChuck | April 4, 2008 4:50 PM
I've eaten at a Waffle House ... once.
But we were in W. Virginia, so whaddaya gonna do?
Posted by: Dahlink | April 4, 2008 6:03 PM
The first time I heard Jeff Buckley's cover of "Hallelujah" was on a schooner during a morning sail across the Sir Francis Drake channel from Tortola to Virgin Gorda. The cumulative effect of the song, the history of the place, the sun, the quiet, the gentle motion from riding on the waves (and maybe also the rum punch), was such that I actually started crying.
Probably not the same effect you get when you're in the car driving cross country with your mom. :) Still, EL listening to Buckley is kool.
Posted by: Only slightly off topic | April 4, 2008 7:30 PM
I guess pretty soon you're going to want to start playing "Six Days On The Road (and I'm gonna make it home tonight)"
Here's a You Tube entry of the Flying Burrito Brothers performing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQMJUhlxR3M
Posted by: Mr. Old Fart | April 4, 2008 9:33 PM
RtSO, I had exactly the same thought. Must mean I've spent too long hearing my girlfriend's law school stories..."What color is the ham in 'Green Eggs and Ham'?" Law professors have an interesting sense of humor.
Posted by: MountainBrit | April 5, 2008 8:41 AM
The Flying Burrito Brothers at Altamont with security provided by the Hells Angels. Well, wasn't that a well thought out idea. Hippies plus bikers plus LSD...what could go wrong?
I actually like the Flying Burrito Brothers, but they don't do a great cover of "Six Days on the Road." The best cover of that song in done by Taj Mahal, but I couldn't find any clips of that on YouTube.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | April 6, 2008 7:22 PM