July 4

Fair Grove, MO to Houston, MO

82 / 2527

The rain has cleared up for the Forth of July. In Marshfield, I grab breakfast at a cafe where the Casey Anthony trial blasts on TV. On my way out of town I spot a Delorean and then a parade....

 After watching the parade for a bit I ride on. Moments later, I get a call from Claudia. She wants to know if I can make it to Houston today. If I do, she'll drive up from Memphis with Bekky. Cool! It'll be 82 miles, my third longest ride of the whole trip.

Today's ride was really pretty and I took lots of pictures...

 I did end up crossing paths with horse and buggy travelers a few times in Missouri

One of several "Boo Radley" style houses I stopped to admire on this trip...

 At this spot I hit the 2500 mile mark

 This area is really remote! I see a car every now and then but otherwise it's just me and the bugs. Funny thing out here in Missouri : seems like nearly every car or truck is red. The houses out here are far and few between and they vary in their quality and health code compliance. Some places look really grand and others are held together with twine and plastic tarps.

California Roll : Yum!
Missouri Roll : Moo!

 Around here is the town of Ben Davis. The gas stop is closed but they've got a water spout so I refill my bottles. A half mile away I take a swig and spit it out quick. The water tastes like sulfur and metal- yuck!

The road to success is just outside of Houston, MO...

I reach Houston as the sun sets behind thunder clouds. As I turn into town I spot Claudia walking toward the highway. Yeah! It's super surreal being together after being apart for so long! Claudia, Bekky and I have a really nice time at dinner and later watch fireworks blast among the flash and boom of a lightning storm. Being in a car is totally weird! We roll along at 40 mph and I'm gripping the arm rest like an old nervous fart - everything is moving so fast!