We made it to Kansas and Gruenbacher's not so little house on the prairie. Barb & Don and their kids Rosie, Peter, Joy & Antonio have made us so welcome. They have wonderful views in all directions from their home. The prairie is quite beautiful with some wildflowers that we have in the east and some we don't. The neighbor had just hayed the adjacent field into high round bales just to give the kids something to climb on we think.

Back in St. Charles, Connie & Roland and their daughter & grandkids waived goodbye to us around 11 this morning. The correct starter came in this morning for Tillie so she appeared ready to go. How was the drive? HOT, HOT, HOT! When the thermometer in the car registered 100 we hid it in the glove compartment. WINDY, WINDY, WINDY! Several times it felt like we were going to be blown off the road. In the middle of the heat and wind we stopped for gas and Tillie wouldn't start. Luckily we were on a hill so Mary & Patty didn't have to push in Missouri but something still seems to be wrong. (John & Peter who is 8 are working on problem right now.)

Other than that, Mary had her first Big Mac (and probably the only one we'll treat her to while she's with us.) And one of the things Barb gave her for dinner was cottage cheese (something else they don't get in France). Barb, following her mother Helen's example, also made us great chocolate chip/oatmeal/peanut butter cookies to keep us fortified on the road.

Patty has discovered the advantages of ear plugs. No, Frank, it's not that Mary talks too much. In fact, in spite of the new Quietpack 3 muffler system, conversation as we know it is not possible in Tillie.

Tomorrow we're off to see more of the prairie.