Missouri

What is big and square and flat and not-damp and very comfortable? A real, honest to goodness king size bed! Jeannette (a high school friend of mine from... well, we don't need to think about that) and her husband Don, treated us last night to an overnight in the bridal suite, no less, of a B&B in Amish country. Even gave us a nice bottle of Missouri wine that we're enjoying tonight. (There was noooo way I was going to let John open it last night - it was all I could do to haul John out of the Jacuzzi, he was so relaxed.) And, of course, we also got to enjoy their great company before they surprised us and took us to the B&B for the night.

Jeannette & Don joined us again for breakfast and then for a bit of antique shopping. Found a tomato knife (mislabeled as a small scoop) like the ones Jeannette & I used to use when we worked in our youth in the local tomato canning factory. THESE are definitely better days.


Trivia question with two hints - What author lived in the little house in the photo in Mansfield, MO? (We stopped to take a picture but escaped the tour.)

Decided to stop for lunch in Licking although it did take a bit of courage after passing the sign for the "Denture Mart". Had some GREAT fried okra, cornbread, blackberry cobbler at P & J's Cafe followed by GREAT indigestion.

On to St. Louis for a night with our friend Beni that we haven't seen for years. Of course, none of us have changed at all. Beni took us to this wonderful, eclectic bar called the Venice Cafe which is a "MUST go to" if you're in St. Louis. Gourmet Magazine even gave it one of their top 10 fun places to visit in the US in 1996 - they weren't wrong and the prices are VERY reasonable. That's Beni and me beside the Cafe's bus thinking we might be inspired to add a bit of paint to Rambo.

Jeannette & Don took us for Chinese food last night and Beni took us for Vietnamese food tonight. We're definitely starting to break from BBQ - YESSSSS!!!

Heading east again tomorrow. Where we'll land is any one's guess!

Trivia answer - Laura Ingalls Wilder "Little House" series