Oct 21...Today we left Memphis to travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Amazingly, we got the cheapest gas of our trip in Arkansas at a BP gas station for 2.59. To get to Arkansas on the back roads we had to pass a few short miles into the state of Mississippi. Gambling is allowed in Mississippi and the road is inundated with these giant billboards announcing everything going on . The most outstanding and funny was the one that said. "World Twinkie Eating Contest at Bally's Casino in Tunica, MS." We arrive in Arkansas late so tomorrow we will explore the city before we leave.
Oct 22...After breakfast we head for downtown Hot Springs. There are 2 things that make Hot Springs famous, one is the Bath Houses of the 1800's of which one is still in use. Most of the other bath houses are owned by the National Park System so we took a self guided tour of one. It was quite interesting to see how people of those day would come here for this experience of bathing in the Hot Springs which are thought to have healing properties. I drank some of the water. The second thing that makes Hot Springs famous is it is the home town of our 42nd President, Bill Clinton. We learn from a man in one of the stores we went into that Mr Clinton had been in Hot Springs the weekend before for his class reunion. Also, this man went to school with Bill Clinton so Arlen said let me shake the hand of someone whose has shook Bill Clinton's hand. On to McAlester,Oklahoma, a town we will spend the night to reach our next destination, Lawton.
Oct 23...We are in Oklahoma to specifically go to the towns that Arlen's Mother and Father were born in. We stop at Walmart in Ada, OK and a man says where are you from in California. After much conversation we find out his wife's family is in Roseville and they are here taking care of his parents. Then we stop at a Hallmark store to look for postcards and a really nice lady who was working helped us and told us about the area. So far the people in Oklahoma have been the friendliest. We head for Byers where Arlen's dad was born drive around a bit and drive to the cemetery and find some gravestones with the name Richardson. He takes some pictures for reference and then back to town to take some more pictures of the buildings. After that it is driving to Wynnewood his mother's birthplace. It is surprisingly a big town. He takes pictures of the town and then we leave to drive to Lawton to spend the night.
Oct24...Today we are headed for Texas. Along the way we see the sign that says "Cotton Picking Festival in Hollis, OK. We did see a lot of cotton fields. One of the restaurants along the way was the WOK AND ROLL, Arlen wanted me to include that has he thinks it's funny. When we finally cross into Texas there is a sign that says"Welcome to Texas, Drive friendly, the Texas way. It wasn't too much longer before we found out it was true. We stopped to make sure we were going the right direction and this truck driver pulls over to ask us if we need help. We reach our home for the night, Hereford, Texas. Arlen wants to get some wine so we go for a little walk to the local mini mart. We find out that beer and wine can only be sold no liquor but at "package shops". Yes that is what the sign says on the building. I look on yelp and find out right across the street is that package store as the mini mart only had beer. You can hardly tell it is a store, there is a painted screen in front of the door obstructing the view of the entrance. We go in,get the wine and while we are talking to the person at the counter about the liquor laws in Texas a car drives up to the window and hands the guy 3 packs of beer. Yes drive up liquor, wine and beer in Texas.
Oct 25...Albuquerque, New Mexico is where we are driving to today. The only memorable thing was this truck stop which had the biggest souvenir section we have ever seen. After we get settled in Albuquerque we head for Old Town. The Old Town of Albuquerque is a must see. It has a town square surrounded by shops, restaurants and an Old Church . We have dinner at a nice restaurant and head back to the room.
Oct 26,,. We are getting closer and closer to home. Today we leave Albuquerque to drive to Arizona. The skies are so blue with puffy clouds. The landscape is a mix of sage brush and other desert plants such as joshua trees and yucca. Our destination is Flagstaff and it takes most of the day. we are anxious to get there so we can watch the world series that starts at 5. It is windy and really quite cold so we have dinner and stay in the room watching the game. The closer we get to home the more we just want to get there.Tomorrow we leave to go to Las Vegas for 2 nights.
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