The Grand Avenue Inn in Carthage, a beautiful old Victorian B&B where we spent Tuesday night. By the way, the old Buick has been running perfectly the whole way. With the AC on and ambient temperatures over 100 degrees F every day, I've kept one eye on the temp gauge the whole time. It climbs up toward 22o pulling long hills but drops back to 205 on the flat which is all normal for an LS1. And since getting the hose fixed in Winslow AZ the AC has performed flawlessly.

Nice staircase leading to our rooms. You can get these banisters at Home Depot now.

Our room.

Jerilyn tried to get me to create a diversion so she could steal this writing bench.

The ladies relaxing in the front yard while Bob does the heavy lifting loading the car.

One of the many signs in and around Joplin offering encouragement to those impacted by the tornado.

Still open and operating on weekends.

The Whitehall Merchantile in Halltown MO.

The owner Mr. White, who still had almost half his teeth, using his most persuasive sales techniques on a hapless customer.

Wrink shows off her new sign.

Approaching the old iron bridge at Devils Elbow on the Little Piney Creek.

The Little Piney Creek from the bridge.

Don't miss the Elbow Inn right on the river next to the iron bridge. It's a biker bar that serves the best brisket sandwiches we'd ever had. Elbow Inn - locking elbows - clever!

The decorations on the ceiling had all been signed and according to the waitress, had all been worn into the bar. Bob's imagination is running wild.

One last stop before crossing the mighty Mississippi into Illinois where we spent the night.

Even with 8 service windows open the lines were impressive as was the custard.

The old Buick is like a people magnet. Everyone has a story to tell. I think if everyone drove old Buicks there would be no more war.

The St. Louis arch. If I get out voted, we'll start tomorrow by back tracking 10 miles in morning commute traffic first thing in the morning to see it up close. Wish me luck.