Day 10 - Memphis, TN to Texarkana, AR

Days on the road: 10.
Miles today: 409.
Miles to date: 2442.


A very long day in the saddle today, dear readers. My morning was spent traveling South through the Mississippi delta with the mighty river out my right window. The low, flat land was filled with rich black soil. The elevated roadway allowed free sight lines and imbued an understanding of how just a few extra feet of water level could cause trouble (See Great Flood of 1927). I drove along the Blues Trail and couldn't help but feel the weight of history as I steered the little blue Audi around the many bends and curves that followed the river's wandering path. Alas, I encountered no cloven-hoofed man looking to bargain fame in exchange for my soul. I crossed the Mississippi and into Arkansas around mid-day.

Interesting visuals of the day included crop dusting planes in use and resting, 250-300 yd long metal irrigation rigs, dust devils in random fields, 1 brave turtle successfully (well, at last visual at least) crossing the highway, and 2 not so successful armadillos.

I feel as though I can admit this to you all: I broke and had chicken fried steak for lunch today at Sawyer's Steak House in lovely downtown Hamburg, AR (Pop. 3029). The lunch conversation went something like this:

Me: So, what do you suggest for lunch?
Sassy Southern Waitress: It's Thursday, darlin'. That means we got chicken fried steak, white gravy, dressing and brown gravy, mashed potatoes, baked corn, green beans and Baskin Robbins pie. You should have that 'cuz that's what we cooked.
Me: I see. I guess I'll go with that.
SSW: Well, the buffet's over there. Go help yourself.

After lunch:

SSW: You all done there, darlin'???
Me: Yes, that was quite the lunch.
SSW: I hope you saved room for Baskin Robbins pie?
Me: What is that?
SSW: Chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip in a graham cracker crust.
Me: Sounds delicious.

$8 dollars and at least 4 years off of my life. Totally worth it. Those would have been less than optimal years anyway.

With the chicken fried steak sitting in my stomach like a so much radiation blocking lead liner, I was not at my sharpest and missed a turn, ending up in Louisiana. Not part of the plan. Fortunately, I noticed my navigation error quickly and avoided any "Deliverance"-like rural incidents. After my 30 mile error, sailing was smooth and my shot across Arkansas concluded. Let me explain the state to you this way: AR started as delta farmland in the East, and heading West turned to forest and many logging trucks, then horse country, then cattle country, and finally I saw my first few oil wells.

Could be some severe weather tomorrow....