Post-GONE: Day 3

Today was a long day of driving on twisty roads. For over 8 hours I was in the driver’s seat twisting myself through the hills of Southern Missouri. Like yesterday the roads were quite well maintained and undulated through the hills. Unlike yesterday, there were no detours!

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For the most part the roads were clear of other drivers, not too surprising since I was in the middle of nowhere, but there were a couple of other cars that were a pain. I finally found something I dislike more than left lane campers… the “I’m going to speed-up now that you are trying to pass me” people! Just because you are driving the speed limit now, doesn’t mean that you were 5 minutes ago or that you will be for the next 25 miles. I didn’t want to just blast past you at full throttle (that would be rude), but why do you feel the need to speed-up just as I get along side of you? Thankfully my car has no problem passing even the most stubborn driver.

The landscape of Missouri was covered quite densely with a forest of leafy trees. I think some of them are beginning to change colors, but I can only imagine what this area will look like in a couple of weeks.

I have to say that the biggest surprise for the day were the animals. I was driving along, just cresting a hill, when out of no where there was a small object in the middle of my lane. It looked like a rock, but was a bit too symmetrical… it was a turtle! Seriously, WTF is a turtle doing in the middle of the road? (insert corny joke with an answer having something to do with a chicken) It was too late to adjust course, so under my car it went… fortunately it made it out the back without making any contact. A few miles farther down the road I spotted another turtle off to the side of the road. I guess that’s one reason not to have a slammed car when you live in Missouri!

Unfortunately, later in the day a squirrel didn’t fair the same as the turtle. I was driving in the twisties and the road was wet. As I crested a hill, mid-corner, I see the squirrel dart out into the center of the road… stop… turn around… stop… and then run directly into my lane. It was too late to slow down or swerve without sliding off the road, so… without regret… I stayed my line. I always hate it when I can’t avoid a critter on the road, but I’m not going to veer off the road (risking my life) for a squirrel. Hopefully this will be the only time I have to make this decision this trip.

On a happier note, the rain stayed away for almost the entire day. Earlier in the morning it looked to have rain in some places, but most roads were starting to dry-out by the time I drove through them. The roads were fairly grippy and I was able to push quite hard through the turns… the banking on all the corners didn’t hurt.

With about 2 hours left before I reached my hotel I started to get a little tired of driving. Yes, it happens! I pushed through and made it to my hotel (after grabbing some dinner) just before a large thunderstorm passed through the area.

Tomorrow the weather is looking good in the morning, but there might be some rain later in the day. Hopefully it will stay away long enough for me to have some fun!