Swaying palm trees...

Traveling across Missouri today.  You don't really expect to see palm trees in Missouri.

It was a lovely drive today, mostly wooded rolling hills...

We did come across this...

At first glance, it might look like a semi-trailer storage lot.  Nope, those are Coke Machines.  A LOT of Coke Machines.  Stacked two high.

We stopped for lunch at a Mickey D's...

Most of them don't have large vehicle parking, like this one - sure makes it convenient for RVers and truck drivers.  Yes, we deserved a break today.

We do share the road...

It was a 4-lane Federal Highway most of the way today.  You have to push 'em hard to get the horse and buggy up to 65 mph.  ;-)

We are getting an oil change and tires rotated tomorrow, so planned to be near the Ford dealer today.  We know this place: it is also where we bought our HitchHiker 5th wheel.  There are two RV parks nearby, we picked the closer...

It isn't fancy, but the price was reasonable, and did I mention: close?  Just across the road from where we will get service done.

Since we were in early, after taking Izzy for a walk, we took the Honda to gas up where we had stopped a half hour earlier with the motorhome... the price had gone up 16¢ per gallon.  Blame it on the hurricane.  Because they can.

One of the Tracker Marine manufacturing plants is nearby.  We called to see if they offer factory tours, but didn't get an answer.  It is close enough that we decided to stop and check.  From the highway, there is a big sign on the building - from the other side, no signage; not even on the door to their offices.  I went in.  Nope, they don't give tours.  The very nice young lady said it was because of "safety issues."  Almost every RV manufacturer gives tours.  Same with guitar makers.  Even big breweries.  Oh, well.

Close by Tracker Marine, I have seen this place several times when we've been in the area...

Yes, this place makes... tropical palm trees.  In Ozark, Missouri.  The guy in the shop was a delight and showed us around.  He sells these all over the country.  He said, "People often ask us: 'Why aren't you located in Florida?'  Think about it - they don't need palm trees in Florida.  We make them so people everywhere can enjoy them!"

One of his best sellers is a palm tree that is plumbed with a shower head high and low - "These are great by the pool or when you come off the beach!"  Smart.  Another great seller...

A hammock with the trees as supports.  These look good and they are virtually indestructible (made with steel liners inside).  My first thought was: no trimming!

;-)

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I visited with a neighbor today - she said our house and dock are fine; no hurricane related problems on our island, other than a few palm tree branches that blew down.  Ohhhh... (see the photos above).

Watching the situation around Houston unfold with the flooding is heart-wrenching; so many people have lost everything.  Besides cash donations, the Red Cross and Salvation Army can use all kinds of clothing.

We are going to stay in this area for a few days to see how things sort out in eastern Texas - that would be our route to head for home, but we will be watching the situation to see how best to get home in the next couple weeks.