Yesterday was our longest single day drive thus far (393 miles) from a little west of Omaha, Nebraska, down the western edge of Iowa, around Kansas City, then east into mid/eastern Missouri. We’re scheduled to begin our next “work-stop” next Monday just outside of Memphis on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River and we’ll make one more stop in route.
The trip was uneventful and we made good time, but that’s as far as I want to go in one day. Reflecting back we made a good choice of selecting the truck to pull this trailer. It easily keeps up with traffic, has plenty of additional power to pass when needed and with the dually rear wheels and long wheelbase is very stable in crosswinds. The upgrade of the trailer tires for the Goodyears G614’s with their higher weight and speed rating has also proved to be a wise choice.
We’re currently staying at Lazy Day Campground, Danville, MO, which is quiet and not very busy this week. The weather is the best part…clear and fall-like. The campground has one of the largest fenced dog parks we’ve found at any park and Maggie had a wonderful evening running and chasing her new Irish Setter friend, Daniel. He was still much a pup, at 17 months, but 7+ years old Maggie held her own and still has the legs to quickly chase down most dogs. She did sleep well last night. :-)
The photos I’ve included with this post are of the Holy Family Shrine in Grenta, Nebraska. It’s a hilltop location and grabs your attention if you’re driving on the nearby I-80, especially those traveling east-bound. As you can see, it’s a beautiful unique wood, stone and glass structure. Click the link if you’re interested in learning more about the shrine.
As many times as I’ve driven the route and seen the shrine up there you’d have thought I would at least stop ONCE! But I never have – next time I go through that area I’ll have to fix that little oversight!
Thanks for the great series on my favorite state, Earl!
John, we enjoyed our time in Nebraska and found it to be a beautiful state. We also found the most genuine and friendly people we’ve experienced anywhere. I’d like someday to spend more time and see western Nebraska. Do make that stop at this shrine the next time you have a chance. Thanks!
That is a beautiful looking building. Makes for a feeling of being outside but not. I am impressed with the creative talent and vision people have and then make it happen. And, good for Maggie!
It is a beautiful and very peaceful structure/location, Monte. Mans vision and creativeness can be pretty amazing at times. Thanks!
Wow, almost 400 miles pulling a big RV. That does seem like a lot of miles for you. We don’t do a whole lot more than that just driving our Jeep. Actually, we’ll be heading through Missouri (again) this coming Sunday on I-70. Not a bad drive except for going through St. Louis and Kansas City. Both are kind of “busy”. Speaking of busy, so is Memphis (one of my favorite places). I hope you don’t get too tied up in all of the truck traffic around there. I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis is terrible, although it doesn’t sound like you’ll be on that road.
Yea, it was a long day but we stopped at least every 2 hours for both Maggie and our sakes. We’re be leaving here tomorrow morning heading east making our way around St. Louis and then south on I-55. The good thing is that it will only be a 200 mile day and then we’ll hold up for a few more days. Our final destination is just off I-55 near Memphis. We we finished that job we’ll be heading to eastern NC…I’m hoping to plot a route that avoids I-40, maybe a small swing southward. I hate driving I-40 — always lots of traffic and the road condition is brutal in places.
Bonnie and I joke about some of the states we’ve been in that the signs you often see as you come into the state that read “Fasten you seat-belt…because it’s the law” would be more accurate and effective to read “Fasten your seat-belt…because our roads are so f-in’ rough!” :-)
Safe travels!