Overcast skies and rain started the day today. I was hoping it would not stay that way for the entire days drive. The further west I went the better the weather got, then blue skies and sunshine until night-fall. It was a bit cold, 43 degees cold…well digger ass cold!

I planned the drive last night. I would take I-40 West to Nashville and from there take the old hwy 70 west. I think the 70 is the 2 lane road used to travel west until the I-40 replaced it. This detour was on purpose however, as my intent on this trip is to SEE the US not just drive across it. I was pretty sure that the scenery was not going to be nearly as interesting as yesterdays and though I was right, it was still a great drive.

I turned off I-40 as planed and got on to hwy 70. It was fuel time…the car gets pretty darn good mileage. Steve, I have decided to keep you guessing for another day. J There is something that I have discovered about the South; Southern hospitality does indeed exist.

The drive into Nashville happened while many were still on their way to work. So, when I fueled there were a number of people at the service station…fuel, coffee- the typical gas stations stuff. The difference is that everyone (I do mean everyone) says Thank you ma’am, yes sir, no ma’am, yes please and no thank you. Hey, I love California like everyone else, but damn, it sure is nice to see and do and we should all do more of it! The rumor about Southern food being great however, WRONG….the food sucks, until tonight, more on that in just a moment.

Hwy 70 finally brought me back to I-40 just west of Memphis. I was thinking about stopping and sayin’ hello to the old boy, not. Through Memphis and over the mighty Mississippi (always wanted to say that) and into Arkansas. Arkansas started of rather flat and ugly. It got better; much better. Andrew, I am starting to hear Banjos too man…pretty darn scary….

Getting hungry, I started looking for a restaurant again. I found one called “The South Park Restaurant” …no joke. I was going to take a picture of the place. I actually walked in, took a look at what was being served and left, I was NOT going to eat crappy food again…not today anyhow. Then I saw it…..a sign, in German. A Restaurant at a Swiss winery…could it be…REAL food??  I followed the sign to the Wiederkehr Winery and Restaurant, about 4 miles off I-40 in Altus Arkansas. A nice filet with béarnaise, German potatoes, green beans, fresh bread and a great cup of coffee; fantastic! Seems the Winery has been there since 1880 and is the oldest in the region.

The car? It hauls ass when you want or need it to…getting on the freeway is effortless, it pulls like a God damned train!

Steve….I just read that you believe you have broken the code…really? How? Enlighten us please….

Tonight, in the Ozarks, tomorrow…tune in J