Day 46 - Sunday, July 4
Today marks the end of The Trail of Tears phase that began in Ellijay GA and ends for us in St. James MO. The Trail continues to Oklahoma where the Indians were given new land after the confiscation of their property in the east. We have travelled 500 miles on this route and enjoyed every bit of history even though the “trail” isn’t really a trail anymore!
Tomorrow will be a one hit wonder for us as we pass through St. James MO where Route 66 crosses through. From there we will head north towards the Santa Fe Trail in Booneville MO traveling through Lake Ozark to check it out and because we loved the show Ozark.
We are infested with ticks all the time. Today, Chris pulled a tick out of his beard. I got out of bed and had one crawling on my arm. Lucky is taking medecine for ticks but they don’t seem to mind the medecine or even the fact that he is radioactive from all of his chemo! As we lay to sleep our minds are going crazy with every sensation that it must be a tick on us…
The road today was tough on us. Lucky accompanied me for the first 15 miles with perfect terms of 60 degrees. We had no cell in Berryman MO yesterday and for the first part of the day but we finally got back to some coverage as we headed towards Steeleville, a very nice old town that was well preserved and still vibrant. Lucky bowed out as the temperature rose and the pavement became an oven.
The next leg almost broke me today. Prior to heading out I had a breakfast sandwich of egg, cheese, sausage on Texas toast but only had a coffee with it. I left with 2 x 20 oz. water bottles but with about 1,000 calories and 95 degree temps I didn’t have the hydration I needed and it was touch and go from mile 15 to 26 as i death marched on exposed roadway. When I finally met Chris I drank 84 ounces of fluid, elevated my legs and the sea monkey (me), came back to life to knock out the final 6 miles for a total of 33 today.
After a shower we headed into town and ate at Public House Brewery which had an awesome outdoor setup for adults and children as well as the kicker; dogs allowed outside AND inside. Lucky was super happy to join us for dinner.
All RV parks are fully booked for July 4th so once again we are boon-docking tonight. Lucky for us there is a golf course on the outskirts of town that is closed now for the 4th. We are sitting right on top of the 18th green with perfect views of the fireworks that will begin at 9:30pm. Sadly, I don’t think I will make it that long….
Thank you for your continued support -
Cheers,
David.
Pre-sunrise on the route from Berryman to St. James MO
One of the last Trail of Tears signs we will see on the trip. Shortly thereafter Lucky had a run in.
The sun finally rose but behind a grove of trees today.
Monica and I chatted on FaceTime and one of our other dogs - Red - got very excited to hear me talking to him.
This is what Missourians do most it seems - river activities; rafts, water holes, canoes or just hanging out.
We met Ladonna English along Route 8 heading towards Steeleville who has six children one of whom is also a traveler - she kindly gave Lucky water and treats.
Another tight road that Lucky hangs on the white line to avoid the blacktop which is much hotter.
Steelville is a really nice little town - lot of history.
And well preserved stores and buildings.
Heading out of the town and towards St. James it got really hot and I got into trouble.
Finally met Chris who was pulled over at this famous site - the Shelson Brinker house. Built in 1834 by Levi Snelson it was a campsite and gravesite during the Trail of Tears and preserved until vandals burned it down on July 4, 2017 - exactly 4 years ago.
After I crawled into the RV I had to lay down for a few minutes to collect myself before drinking 84 ounces of fluid to get back to kind of normal. Lucky goes on a hunger and thirst strike until both Chris and I are with him so he decided to start drinking once I lay down and doused me with water.
The sign marks the end of the line for us as we will not be heading to Oklahoma.
Our final stop of the day.
Caroline did a great job with service at Public House Brewery and we had some fun outside after the meal. Thanks!
Boon-docking in style on the 18th green.