On another gorgeous day, down scenic Missouri 79. Some great river views and curvy roads too. Others like to go fast on the straight stretches, but I try to stay about 5 mph over the speed limit whether it is 60 or 30. I rely on curves with only advisory speeds for my kicks. This prudence saved me and the people behind me, because the state police had set a trap in a 30 mph zone in some small town (population 100 or so).

Then the Winfield ferry across the Missisippi to Batchtown in Calhoun County. Calhoun County, in between the Missisippi and Illinois rivers, is mainly reachable by ferry. So it is quiet and relatively undisturbed. From the ferry going north to Batchtown, you have a great twisty, narrow, road through the trees. It is hard to go fast, though, if you do not know the road, since the trees block all sight of the road in front of you. Still, I was getting ready to teach a lesson to the annoying sedan behind me when I almost got an opposing car in my nose. This car was using my lane. To be precise, there is no center marking, and this road is just about wide enough for what would be about a single lane on an Interstate, so the concept of "lane" is somewhat academic. But he was definitely far left of the center and going fast. He swerved back to his half, leaving me to pass in one piece and mop the brow.

Then the Brussels Ferry to Grafton, followed by what may be the most scenic part of the Great River Road. Yellow sand stone bluffs next to a shining Missisippi under a blue sky. No place to park the car and take a picture, though.

Ironically, this beauty is immediately followed by the ugly urban sprawl of the St. Louis area. Here I committed a shameful act. I actually went willingly on the Interstate. Yes, it is a hideous thing to do. But I am running out of time, and there are still scenic roads in Tennessee and Alabama to be explored. And I have seen the part of the Great River Road below St. Louis before. And I have seen St. Louis twice. So, up windows, up Oris, on A/C, on cruise control, on sunglasses and false beard.

As an act of atonement for this low point in my life, I washed Bozo after I stopped in Metropolis, IL, for the night. And as a lasting warning to future Miata owners. I also took a picture of the giant statue of Superman they have here. They do have a sense of humor here: the supermarkets do not sell beer or wine. But when I stopped at the only liquor store, they only sell hard liquor.

Pictures (click for larger size):