Day 5. Mile 750. Somewhere, mo

Very little of the original route 66 exists. Some places are completely
paved over. Others were left to rot and a new route 66 was built besides
them. I had the displeasure of riding through an original segment of the
route. Missouri route z, between somewhere and somewhere, was one of the
roughest roads I've ever ridden. At points I was gritting my teeth
because the shocks kept using my back as a reserve absorber. There were
patches, of course, but the patches made things worse. I am happy to
have passed through and now I'm sitting at a bbq place.

I didn't want to spend so much, but I saw the pit and the line and
decided that I needed to sample the best. I have ribs coming. Its ribs
of the ozarks. I waited a half hour for them. I'm now well rested and
ready to ride.

Next to me, an old hispanic nanny steals small smiles from me. She
glances my way every so often and winks. I wonder ehat she was like in
her youth. I think she was pretty.

I have eight hours to dark and I hope to be in wichita. Its been four
hours since I left and I've only covered 150 miles. Granted I've ridden
though some of missouris best, but I am not used to such a slow pace.

I am grateful to be able to do this. Everyone ought to ride 66.
~ I write with your life and my own ~