Maybe that will make sense as you read this, or not.

We drove into Independence in fair weather with threat of rain. We stayed at Autumn Falls on US 40. the most it has to say for itself is it is almost level, it had a spot for us and the services worked. On US 40 fairly describes the spot we stayed in, a rest area might not have been as close. Dinner Thursday night with Dianne and Marty at Jax Fish House was superb and so was the company. We made it back to the coach and fell asleep, well I did anyhow. Friday we fussed around in the coach until after lunch then we rejoined Marty and Dianne at their house for conversation, a walk and a light dinner, a blessing after after the previous nights large meal. Saturday found us worshiping in a wonderful public market where we stocked up on supplies for the future. Then we gathered again with Dianne and Marty to talk some more and prepare some wonderful Alaskan Halibut we had picked up on a trip to Whole Foods. The rains began in earnest during dinner on the deck, being well prepared, Marty unfurled a gigantic umbrella that covered the table and seating area. We finished dinner and adjourned to the house for dessert.

We drove back to the coach in the rain and managed to find a brief moment between waves of rain to get into the coach almost dry. We were just settling down when we heard sirens. We had just been talking about the tornado sirens and this seemed ominous. Turning on local TV we found all channels broadcasting direct weather reports and localizing the threats. And it rained. And the wind blew. And we were assured that the storm was to our north and east and going in that direction. We fell asleep to the sound of the rain.

We headed south to Bentonville AR the home of WalMart World Headquarters, the WalMart Museum and most importantly Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. I suggest you follow the link for more information about this museum which was created by Alice Walton to house a very broad collection of art, not all of it is American by any means, and to introduce grade school children to the idea of a museum of art, over 50,000 children a year with transportation, admission and food covered by the Walton Foundation. Admission for all is free.There was a charge for Vangogh to Rothko, waived for National Museum Day, fortunately for us. As I turned into the special exhibit hall I was stunned to find myself staring at the Jackson Pollock that I am so familiar with from the Albright-Knox Museum in Buffalo. Then I remembered reading that there was a major touring exhibit of pieces from there and we had run into it in a place so far off our normal paths. We had a nice lunch at Eleven (the name of the cafe) and resumed our tour and it began to rain. It rained and it poured. In most galleries this would not be an issue, but Crystal Bridges, designed by Moshe Safdie, is made up of several units not all of which have indoor connections. By the time we had run out of energy, both physical and mental, the rain had stopped and we could find our way first to the gift shop and thence to the Jeep and on to The Walmart Museum which is an ode to Mr Sam and a replay of the timeline of the company from a single Ben Franklin Store to the mighty giant it is today. Although there are several other industries in Bentonville, WalMart is indeed the big dog with four stores, one exclusively for Associates and all the ancillary departments necessary to oversea the worldwide operations.

Replica of Sam Walton’s truck in front of the Museum, the original truck is inside.

Soon we were back in Prairie Creek Park – hmm – from Prairie Village KS to Prairie Creek Park AR where it wasn’t raining. We began preparations for departure. I failed to describe this park experience when we got here so I’ll insert it now. There was no one at the gate to greet us so we found our own way into the campground without even a usable map. Most of the sites were most unsuitable for our 36 foot motorhome, either to short, too narrow or impossible to get into. We found a site that was reserved for Memorial Day Weekend which was of no matter to us, I saw a way to maneuver onto it with Carol at the wheel and me giving ground guidance. It wasn’t quite as level as we prefer, but we got close enough. There was no one to take our money the next day, when we left for the day, nor when we returned. Finally as we were departing the booth opened and we were the first customers of the brand new volunteer couple manning the booth. They took our money and we left for a long drive through the Ozarks. At one point our GPS – actually the on board GPS and Google Maps – suggested that the route should go down County Route 98. I was doubtful, but Carol began the turn and as we were fully committed there was a sign, “Historic Bridge, Limited Height and Weight Restrictions”. There was no height stated nor was there a maximum weight posted and there was no place to turn anyhow. Quick online research turned up no more information than that it was a one lane bridge, not good. As we got within a 1/4 mile a new sign informed  us the maximum height was 10’6″ and I was in no position to question the number. I left Carol and the coach blocking the road and walked ahead to survey the options. There were no good ones. The bridge deck was wood plank and we could not clear the overhead in any event. There was a field to our left that seemed to be set up for fair parking and I walked in and found a route through the field for the coach to turn around without disconnecting the Jeep and without sinking in up to the axles. After this jaunt I became more determined than ever to explore every route with Google Earth before committing to any more unknown back roads.