Genie and I got up Monday, March 20, the first day of spring, and checked the weather forecast, “Snow and or rain every day this week.” We looked at each other. Genie said, “I’ve got an idea on how to change the forecast. Let me do some checking.”
About an hour later Genie said, “It’s all arranged. We’re going visiting to Cousin Sandy in Harrison, Arkansas early tomorrow morning for a week, leaving by 9 a.m. tomorrow. Get the car gassed up, washed and ready to go.”
Me being an obedient hubby, we were on the road by 9 a.m. March 21st.
We followed I-35 South out of Albert Lea until I-80 East at Des Moines for about three miles, then U.S. Highway 65 to Harrison, Arkansas.
Our first stop was at Linneville South. (The town is on the Iowa-Missouri state line, thus the town is Linneville North and Linneville South.) We purchased gas at the first gas station in Linneville South and also on the way home. The facility is very, very clean, with Cheryl the Great Giver of Southern Hospitality. The gas was about 40¢ less per gallon versus Minnesota.
We stopped at McDonald’s in Carrollton, Missouri for late lunch. As we sat down, I jokingly reminded the eight local retired guys to watch their language, as there was now a lady in their presence. One guy replied, “Don’t worry, it won’t be anything she hasn’t heard before.” Then I knew “they were Good Old Boys.” One of them was like me, a retired AAL agent with the same personalized license plate, “AAL-MAN,” only his was a Missouri plate and mine a Minnesota plate.
We stayed Tuesday night at the Comfort Inn in Marshall, Missouri, eating the evening meal at Applebee’s. We used a coupon from Applebee’s in Albert Lea, so the manager stopped to talk to us. He is from the Deboer Clan of Hollandale, Minnesota. His middle name was “Lea” as he was born in Albert Lea, thus most certainly a “Minnesota Nice” feller.
From Marshall we drove to Harrison, Arkansas, staying at the Quality Inn. While at the Quality Inn we met two great sisters visiting their father. Bobby and Emily are both examples of “Minnesota Nice” even though they don’t live in Minnesota.
While in Harrison Cousin Sandy was an excellent tourist guide. She took us to Neighbor’s Mill, an unusual restaurant. The neighbors are committed to providing a “wow” experience and they sure did just that.
Sandy drove us out in the Rolling Arkansas countryside to the home of Joe and Susan. Their friends, Jim and Karen, were there also. We honored Jim on his upcoming birthday as he is one of the very few happy on Tax Due Day, April 15 – (also his birthday). The waterfall and the stories of living at their location are cause for envy!
Sunday morning, our day of departure, Sandy took us to her Lutheran church in Harrison. The pre-service Bible study (with food, if so desired) was excellent. It is always interesting to visit a church for the Sunday service – two things were interesting. The entrance to the church is from the front and if any long readings the attendees were told to sit down.
P.S.: Genie and I haven’t done much traveling since COVID started. This is what we have noticed being different on this trip. At some locations: 1. Credit card charge for gas is higher than pump price (it used to be a reduction if you paid in cash from the pump price.) 2. Military discount at restaurant applies only to the military person. (It used to be military discount for both Genie and me – now just me.) 3. Military discount applies only to full meal purchase, no longer soup and pie, etc. 4. Price is rounded up to next dollar (thus no more coins back to the customer). 5. Tack on charge when you pay. Perkins is classic example, also some hardware, drug and grocery stores add an add-on when you pay.) 6. Tax on a motel room in Arkansas is about $20 per night.
P.P.S. March came in like a lamb in southern Minnesota. It went out like a lion in southern Minnesota with 40+ miles per hour wind, four inches of snow in Albert Lea and six inches in Hope the 31st of March and April 1st.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.