Day 33 “When it Rain, It Rains… Pennies From Heaven.”

That was the theme for the day today and will be tomorrow. From Oklahoma City to Lebanon Mo (where we are tonight) it rained hard all day. This slow moving storm is piling up the inches of rain all through the southern Plains and the Lower Midwest. We saw every river that we crossed that had extended its width to the neighboring farms and land. Many non major roads had been closed anywhere there was a gully and when not on the Freeway we had to be careful where there were large gatherings of water in

One of those Botanical garden orchids

the flooded streets. But, we are safe and up above the nearest river which is the Gasconade River near here The area around Jefferson City on the Moreau River has had the most rain so far. That is north of where we are. Got your Missouri map out?

As usual we stopped along the way for a “trailer lunch”, and did get gasoline for $2.99 which was almost identical; to the price when we first came into Missouri more than a month ago. ($2.89). Trucks make the big splash and spray as they move along but generally everyone is driving 5 to 10 miles an hour slower than on dry pavement.

Today was a challenge for Ruth to spot any birds at all. Would she find any in this torrential rain? Any bird worth it’s feathers would not be visible. Up til noon she was still looking for one. At lunch time we HEARD a meadowlark, but we cannot count any bird we cannot see (Bird watcher’s code). That gave us hope and then, one by one, she came up with one after another even though they were rather spaced out as we drove the I-44 corridor. There was the Osprey on a tree limb; a Meadowlark on a fence post, a surprising view was that of a Great Egret in a field... Then a few Cormorants flew overhead (lots of water for them), a Red Tailed Hawk in a tree, and the “piece of resistance” (J) was 50 Turkeys in a field before we stopped for the day. In all she had identified 11 species on a miserable day for the birds, including two Great Blue Heron. Our total bird species on the trip stands at 167 now.

The ride ended when we neared Lebanon Mo and stopped at the KOA. We registered and the manager led us to the site. There were only three other units there. It was, however, a very wet time to set up. Water was puddled on both sides of the trailer and if we walked gingerly along the side to the door we could just miss the large pool of water next the trailer. At this writing at 10:00 PM it is still raining hard and every once in a while the lightning will light the trailer and then comes the “BOOM!” that shakes the ground. By morning they say the rain will lessen and we may even get going again without having to don our rain suits. We shall see. I will put in a few more pictures from the Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City tonight as we didn’t take any today.

This is pineapple (Why is it neither a pine , n0r an apple? English is wierd)

Here is a short quiz if you have been reading the Blog.
1. Name the city from which the cruise takes you to see the Whooping Cranes.?
2. Which city is further west, Tucson or Phoenix?
3. We had no rain before this week, except once in what Texas city?
4. Casa Grande means what? (Think U of M football)
5. What was the "special of the day" that we ate at the “Off The Hook” restaurant in Rockport TX?
See answers after the last picture. (No peeking) Blessings in the Holy Week, Jim and Ruth

The frog is a Pearly one You may know the name of this one.

Quiz answers
Rockport, which is near the National Wildlife Reserve.
Phoenix
Nacogdoches
Great House (Big House?)
”All the Shrimp you can eat”!

uiz answers
Rockport which is near the National Wildlife Reserve.
Phoenix
Nacogdoches
Great House (Big House?)
”All the Shrimp you could eat”!