The goal today was to get the Emporia fairlyearly so would have time to visit with Karen's Aunt Ruth Ann. Left the hotel at 7am under very clear skys, 34 degrees and windy. We were on Interstate 70 for most of the way. The landscape was fairly flat with fields, groves of trees that had lost their leaves and bright blue sky. The temperature did not reach 40 until just after 11am.
In keeping with the theme of something that stands out in each state, Missouri's predominant billboard along the interstate was advertising "adult stores". We thought it sad and thought of Psalm 12:8. Evil struts around on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of man. There was even a very large pink building with 3 X's on it along side the road. We are sad that this is what stood out.
Something else noticibly changed in western Missouri. We have navigation on the rental car. Usually there are a number of roads showing on the screen: around cities there is hardly any background with all the interchanges and roads. A number of places in western Missouri and eastern Kansas the only mark on the screen was the road we were on. A lot of open range.
Speaking of open range, there were quite a number of dead animals on the road. It was interesting that at the sites where the animal died there was a trail of blood going down the highway - strange. We saw 2 deer running across the high way about 100 yards in front of us. The good thing is that there aren't trees close to the road so visibility is good.
Arrived at Emporia right at noon, ate lunch and went to Aunt Ruth Ann's. Had a great visit just catching up and enjoying some memories. Went to bed early.