14 degrees
Miles - 2004 km
8:30

Off we go, 8:00 a.m., 4 degrees, we know today is going to be our longest drive but worth the effort. We closed the garage door on Wildflower and set off on a bit of a grey day. Crossing county roads, we reflected on our visits here. All so good! The State of Indiana, a midwestern state is known for its farmland, corn and soybeans being the most valuable. Tomatoes are the leading "vegetable" crop. Flat lands abound. Of course the Indianapolis 500 draws a lot of attention along with the nickname "Hoosiers" given to Indianans. There was a contractor named Hoosier employed on the Louisville and Portland Canal who preferred to hire labourers from Indiana. They became known as "Hoosier's Men" and eventually all Indianans became known as Hoosiers.

Illinois was state number two. Of course our trips to Chicago were in my thoughts. Chicago is one of our favourite cities, a place I am sure we will return to, again great memories so look out Limina boys, we will be back. The state is huge, just as flat and farmer's fields are joined like quilt squares covering three- fourths of the state's area, again corn and soybean are major crops. It is known as "The Land of Lincoln". At the bottom end of the State land started to green up, buds were appearing on the trees and the temperature began to rise...8, 9,....still a bit grey and a few rain sprinkles. We crossed the Mississippi River on our left leaving the Ohio and Tennessee rivers on our right.

Missouri, which I will come back to later, was where sod farms started to appear, road kill crazy. Granny Clampett could feed a cast of thousands with deer, fox, gophers, raccoons and large birds. It was crazy. Hawks were picking up their meals left, right and centre, in a frenzied state, circling above the fields then dive bombing to catch their prey.

Number four Arkansas. I will also come back to it. The temperature hit double digits, 10! More sod farms, then another crossing of the mighty Mississippi which is overflowing and covering some roads, trees were submerged and everything looked a little dangerous. Finally, we arrived in state number five, Tennessee, ten hours later, nine driving hours. The temperature was 14 degrees and the sun was shining in Memphis. Memphis sits just inside the border of Arkansas and Tennessee.

Needless to say we were glad to get out of the car! From Warsaw we travelled County Roads to Wabash, 31 South, 465 West, I70, 57, 55, great roads, easy directions, then "Elvis Presley Boulevard" to "The Guest House at Graceland", built by Priscilla and Lisa, yep we are real tourists right now! The "Heartbreak Hotel" has closed.

Elvis's music fills the lobby, elevators and when you enter your room, (the room is very nice), Elvis is on the TV. If you want to, you can watch Elvis, in "Love Me Tender" tonight in the theatre. We were encouraged to bring our drinks and snacks and enjoy, just like at home. Tony loves Elvis! Tomorrow I will have a lot to say about our experience, we are here for two sleeps and tonight's should come easy.