Lancaster to Rolla; Susan’s Memorial Service, Day 2

Thinking we got most of the miles out of our way on Wednesday, we got a leisurely start from our Hampton Inn room in Richmond, Virginia. Down to “breakfast” in their dining room area for one of the worst breakfasts we have ever had at a Hampton Inn ~ and probably one of the most expensive rooms at a Hampton Inn, topped only by NYC! The so-called scrambled eggs were dry, chewy and tasteless and we dumped them. Jim replaced them with dry cereal, I had yogurt. Can’t go wrong with those! The choices weren’t there. The trash was full, and the young lady who was the hostess was leaning on the counter talking. She finally walked over to the trash and pushed it down a little. How did Linda’s day start? Was it going to be same as yesterday? If the breakfast was any indication, it certainly was! Before I left the dining room, I had spilled my orange juice in my lap and had to leave carrying the USA today in front of me. Oh! we had to pick the paper up in the lobby because one was not left at our door, as is the policy for SILVER members of Hilton Honors! Despite the start, the day was rather uneventful. As we departed and turned on the GPS we found we had only traveled half way and we would have to make time today. The various “wild goose chases” that plagued us yesterday set us back more than we had imagined. Jumping on US 70 we headed across Indiana, Illinois stopping in Vandalia, Illinois to see something, anything, and stretch our legs. The town advertised itself as having Illinois’ oldest Statehouse and we set out to see it! The grounds were immaculate and the building beautiful. It was worth the stop! Also worth the stop was “The Old State Cemetery” two blocks beyond it. The cemetery is well kept, and stones that are becoming unreadable have been “transcribed” onto bronze plaques on cement markers in front of each one.  Mary Hall’s is an excellent example of just such an effort. We left Vandalia and continued on our journey, finally crossing the Mississippi River into St. Louis.  Jim drove, Linda snapped as many pictures of the Arch as she could, giving directions to Jim as she did so!  Women, as everybody knows, use both sides of their brain after all! Since we had not had lunch and it was approaching 2PM we started looking for something, anything to eat!  We finally found it and decided on the best!  If you’ve never been to the midwest, you’ve never had the pleasure of a “Slider!”  Yummo, 59 cents each, and of course, one just won’t do it!  The are 2 1/2″ square, a bun, hamburger, diced cooked onions and a pickle slice.  Served hot and there’s nothing like ‘em! We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express an hour before Bob and Lori, giving us time to unpack, relax and take a short nap.  They called when they arrived and we met 10 minutes later for our “dinner date” with the Lindgren clan of Rolla, Missouri!