USA - Canada - Mexico 2016 - Day 28

 

 

Monday, 3 October 2016 - Memphis, Tennesse - Fort Smith, Arkansas

 

If you came here for an interesting story and exciting photographs, you are bound to be disappointed I'm afraid. Last night I suggested it would be a boring day and I wasn't far wrong. Nice country though but a bit like parts of outback Australia where similar country just goes on for mile after mile.

 

Left Memphis heading over the Mississippi River which is the state boundary with Arkansas. If you search for Memphis you get a choice of Memphis in Tennessee or in Arkansas. First stop, Forrest City for fuel then on to Little Rock, home of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National airport, for more fuel.

 

Fun place the USA when it comes to buying fuel. Just whack the credit card into the slot in the boswer, pull the card out, lift the handle, choose the fuel type and go. No, wait, that's how it's supposed to work. It does sometimes with Australian cards but some pumps ask for the 5 digit Zip Code. Sorry, 4 digit code Post Code doesn't work. Go to Cashier. Wait your turn in the queue, nominate how much you want, (nominate too little and the pump stops before your tank is full, nominate too much and you have to get a credit for the difference), then you can fill up. Which system is the worst, the inappropriately named "Fastpay".

 

More boring and tiring running down the Interstate to Conway where we took a route off the Interstate through a number of small towns just to make things a little more relaxing and interesting. During this we came into Morrilton and finally found a town with a park on the highway complete with tables and seats and shady trees.

 

Then, back on the highway and over the Arkansas River into Fort Smith for the night. Met a lovely girl, Yolanda, on the reception of the motel and apparently they don't get many Aussies in Fort Smith. Not high on the international tourist destinations list I guess.

 

But for something "Aussie", we had dinner at the local Outback Steakhouse and it is themed as "Aussie". While the food may not be very authentic, the service and food was excellent.

 

We're looking forward, not, to another fairly boring Interstate ride tomorrow to across Oklahoma and into Texas.

 

511 klms today, total to date 10,634 klms.

 

  • Crossing the mighty Mississippi River From Tennessee into Arkansas Crossing the mighty Mississippi River From Tennessee into Arkansas
  • Cultivation near Palestine from Interstate 40 Cultivation near Palestine from Interstate 40
  • Crops harvested and ready to be harvested Crops harvested and ready to be harvested
  • Crops near Carlisle on the way to Little Rock Crops near Carlisle on the way to Little Rock
  • Pentecostal Church, North Little Rock Pentecostal Church, North Little Rock
  • Decorated for Halloween at Morrilton Decorated for Halloween at Morrilton
  • At Morrilton we actually found a City Park with Tables and shade. At Morrilton we actually found a City Park with Tables and shade.
  • J W Matthews Civic Centre, Atkins, Arkansas J W Matthews Civic Centre, Atkins, Arkansas
  • Near Atkins Near Atkins
  • Riding the Interstate Riding the Interstate
  • Crossing the Arkansas River at Fort Smith Crossing the Arkansas River at Fort Smith
  • Crossing the Arkansas River at Fort Smith Crossing the Arkansas River at Fort Smith
  • Aussie Themed Steakhouse Aussie Themed Steakhouse
  • Aussie decorated inside but menu wasn't quite Aussie. No real Aussie meals but given themed names. Great food and service though. Aussie decorated inside but menu wasn't quite Aussie. No real Aussie meals but given themed names. Great food and service though.
     

 

Day 27

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Day 29