Random thoughts about the trip so far

The food in the middle of the country is all beige. But, there is some very good pie.

Pretty much at any time on any given day, it's possible to watch an episode of NCIS. Which is a good thing.

Heat and miles and miles of flatland riding have their own kind of pain.

There are more nice people than any other kind.

We really miss Roger, Chris and Rick.

Small towns in America are losing their heartbeat. Instead of lively business districts with a town square, many have motels and fast food near an interstate, without any kind of business in the heart of town.

Small town carnivals are still really fun where they happen.

If someone mentions something like "the place where the elephant died," go see it. It's one of our only regrets about the trip that we didn't.

My new favorite American euphemism is that we are no longer burying our dead in "cemeteries." Apparently, that is just too death-y. Rather, we plant them (I guess) in places called "Memory Gardens."