We remembered another interesting thing about St. Lewis. There was a farmers market that we toured as they were having an Oktoberfest. It was similar to the one in Pioneer Square, except it was in a beautiful brick building that was built as a market in 1879.

Back to our trip after Branson, MO. We headed south into Arkansas. Unfortunately we had a mechanical problem. Our V10 engine blew a spark plug - the second time this has happened. It is apparently a problem with this engine. We were towed to a Ford dealer in Frederick, Arkansas. Thank goodness for our Good Sam towing insurance! So we spent 2 days in the Frederick area, which is really a rather nice area. There are 3 towns there and a good economic base with Tyson, and Wall Mart having a big presence and a university.

With apologies to Foster Farms, we had some fabulous chicken before they got in that Plymouth Belvedere to drive to Washington. The Arkansas Quality Chicken House had some of the best fried chicken we have ever had.

We continue to travel scenic routs whenever possible and avoid the major interstates. Went through the northern Oklahoma area and the northern Texas panhandle. Not much there. Not even McDonalds or Wall Mart. Oklahoma had several almost dead towns. One had a 2 block downtown of old historic type buildings that were totally run down with not one business in operation. Very sad. The countryside was actually quite pretty with trees and some hills. It gave way to the Southern Great plains area in western Oklahoma and into Texas. Texas appears a little more prosperous. We have crossed the Chisholm Trail, followed the Santa Fe Trail and have been along the Red River. It really is red from the red rock sand and mud on the shores. We are seeing more livestock now and lots of antelope along with plenty of road kill (coons, possums, armadillos and turtles).

In Frederick, Oklahoma we spent an evening watching for tornadoes, again. This is the 4th time on this trip that we have been in a county with a major tornado watch. It is so hard to follow the warnings because we don't always know exactly where we are in relation to the warnings that are given. We pour over the map and try to watch the doppler on the weather site on the computer. Unfortunately that night we had very poor internet service and had to rely on a bad TV signal. We did end up driving about 30 miles out of our way. Saw several tornado watchers with trucks full of antennas. They would set up cameras along the highway and all of a sudden bolt to a new location. We went the opposite direction! As usual, we just ended up with some thunderstorms. We are nervous about these advisories since we are traveling in a TORNADO MAGNET.

Have arrived at Las Vegas, New Mexico (not Nevada) which is near the Sangre Mountains, Santa Fe, and Taos. We are on a lake at a State Park and at the elevation of 6,000 feet. It is nice to see some more mountain like terrain.