Big Day Today : Amy Reaches 50 !!

This morning we are up and on the road.

After a light breakfast at the hotel, we headed out on the next leg of the trip home.

AND FINALLY AMY REACHED IOWA!  The 50th state to be checked off her list!

We found a place for lunch in Fort Madison IA : The Lost Duck Brewing Co.

 

They were closed.

Instead we walked across the parking lot to ... where we had a great experience for lunch. This is a classic lunch counter. Full of friendly local people who were full to talk to and share a laugh around with.

Then we back are back on the road tonight we are staying in Columbus.

For dinner, Amy located another gem in Richmond IL : 

The Kitchen at the Loft

This restaurant is in an old warehouse near the rail yard. They allow you to bring beer from the the New Boswell Tap Room and Brewery next door. 

Finally, we reached the night's La Quinta in Columbus, OH.

Not a Bad Day's Travel

On the Road Again

We were up bright and early to head north to Overland Park, KS.

The first stop is Buck-ee's 

Do you need some nuts?

Maybe some candy?

Fountain Drinks

Jerky and other meats

Roasted and candied nuts

Look it is Buck-ee!!

Some desserts

Amy even met Buck-ee!!

 Then we stopped in at the Two Frogs Grill in Ardmore, OK

There are all sorts of photos and memorabilia of musical acts

Kala was a GREAT traveler

 Once we got to Overland Park, we had takeout BBQ from

We tried ALL the sauces

Not bad for a one day drive

NOLA to Conroe TX : Lake Charles LA

The first stop out of NOLA was the Bayou Distillery.  A locally owned, locally sourced, distiller of rum!  

While we were there, they recommended a couple of other stops in Lake Charles.

Honey B Ham was on our list from the beginning.  We bought ham and broccoli cheese casserole for Monday's party.

We also bought Boudin Balls - YUMM!!

Boudin Balls 

 The first recommendation from the kind folks at Bayou Distillery was Famous Foods, ,1475 Gerstner Memorial Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601.  We were told to get the chocolate covered cracklin.  The did not have it :(  more was coming in 45 minutes.  If you know us, or have ever been on a road trip of your own, you know we did not wait.  But we bought a couple types of Boudin.

The other great suggestion was J T's Seafood at 2908 Lake St, Lake Charles, LA 70601. 

*** THIS IMAGE FROM GOOGLE MAPS ***

Next stop... Key Harbor ? !