Saturday, March 5, Day 1, 341 miles to Mt Pleasant Iowa

We got off the ground at 8:43am. Started with a cool day 14 deg F. We grabbed a bite of breakfast and lunch at Perkins in Clear Lake Iowa. What a choice, we have eaten here many times before but this time was different. First, a lady older than us, was sitting across from us and decided we were the couple she wanted to befriend today. She got up came over to our table and ask if we wanted to hear a joke. We smiled and of course said yes. What did the old man call the money he had in his freezer – right way she reminded us of mom and dad who actually did this, saying that no one would look there for money. The punch line was he liked cold cash. There were two other jokes to long to write and remember. To top it off after sitting there 45 minutes the waitress came by and confirmed our order. After another 5 minutes I was upset and let them know about it. The manager bought our meal. As I had told him we have eaten here many times and have had good service but that I see Denny’s is right across the street. We ordered a tough breakfast, Shirleen one egg basted with home fries and a link of sausage, I, a short stack of buttermilk pancakes. I offered to buy the meal, as we consumed it, but they said no that’s fine, glad to have you come back.

Seeing we were going to visit Dave and Pat S. in Mt. Pleasant I had the car hand washed at Lagers before we left. Well, we ran into moist roads 50 miles from there. Nice visit as they were going thru rough times with dad’s health. Ate at a Mexican restaurant, great tasting food, Shirleen her standby Enchilada and I a burrito with nicely spiced beef. We stayed across from there at a Comfort Inn and Suites right next to a massive Walmart distribution center, I can see upwards of 125 semi trailers, the room did not lock so we got a new room. As I checked in the guy in front of me said they just came from New Orleans’s and had a great time. He (Mike I think) said for a farmer who doesn’t get out much he saw things down there he had never seen before, approached by 4 transvestites, beautiful looking. He said he was from Faribault, I asked did he know Gary D. He said yes I have to see him in two weeks. Apparently he is doing is taxes. Jerr