“When I tell people I like driving, I’m talking about that profound sensation felt on the empty, lonely and long roads of the Midwest” – Old Sean
A Jaunt Through the Midwest
Optimistically speaking, this is my last week in the United States for a while. Soon, I leave this country for Asia. But before that, I had roughly a week of free time. In the face of crushing boredom, and the irreversible desire to make poor life choices, I took a spontaneous road-trip driving north.
My drive consisted of cruise-control, being serenaded by Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk Radio and artificial-selection’s gift to road trippers: Honey-crisp apples. I wandered north from Dallas, Texas, taking one of my oldest and most frequently traversed routes into Missouri.
Since my family was situated in Dallas during my college years in Missouri, I racked up considerable time driving this particular road. The ten hour Midwest drive was extended as I made various stops for nostalgia’s sake.
North Through Oklahoma
For tradition’s sake, I stopped into Choctaw Casino in Durant and tossed three dollars into a slot machine. Also in keeping with tradition, the machine ate my dollars, and I shrugged. I’ve never been lucky at the slots.
I suspect I use up my luck on survival.
With a sliver of fun gambled away, I went back to my car, leaving the whirling array of colors and stale cigarette smoke behind. Onward and northward through the Midwest.
I then took a late lunch at Cardinal Point Recreation Area, munching on peanut butter and bread while peering at the white crumbling cliffs of the lake. A few hours later, I pulled into an extremely battered antique shop. Though a bit risky due to rusty nails and tetanus, I like browsing dusty clutter.
Into Missouri
While driving north, I kept an eye out for hitchhikers in Joplin, but I didn’t spot any this time. Years ago, during my trips back and forth from Colombia, Joplin was the best place to find interesting people. I also made a quick stop near Katy Trail and the Missouri River to visit the ever-strange Boathenge lounging on the bank.
Finally, I managed to land myself in Columbia, Missouri to say hi to some old friends. We spent copious amounts of time watching Cheers, drinking alcohol, and meandering through a gradually reconstructed downtown area.
Somehow, I ended up tagging along with a stranger’s birthday party, wandering through the main street outside of Mizzou’s campus, East Broadway. My impromptu group stocked up on cocktail slushies at a famous little corner shop in town called Tropical Liqueurs. They don’t pour shyly, so we found ourselves swerving slightly while walking quickly.
Tipsy by now, I ended up assisting in the development of a young lady’s overarching thesis on a book report (which I’m personally entertained by). The rest of the night gradually led to fireworks, dancing and a VIP lounge with blaring music. The night concluded by passing out on a friend’s sofa.
It was a great visitation scorecard.
The next morning, after lying to myself about the severity of my hangover, I grabbed a quick breakfast with a friend. I then drove to nearby St. Joseph, MO for hookah, Mario Kart, some truly spectacular Saudi Arabian cooking. My old roommate, Abdah and his wife were the very souls of hospitality. We drank tea good enough to drown myself in with relatively few regrets at the action.
Columbia Reminiscence Tour
I managed to spend the rest of my day on a short nostalgia tour of my old university’s stomping grounds. The Devil’s Icebox is a unique underground cavern of slick moss and rushing, cold water located inside Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Next, I visited my favorite freestyle restaurant, 44 Canteen, which changes an experimental menu weekly. Afterwards, I popped over to the Mizzou Campus, wandering freely until I spotted a couple of old professors for a swift hello. Finally, I ended my brief visit with a snack from Lucky’s Supermarket, which had at one point in my youth, provided me with all my snacks and groceries.
Into Nebraska
Finally, it was time to meander to Lincoln, Nebraska. During the drive, I was challenged by an onslaught of fat snowflakes. They had a unique love for plastering, but not melting on my windshield.
If one of your life goals is to stand inside a wind tunnel while superglue which causes frostbite is thrown into the wind-stream, you missed your weather-equivalent chance.
Splendidly, I arrived at a dear friend’s apartment in Lincoln where the local Chinese food did not disappoint. My host, the illustrious Carl, coined the term “artisanal hobo” to sum up my paradoxically poor and classy lifestyle.
I chuckled at the term then. I’ve not stopped yet.
My time in Lincoln was excellent and somewhat peaceful. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, so all Midwest towns are a constant source of nostalgia for me. We had an early dinner at the Tiru Ethiopian Restaurant, which was an extraordinary treat.
The next morning I began wandering back south after throwing around some snowballs, drinking some lethally effective coffee and repacking my single bag. I’m back in Texas for the week, but I’ll depart again for China soon. I don’t speak Chinese, so I’m looking forward to being utterly illiterate in a country of over a billion people.
Until then,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written December 6th, 2016
For great things to do while visiting Columbia, Missouri click here
Visiting Lincoln, Nebraska? Click here for interesting things to do
Click here to see points of interest along the Katy Trail Bicycle Route, Missouri
Affiliate Disclosure: Leftfade Trails contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no extra cost to the user. All links are to tested services and products designed to aid travelers on their journeys. Some links specifically connect to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate this website earns from qualifying purchases.
Planning a trip through the United States Midwest? Look at travel resources below:
