this was a rather long day compared with most of the traveling we have been doing since leaving california, which started after we packed up and katy (our beagle) had a short, but well-deserved roll in the grass at the west memphis koa. this koa kampground was a very nice one with hundreds of mature trees throughout the park. after our usual gas-up and breakfast on the road, we were ready for our 5 hour and 30 minute drive to crossville, tennessee. the drive on i-40 was uneventful until the last hour or so, when the traffic backed up for 8 to 10 miles just east of cookeville, tn. we had just made a pit-stop at the rest area near cookeville and about a mile after entering the interstate, the flow of traffic came to a very slow crawl. it took us 45 minutes to drive 10 miles. we found out that an 18-wheeler had veered off the interstate into a 12-foot-deep gully in the median strip that was fully wooded. we aren't sure if the trucker was hurt, but our hopes and prayers go out to the trucker and anyone else involved in the accident. at the rest stop, tennessee dot had placed a sculpture that was a very cool design, in cooperation with the arts council. and now i need to add a note from nancy to our arkansas hosts in hot springs, vilma and ward. nancy said to tell you that vilma's quilting studio was quite a sight to behold, and i might add, she has some remodeling work for me to do after we get home. honey, can't we stay out another six weeks?...
