Mile 1267.8

Hello friendly followers, and Martin,

We thought it was about time to give you some context for the pictures we have posted over the past 36 (or so) hours. We spent last night in Nashville and we are currently en route to Memphis, Tennessee for BBQ for lunch and a quick tour of Graceland to pay our respects to the King.  The goal is to spend tonight between Oklahoma City, OK and Amarillo, TX.  We’re not quite half way yet – but not to worry, we have not left anyone on the side of the road yet, and Holly’s patience so far has outlasted Old Spice.

There is no BBQ-specific decision aid, but thanks to the family med orientation we were able to use the Ottawa Criteria to make a decision to eat Memphis BBQ over Spicy Fried Chicken.  Risks of both include acute GI side effects.

Things we’ve learned on the trip so far...

1. Holly’s always wrong.
2. Pappy Ford’s wardrobe makes much more sense after spending a night out in Nashville. 
3. Line dancing is deceptively tricky.
4. Though a grown man, Karl’s grasp of the time zone idea is loose at best.  And I quote, in New Jersey: “are we on central time?”
5. Truck drivers on the road between 4am and 6am in Virginia are the worst.
6. Waffle House is the best place to watch a Virginia sunrise.
7. You think you have friends, until they all go to sleep while you’re driving at 5 in the morning. 
8. Trucks pull other trucks.  Who would have thought?
9. Just because they offer you beef tips, fried chicken, and two pulled-pork sandwiches doesn’t mean you are obliged to accept.
10. A general observation as the only girl on the trip: middle school was tough for these guys.

See you on the other side of the Mississippi.