May 1 - May 2, 2007 Tulsa

I set out early the next morning even though the drive was going to be relatively quick. This was because I knew of several key places I wanted to visit as I traveled between Independence and Tulsa.
Threatening skies.
This would be the last time I saw rain until September.
This is the site of the Battle of Carthage in Missouri. I visited two years ago and could not find the actual battleground, but I would not be denied twice.
Battle of Carthage.
I recorded a long conversation with this gentleman about panning for war-era treasure and his metal detector. He was very nice, and let me follow him around while he hunted. During our time together, all that he found was a quarter. It was dated 2000.
Pulling off the highway at random moments to get lost on back roads is my favorite road trip activity. I never know what I'm going to uncover. Beautiful photo opportunities everywhere. Not these animals, per se...but in general.
A hidden cemetary.
One-way dirt road through the cemetary.
If you've seen any of my travel pictures you know by now I have a thing for trains.
Downtown Carthage.
I was overcome with chills when I spied this building for the first time, as a whole new series of once-forgotten memories from 2005 returned. Such a surreal moment.
Back on the road, headed for Oklahoma.
But first, a brief stop in Kansas, just so that I could say I've been to Kansas.
Traveling through Oklahoma.
The skies are beginning to clear.
I stopped at a Cherokee Trading Post because I wanted to see the live buffalo. These stores are awfully good time wasters.
I was not disappointed. Those are buffalo.
Back on the road, the sky is blue.
Tulsa is as boring as ever. I drove around for hours looking for a bar and I couldn't even find it even though I had door-to-door directions. Instead, I returned to my room and got drunk there. It was easier and cheaper because I didn't have to pay for any dinner.