Jim complained to Gary that the A/C was a little warm, so Gary spent a few minutes adding a can of R-134A to the ’59 before we left Effingham. I think we could have survived without it, but hey, if Jim wants to wimp-out first, so be it.

We blasted out of Effingham towards Saint Louis on our way to Springfield, Missouri.

I have to admit, the ’59 sure looks good from any angle.

The longest long haulers for the trip this year appear to be a couple of Englishmen who flew in and rented a Caddy for the drive.

Boy, won’t they feel bad when they tell the Queen Mum what they gave up in 1776.

In no time at all, we blasted through Saint Louis and headed toward the Ozarks. Jesse James hid out here in the 1800s, and tourism in the Show-Me state is still reaping the benefits.

Trust me, the sign is more impressive than the building looks.

The Missouri Department of Tourism was kind enough to sponsor a bar-b-que for us in St. James. Someone forgot to tell the weather man, though. It was raining rather hard,

making it difficult to see Gary in the Vista-Cruiser. We stopped for the food,

risking a gravel parking lot for the sake of a free burger. The burger was worth it, though.

A dry place to stand or sit was a rare item today.

As we ran through the Ozarks, it became apparent there is a tremendous battle going on for the walnut bowl trade. Not only is there an “Original Factory” store,

there’s even a store that sells seconds

if you don’t mind a slight blemish like no bottom to the bowl.

Should your tastes run towards larger round containers, just stop by the ol’ barrel factory for a look-see at how your barrel was put together.

After almost 700 miles, we saw our first highway patrol car with an alledged speeder pulled over.

30 minutes late, we arrived at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield. They say it’s the largest tourist destination in the entire state. After looking at the size of the building, it certainly qualifies as the largest.

Next door to our display space was David Kidd and his associates from Dupli-Color. They had a tricked out early ’60s Riviera on display,

along with a 5-liter Ranger pick-up. Ho hum, you say — another V8 Ranger? Notice the Mirage shifting type paint.

Just look at that hood. Mirage is so cool,

in light it changes color as you walk around it.

David ran out of his booth for the main stage to announce the daily winners of his drawing for Mirage paint kits and a remote control gas powered car painted with Mirage.

He has more guts than I do to wear that Mirage painted bicycle helmet around the show. Up on the stage, though, let’s just say there was more ham than on a pig farm. David’s one guy that can really work the crowd.

I didn’t win today,

but there’s always tomorrow.

Since I didn’t win, we bugged out for the hotel. On the way out, we saw another SoCal wagon (wagons really ARE popular now). This one’s on the cover of the newest Hot Rod Magazine,

and is posessed with an injected big block, six speed transmission,

and really cool ghost flames.

I’ll have to find out more about it tomorrow.

Maybe I can scrounge a ride in it before the trip’s over.