Today I headed to Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri. Its elevation is 1,772 ft above sea level.

It was a rainy morning though, so I got a little bit of a later start. There are quite a few different trails you can take to get to the top but since it was pretty nasty out, I just did the really short trail (.5 miles). It was a paved trail so nothing too exciting or adventurous, but it was a pretty area.

I drove a ton yesterday… maybe 10 hours…  so I was really tired of driving! And I drove another 4.5 hours today. Lots. Of. Driving.

I did start listening to the Darth Bane Star Wars series on Audible (nerd alert). I really enjoyed it a lot. The narrator is excellent – he changes voices for different characters and all – and it was great road entertainment. You even get occasional Star Wars music in the background. The story is great as well; solid character and plot development, which you would expect from a book.

While I was driving, I was also thinking about how lucky we are to live in such an interesting and geographically diverse country. Are there parts that are more “boring” than others? Sure… but its amazing how much different stuff you can drive past. Even the flat, rural parts have their own beauty to them. If you are looking to enjoy life, you can enjoy pretty much everywhere.

I drove past a town that was called “Gooberville”. Yup. Gooberville. Go figure.

I headed back to Memphis where I am spending the night. I had to go out for BBQ. Yelp + friends confirmed that Central BBQ in Downtown was a winner. I got the pulled pork with the normal mild sauce, collards, and a Ghost River IPA. Excellent! Though my local Atlanta favorite, Heirloom Market, is right there at the same level (if not better). I ate at some benches outside and then caught a few minutes of the UGA vs KY basketball game. Go Dawgs!

My hotel is on Union Ave, which isn’t far from Beale Street, so I walked back through there on the way back to my room. Apparently there is a big event in town and its going to be packed tonight. I’ll be staying away.

Beale reminds me of the Nashville strip… only you inevitably have “walking in Memphis” in your head the entire time.

Tomorrow is the last day of this trip and then I’ll be headed back home. Cheers!