Geronimo!

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 27 June 2011

Today we went looking for Indians. Southbound to Anadarko, described as the Indian Capital of the US. Anadarko was a disappointment since we expected more examples of traditional Indian culture, but we mostly saw run down houses and the mandatory Casino.

So we headed further south to Fort Sill where the Apaches were held as war prisoners the major part of in total 27 years. Geronimo died and was buried within the fort.

Temperature reached a high of 107F (42C)!

In the evening we went to the cinema to see Cars 2. We all enjoyed it.

Wilmer in front of Geronimo's grave in Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Go West

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 26 2011

( 792 km / 495 miles)
Arkansas, Oklahoma

The temperature reached 100F (38C) today which made it a perfect day for staying in Apan's air conditioned climate. We passed right through Arkansas and continued to Oklahoma and OKC - Oklahoma City.

We stayed on the I40 all the way with the landscape turning more and more into wild west style.
Cattle next to the I40 in Oklahoma

Graceland

Memphis, Tennessee 25 June 2011


We started off the day with a visit to Graceland. I was surprised to find out that Benna is an Elvis fan! Graceland was unexpectedly small and very 70's. We also covered Elvis' car museum and airplane (!) museum - he had two private jets!


The temperature rose above 90F (32C) for the first time on our trip.

After Elvis we went downtown Memphis to see the Old Man River - Mississippi! There is an island in the river with a 400m model of the river from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
The family on Mud Island in Mississippi River, Memphis

Through small Tennessee towns

Memphis, Tennessee 24 June 2011

(354 km / 221 miles)

We skipped the Interstate today and took the old highway, US70, all the way from Nashville to Memphis. The road took us through small town Tennessee and it was really worth the extra time. Drive-in cinemas, small road side bars and beaten up trucks! And a lot of churches of course!

Typical US70 view

Beautiful Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee 23 June 2011

We spent the day in beautiful Nashville. A walk and lunch in The District combined with swimming in the hotel pool. In the evening we had a celebration dinner for Benna who passed both her spring exams.

Filippa, Carl and Wilmer in downtown Nashville

Music City

Nashville, Tennessee 22 June 2011

( 728 km / 455 miles)
Tennessee

We took a long drive today through south west Virginia and north east Tennessee. We mainly followed the Interstates I81 & I40 but took some smaller roads on occasion to see some more of the country side.

Both I81 and I40 are 2 lanes and the large number of trucks that overtake each other make the traffic crowded. I put Apan on cruise control and relaxed and is not tired at all from the long drive.

Weather enthusiasts: We have had 20-25 degrees Celsius and mostly sunny but there have been rain showers almost every day as well.


Pick nick lunch in Abingdon, Virginia

On the Skyline Drive

Roanoke, Virginia 21 June 2011

(458 km / 286 miles)

We left the crowded I95 for a drive in the Appalachian Mountains on the Skyline Drive, a very scenic route with several overlooks. After a few hours, we skipped to the I81 and drove until dinner time.

No new states today, but we've seen a lot of Virginia!

Benna, Carl and Wilmer watching the Blue Ridge Mountains from Skyline Drive