Day 10 – Sunday, June 19, 2011 - Nixa, MO to Kansas City, Mo (aka Home)

Final milage of Tail of the Dragon
road trip (cell phone pic)

We arose on Sunday morning to some of the same that occurred on Saturday. The smell of coffee, watching dogs chase birds and squirrels, and ate some breakfast. This time, breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and other regular fare. We knew this was the final day of our trek, but ready to hit the road and get home. On our way through Springfield, we went past a dozen or so golden arches – but we didn’t stop. Huh? Odd!

Oh well, as we headed up MO-13, we exited near Humansville to hop over to ma and pa Kenny’s. After all, it was Father’s Day, and Kathy wanted to wish her father a happy day. We got there around 10:15 AM, greeted with hugs and kisses, and a bloody mary. I see a trend beginning here… We briefly recapped some highlights of our trip, and headed north.

Right before hitting Clinton Missouri, Ronnie chattered over the CB stating something about a diet coke and some golden arches. Ah, all was right with the world - now that Theresa got her diet coke! We continued north on to Kansas City.

As we got on northbound 71 hwy, we looked across the road to look for Ronnie’s missing engine cover. At 70 mph, it is pretty tough looking across the road for a chrome plastic cover. Needless to say, we did not locate it.

As we arrived to downtown Kansas City, I called on the CB stating that Kathy and I were headed to Chipshots Bar and Grill in North Kansas City for a tenderloin sandwich. Ronnie and Theresa were ready to get home, and politely declined the initial invitation. We said our goodbyes over the radio and planned to forge on. However, after a brief moment of silence, Ronnie said, “Hey, their tenderloins are pretty good, we will follow you there.” So we landed at Chipshots to split two tenderloin sandwiches four ways and a celebratory beer each.

While at our final landing spot before getting home, we talked about how great a trip it was and didn’t talk much about what we would change. We all agreed it was near perfect, except for the obvious stuff mentioned before. All in all, the 2011 Tail of the Dragon trip from Kansas City was a great road trip and will not soon be forgotten.

Some revelations for this tenth leg of the road trip:

• A bloody mary a day might not keep the doctor away, but damn they taste good.
• Chipshots tenderloins are the bombdiggity!
• There’s no place like home.
• I completely checked out of work last week. Crap, now what do I do?
• Note to self: Get oil changed, 2 weeks after getting the last one, and check out the service guy’s expression when I arrive and have him write the service ticket.
• Get a new back tire.
• 230 miles this day - give or take – click here our general route.