2nd May: Hope, AR to Ames, IA

We awake to a thumping storm around 2am...overnight storms are quite common in Arkansas - it's a peculiarity that plagues the state. It has one of the highest nighttime tornado incidences in America. These storms were exacerbating an already flooded river system across Arkansas. The lightning and thunder lasted till 3.30am and then tapered off. This was to be the last storm day for at least 5 days and we lulled to sleep to the roll of thunder in the distance.

By 8am we were heading NE along I30 in mist and rain. Our intentions are to head north through Hot Springs along Hway 7 into Missouri. After we pass through Hot Springs which had recorded its wettest 3 day period on record (13"), we decide against a trip along Hway 7 through the windy, misty hills of Arkansas, and instead divert west to the I40 and then north along I540 into Missouri. Hot Springs, Arkansas is a resort town with lots of water. The central old part appears to be a mini cross between New York and Paris and is well worth a stroll, but not today in the rain with a temperature barely exceeding 45F/7C.

We eventually reach the southern extreme of Missouri, and continue to head north through Joplin and eventually Kansas City where we join I35 and we end the day at Ames, Iowa. Again most of the countryside in the west of Missouri is farm country with scattered ranches. Kansas City wasn't the quagmire of traffic that we expected as we pass along the eastern side of the complex. From Ames we'll venture north to Duluth and Lake Superior tomorrow.

Arkadelphia, I 30 after 2 days of rain, SW Arkansas

Central Arkansas - after 3 days of rain - some areas had over 10" (250mm)

Water levels all over Arkansas were high, and were exacerbating the floods that were to develop in the Mississippi Valley a week later

Hot Springs held the record for 3 day rainfall - 13"!! central Arkansas

Interesting buildings, Hot Springs, Central Arkansas

Main Street, Hot Springs

Hway 7 has little in the way of straight roads

More flooding, northern Arkansas

We find all sorts of farm vehicles and contractions on the road

Kansas City traffic

Missouri River, Kansas City

We are continually astonished at some of the names we find in the USA!

Scalloping wave motion on the NW edge of the jet, north of Kansas City

Shifting home....Iowa. Americans use all sorts of vehicles to turn into trailers