June 17, 2007

June 17, 2007

Six Becomes Five

Mike packed his things early this Father’s day morning. We would be down one man on the Winnebago crew. The airport just down the street, a taxi waiting in the rain; not sure if we would see him again later in our trip, we all said our goodbyes. The weather reflects the mood, dark, cloudy and pouring rain. Mike leaves to be at Kyle’s funeral, and be with his family.
The rain lets up, and we go outside only to be disappointed with two more flat tires. The tubes inside the tires need to be replaced. Phone calls are made, parts are ordered, and we sit and wait in the Tulsa Wal-Mart parking lot.
Later in the day we search for internet. Wondering down busy streets, we pop in and out of McDonalds, Burger Kings, Arby’s, and KFC. It was in the KFC that we found our first, free internet in a few days. Threatening to kick us out, the manager told us we had to buy something, or leave. We bought a couple meals and split them among ourselves. The first food we paid for on the trip went down fast in the dry, air-conditioned dining room of KFC. A short lived, highlight in a nasty day.
Tomorrow, the parts will be in so that we can fix our tires and get out of here. No traveling today. It feels like a waste, more than a rest. We go to bed earlier than normal, ready to get up and out of this miserable town.

Winnebago Guys, from the desk of Aaron Tubergen
Tulsa, Oklahoma
1039 miles, still