Bad Garmin!

Branson, MO —  I made it!  For a while I wasn’t sure I would.

I had a great time visiting family in the Columbia area.  I really should visit more often!  It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to roll around on the floor with young children.  They even let me play with their toys.

While I was there we also went down to the Lake of the Ozarks which has over 1100 miles of shoreline.  If you’re ever there I can recommend Baxters Lakeside Grill.   It has a very nice decor, and great views from its perch on the hillside.  The food was good, and the prices were much less than what I would have expected given it’s Anthony’s-like appearance.

Baxter's Lakeside Grill
Baxter’s Lakeside Grill
Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks

You might be interested in gas prices.  As I’m burning about 12 mpg,   I certainly am!  Don’t you wish I could bring some back for you?

This is the lowest price I've seen so far
This is the lowest price I’ve seen so far. Too bad my tank was full

So why did I title this post “Bad Garmin!”?   As some of you know I’ve been trying to avoid interstate driving.  It started off well enough.  Here’s a nice little roadside park that I stopped at.

Roadside Park
Roadside Park

Later, on my way to Branson, the Garmin decided I needed to try a little off-roading.  I’ll spare you the details, but I ended up driving about 10 miles on single lane dirt roads until I finally reached a washed-out bridge.  I managed to get the truck turned around and only found my way back to civilization with the help of a nice old farmer, who, with his slow southern drawl, started to tell me all about how the bridge washed out, and how people still keep trying to take that 30 mile shortcut.  He eventually told me how to get to Branson.

While I was on this dirt road I had to: cross streams; slow to a crawl because of low branches; edge my way around a huge (rolled) bail of hay that had been dropped in the middle of the road between the time I first went through and my return; and stop for three deer.  I complain about the Garmin, but it did make for an adventure.  I’m just glad that no one took a  shot at me, or that they missed because of the huge cloud of dust that I was throwing up.

Bad Garmin
Bad Garmin

Miles Today: 277
Total Miles: 2786
Avg Miles/Day: 232 (including non-travel days)

Next Stop, a small town in East Texas

4 thoughts on “Bad Garmin!”

  1. On my labor day long weekend road trip from Mukilteo to Ontario, I found gas in Michigan at $2.19… wish I could have brought a tanker truck home with me 🙂 You’ll be happy with the prices throughout Missouri and Texas. And you have just eclipsed the total mileage of my trip – approx. 2600. But, try to beat 660 miles in one day 🙂

  2. Bob,

    I talk to my Garmina some times too!
    “She” has a knack for sending me in odd directions.
    Once in Ireland, we got to see the “highest PUB” in Ireland…but only after Garmina sent us on a “shortest route” up over hills, down rutted grassy sheep paths. We did get to the destination…but not at the 100Km/Hr Garmina projected.
    It was the best drive of the week….and we remember it well.
    Now so will you in the Ozarks.
    CS

  3. You’re a lot nicer to your Garmin than I am. I’ve used every cuss word I know on mine. Perhaps that why it continues to send me off onto bad roads from time to time. ….LM

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