Only 10 hours of driving today so I woke up late, got breakfast and set out on the road. 680 miles later I am staying with my friend Ricky a grad student at Purdue University.

Today’s highlights were similar to yesterday’s. I did however drive across the Mississippi. As I drove across I contemplated the rivers significance to the country’s development. It was a lifeline that carried exports from The Great Plains to New Orleans, The Gulf of Mexico and out to the world.

It is no wonder the British continued to fight for the Port of New Orleans after the War of 1812 was over.

Only one more day of driving left.