Day 8 - Sikeston, MO - Part One

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign. - Robert Louis Stevenson

Day 8 - St. Louis, MO to Sikeston, MO - Daily Distance 143 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2190 miles

Most of the time, it has been nice to fly by the seat of our pants on this trip. It has provided us exceptional flexibility with our plans.

Today, it bites us a little in the butt.

We had decided to stay another night in St. Louis but our hotel is sold out over the holiday weekend.

We are going to move on.

But before we go, we decide to go to Pappy's Smokehouse.

My friends from St. Louis have said "YOU HAVE TO GO THERE! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOT GOING!"

I threw out the suggestion to The Kids and my Mom was up for it.

So we checked out the hotel and headed over to Pappy's.

Now, I was told to expect a line.

I was shocked to see how long it was.

We get in line and within 10 minutes are inside the building. And now we can see how long the line truly is.

We are going to be here for a while.

Both Jack and myself ask my Mom if she really wants this.

She does.

We start to hear rumblings that the line is going to be at least an hour.

At that point, Jack taps out.

He can't do an hour in line and heads back to the car.

I ask my Mom if she still wants to stay.

She nods forcefully.

SHE.

WANTS.

BBQ.

We continue to wait and as we doubleback in line, you can't help but make "line friends." I'm wearing a pretty sweet Millenium Falcon t-shirt that four of the other guys in line compliment.

Many people in line are here for the first time. Everyone is determined to try these ribs.

We make it to the end of the FIRST PART of the queue and it's there where some amazing guest service takes place.

The hostess sees that my Mom is in a wheelchair and invites us to immediately take a seat. Now normally, you still would have another 15 to 20 minute line to wait in before you can place your order at a counter.

Now we can relax and one of the employees came by to take our order.

The food comes out super quick and I help my mom get set up to eat it.

I'm placing napkins all over her to catch was she's unable to get into her mouth.

I'm cutting up her ribs so that she could easily pick them up.

And I go get her an ice tea and her straw.

At least 4 of the employees come by to check on us and make sure that everything is okay and that we are enjoying lunch.

The food was phenomenal but the level of service during at this high volume location is mind-blowing.

I'm trying to finish my meal as quickly as possible so I can help my Mom finish hers.

Since Jack isn't here, I'm going to have to help feed her.

If she can eat with her hands, she's good.

Once she has to use a spoon or a fork, it is much tougher for her.

I grab her fork and start feeding her. It is surprising natural to do.

I have to pause after a couple of bites. I feel my back begin to spasm.

My back can not go out.

I take a seat and wait for the pain in my back to go away.

The employees come by to clear our table. An older guy that works here comes up to check on us too.

I ask him if he is the manager and he tells me he is one of the owners.

I let him know what a good experience we had and how much I appreciated the help that we got from his employees.

The compliment leaves him swollen with pride and he invites us to come back any time.

Before leaving the restaurant, I take a moment to soak the experience in.

It is increasingly rare to spend any time with my Mom where it is just me and her.

I am going to miss this.

We are ready to go but we are going to have to swim upstream to get out of the place.

The hostess that allowed us to bypass part of the line sees the challenge that is ahead of us and hops off of her chair to clear the way. Wielding a surprisingly boooming voice for a petite girl, she clears our path.

"PRINCESS COMING THROUGH!!!"