Looking for sleep

23:00 hours and we're sitting in front of a Casey's General Store in Shelbina, MO. I had thought that we'd find a park or a place to stay but--oh hold on. A city police officer has just pulled up in front of me. This is the second time today. Pulling out my licence, I stop to consider for a moment, 'Maybe I need a shave.' Just a few hours ago a sheriff had stopped us, but that was just fine. He gave me a couple bottles of water when he learned of the endeavour. This fellow is alluding to not staying--no, scratch that. Everything checks out and we get to talking. He kindly suggests that we can pitch a tent over at the fairgrounds and assures me that no one will bother us. 'Yeahhhh!'

That's so much better than the alternative of staying awake all night in front of a petrol pump and then walking 18 more miles to the next town at first light. I love how even when things start to look as though they've taken a turn for the worst, good folks are ready to help.