LESLIE'S JOURNAL

We went to Meramec Caverns not so much out of an interest in caving or geology, as out of respect for one of the longest, most aggressive billboard ad campaigns anywhere in the world. Lester Dill knew a thing or two about epic semiotics. Anyway, we went to find the source of all those billboards, not the caves, but from the moment I saw the gigantic underground ballroom repleat with lino. floor and mirror ball, I realised that this was a natural feature able to dwarf even an ad campaign stretching all the way from Funk's Grove. I was well and truly awed by the size and beauty of the caverns, not to mention the romance of Jesse James and burried treasure.

At the deepest point in the tour, Travis, our guide, switched off the lights to let us experience 100% total darkness. While we stood there in the pitch black, I quietly placed 'The Executioner' kit, an illustrated history of the Tower of London and one of our cards on the floor. Seemed like a good place to leave behind a little treasure.

Above ground it was a beautiful sunny day. Throughout the Missouri Ozarks, Route 66 is lined with plum and peach trees, both of which are blossoming now.

I love the road and the contact. I only wish I could figure out a way to travel the old roads and the new roads (i.e. the WWW) without having to stay up until 3am every night. Tonight, by the way, Helen is sleeping on my dad's couch and I am sleeping in his big reclining armchair. My dad just happens to live in Catoosa, right on Route.