Howdy y'all from North West Arkansas. Well it took 26 hours on a few Greyhound buses but we finally got here on Wednesday.From Grand Rapids we took the bus to Chicago. Greyhound bus stops are not glamourous and we witnessed a guy getting beaten up by security guards and then the cops came in for the final blows! Then we took a scenic cornfield tour through Iowa landing in Des Moines. Then southbound to Kansas City, Missouri. This place is huge. I was shocked at how big some of the regional town centres were. I was expecting little hick towns... We hit Kansas City at Midnight surrounded by crack heads, drunks and an Amish Family. They (the amish)were incredibly interesting. I felt almost rude staring at them but they wore hats inside...The children were patient (and unnaturally quiet) and everyone in the family bore a striking resemblance to each other (eg husband and wife)...nOt looking into that anymore.
Then an ungodly awakening at 4:30am in Joplin MO and finally a onto Fayetteville AR. Our final destination.We have checked out the local lakes (Fayetteville and Seqouia). We have hit the local pubs at Dickson Street(Ozark Brewing Pub) and Brewski's (78 types of beer on draft). I was pleased with the latter. Finally found Heineken Dark after 6 years of searching!! Being looked after really well by James' family.

Heading off to Memphis on Tuesday- home of Elvis, Beale Street and the Memphis Zoo (to check out the butterfly exhibit dedicated to Jeff Buckley).

Animal update- finally saw a skunk!

Will keep you posted. I love the accent here so I get distracted listening to people speak.
Lots of Love Michelle+James

Hi all from Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. Have been having a great time catching up with Jacqui and Pearce here in beautiful Western MIchigan. Last week went to the very picturesque Mackinac Island for the weekend. We are now certified "fudgies" ,the term given to tourists to the area due to the large amount of fudge purchased by such visitors. We are still trying to work our way through 1lb of fudge but can't make it past the sickly sweet pistachio fudge.

Have been having a relaxing week at Chateau Vander Meeden- 5 star accomodation and highly recommended to relatives who have yet to visiti Jacqui and Pearce. Their home is set in peaceful woods with regular animal visitors being deer, groundhogs, woodpeckers and squirrels. (new animals spotted).Last night we had a gourmet meal with a nice bottle of local St Julian's wine at the Chateau . We are being spoilt!

We are about to head off to Chicago to see a Black Hawks Ice Hockey game and also to check out the Caberet Metro (where I am told the Smashing Pumpkins played their first and last gigs).

After this we are heading to Arkansas to meet up with James' family. Looking forward to this as well.

Lots of Love

Michelle+ James