By Lee Ross

Today’s drive was all about western and southern Missouri. We woke up in Kansas City and did our first report from Independence. This was appropriate as today is President’s Day, and Independence was the home of Harry Truman.

With that in mind, we visited the old soda shop, Clinton’s, where a young Harry Truman served up sodas and mopped the floors for $3 a week. Today, Clinton’s is still a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy something to eat or drink. We met one lady who was quite proud to show off her Hillary Clinton button.

Those two Clinton references were not enough for us on this day, as we made our way to Clinton, MO and met an unemployed man who says John Edwards was his man. He’s the first person we’ve met so far who has said he’s supported the former N.C. senator.From Clinton, we worked our way down Highway 13 and found ourselves at the race brothers farm store. There we learned that Roger DeForest’s dad bought the busy supply store from the brothers back in the 70’s but decided to keep the name. Now, Roger and his brother run the show. Roger says he’s still looking and waiting for a candidate to show up who can articulate good solid positions on the economy and health care.

Our final stop in the afternoon was the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield. And it was a fantastic afternoon indeed. We met Kirk Hansen and his wife Marcia. Kirk, a registered Republican, voted for Obama on Super Tuesday. The Hansen’s who have worked at the caverns for decades were most generous to take us around the caves after our report. 150,000 people each year take the tour. And we were thankful to have been given the opportunity too. Caves are always neat to see with the limestone formations going upwards and downwards. It was also 60 degrees inside the cave. BY FAR the warmest we’ve felt on this trip.

Off to Branson!