ping goes to memphis

Ping poses at Mammoth Springs, Arkansas.

 Mammoth Springs, Ark., about a half hour from the Goose, pumps out 9 million gallons of water a minute. The Ozarks have a wealth of water, but the people are poor. As we headed to Memphis we passed town after town with opened churches and shuttered businesses—including, alas, the cowboy boot store where I have bought my boots for years. Mind you, I can't wear them any more, so it's a nostalgic rather than practical loss.
  "I feel so lucky," Ping said, as we passed the falling down houses and dirt-yard trailers. "I have what I need. I have enough money. I can travel and do what I want. These people are so poor."
   I feel lucky too.

Settled in Memphis at the Marriott, a cut above my previous choice.