Happy Independence Day from Bates City/Oak Grove

Jason and I were fortunate enough to be invited to the Rodge Lodge for dinner on July 3. We got to hang out with Brian and Kathleen while Brian's dad prepared the meal. It was amazing: salad, bread, potatoes and the best steak I've ever tasted in my life. Jason and I agreed that we would be willing to make reservations to come eat and pay for such a great meal. And because we are relatively new to the area and they hadn't gotten sick of us yet, Brian and Kathleen invited us to join them for fireworks at a local school on the 4th. Apparently, people shoot off the fireworks that they bring and enjoy what everyone else brings. We saw a nice display, but the festivities were cut short by the rain, so we headed back to the Rodge Lodge for ice cream. Good times.