Day 2: Indianapolis to Columbia

It's so hot! But had a great day visiting old friends. First, met Axton Betz in Greenup, Illinois. She's a child ID theft researcher (and a victim herself). Met her in Omaha two years ago. Now, she's doing great and teaching at Eastern Illinois.

Then, I got to Columbia to my old stomping grounds -- I earned a master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri in 1996. I met Kate Akers there, and we are still close. Her daughter Mara wasn't too sure about Rusty at first -- ok, she spent a little time on the kitchen counter when he first went scurrying around the house, but they became fast friends. Even after Rusty stole her stuffed animals. [gallery ids="262,263,264,266,267,268,270,271,272,273,274,275,277,278"]