Minnesota Trip 2011 - Day Two

The "call of the open road" is a somewhat trite phrase, yet it does describe one of the appealing aspects of auto travel in these United States. To be able to get in the car, head down the highways in whatever direction one chooses and know there will be something new to be seen is thrilling.

On this second day of this trip we left Austintown, OH a little after 7:45 a.m. and arrived in DeForest, WI a little after 4:15 p.m. Our route took us on the Ohio Turnpike, the Indiana and Illinois Tollroads, and Interstate #90 in Wisconsin. The roads were again not too crowded, the sky was alternately clear blue or scudded with the fleecy fair-weather clouds and our conversation ranged from concern about Hurricane Irene to the deplorable state of the Yankees pitching.

After arriving in DeForest we headed for the Dane County Token Creek Park for a leisurely walk on the nature trail there -- a locale we had discovered on a previous version of the annual pilgimage. With the sunshine on our backs we strolled the little boardwalk to see goldfinches and Monarch butterflies amid the wildflowers.

I'm wondering what will happen to this call of the open road when our oil supplies run out. Long-range travel in electric vehicles might become an impossiblity given the shorter life of batteries. Or maybe someone will find another source of energy for internal combustion motors and extended-range batteries. Maybe the Holiday Inn Expresses will provide outlets for overnight battery charging while you enjoy their hospitality.

Meanwhile, I'm glad to be able to answer the call of the open road. Tomorrow we arrive in Minnesota to begin the next phase of this adventure. I'll keep you posted...

Trip for Pamela's Wedding

On Wednesday, September 24, we begin our trek to Tennessee for the wedding of my niece, Pamela Smith. (You can see her wedding blog at http://mrandmrswatson.com/blogger)

Pamela is the oldest daughter of my younger sister Louise, who with husband Doug, live in Murfreesboro, TN.

All forecasts seem to indicate good weather for the trip, although there are some rumors of gasoline shortages in the South. I'm hoping we won't encounter that.

More to come...

Minnesota Trip - Day Nine

(LaPorte, IN - July 3, 2008) The journey home began this morning in Eagan, MN and ended tonight in LaPorte, IN where fireworks are being set off outside our hotel as I write.

Until we got to Chicago, the travel was fun and easy. We traveled through rolling countryside with crops growing and livestock dotting the fields. The trip around Chicago was grueling, partly because it was rush hour and the start of a long weekend, and partly because the Illinois Division of Highways conspired to create several long stretches of detours around construction.

We're grateful for a good night's rest and an Independence Day to celebrate tomorrow.

More to come....