NY to CA-2

Day 3 Monday 7/10/17

Palindrome Day

Today's entry once again focuses on the journey. This morning I woke up to a very light rain with the temperature at 65°. I actually let the heat run for awhile to take the chill out. After my morning rituals, I departed 10:20 am and got back onto I-80 westbound. Traffic was more than yesterday as I had anticipated. Some observations during this five hour, 269 mile trip (including a one hour stop for lunch and fuel) and the temperature at 82°:

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• The number of RV's travelling this Monday was astounding. All sizes, classes, make and models.
• Normally on highways in the east we see a cab pulling two trailers in tandem. Only 13 states, mostly in the west where roads are flat and straight are there three trailers or "pups" being pulled by a cab. It's something to see. Questions like, "How much must they pay in tolls?" Or, "Is there a different pay scale for driving such huge rigs?" 
•  The I-80 of PA and OH was in better shape than IN. It did improve the further west I traveled.
• Leaving the rolling hills of PA, I traveled to the F-L-A-T lands of OH and IN. Farmlands on either side to the horizon with clumps of wilderness interspersed among the young sprouting crops...looked mostly like corn and I'm betting in the adjoining acreage, alfalfa was growing to put the nutrients back into the soil for next year's crop rotation.
• And then there was the weather. At one point on the Ohio Turnpike (I-80) the torrential downpour lasting about 10 minutes decreased the visibility down to a car length or two at most. 70 mph driving was rapidly reduced to 35 mph with flashers.

A view of this weather map above shows the blue dot (my location) and what I was about to encounter. Around noon, the sky turned ugly and vengeful. The clouds lowered and grew dark. Before I knew it, day had turned into night. The darkness overhead was awesome. It gave me a hint of what to expect August 21st when I'll be witnessing the total solar eclipse in Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC. There was no evidence of tornadic activity but this weather front I drove into had all the makings of a tornado we see so often occurring somewhere in Tornado Alley on the Weather Channel. I'll be driving through it tomorrow and Wednesday. As I drove along, I felt no wind gusts, no lightning or thunder but was happy to see the sky get brighter as I continued west.

At last I arrived at the South Bend/Elkhart North KOA in Granger, Indiana. This campground is but 5 minutes from Michigan state line to the north. I've concluded fours hours is the perfect drive time for me. I'm happy to report these campgrounds are getting better and better. This one is well run; lots of workers, lots of cabins to keep clean, etc. I'm loving these choices made (so far).

After 262 miles, Winnie settles in site #49

After speaking with Patricia Schenk, co-owner of this KOA (the only KOA that serves gelato), and telling her I was from Peekskill...wouldn't you know, she knows Ernst M., who owns the RV repair shop on Park Street. Check the "What Are The Chances" tab above for this new addition. Remember to click on the back button that will bring you back to this blog. She also recommended the Italian restaurant, Capri right next door within walking distance. 

Delicious, creamy Caesar salad
followed by....

...Filetto Dell' Alpino
8 oz of Tender Filet of Beef sauteed in
Red Wine Sauce with Baby Portobella
Mushrooms and sides of pan roasted potato
quarters and zucchini.

And did I mention a small
Tiramisu for dessert? Sorry.

Day 4 Tuesday 7/11/17 

Today's trip was uneventful. 272 miles covered today. I went out of my way to enjoy a Pizza Hut lunch, something I haven't had it a very long time. They're more plentiful out here it seems. Every day there's also been a fill up for ol' Winnie. She's been purring right along and, averaging 70 mph and 16 miles per gallon, does seem fazed at all. The landscape continues to be flat,

farmlands are more extensive in that all views of the growing corn extend right up to the distant horizon. The Interstate (I-80) traffic was light to moderate with intermittent one lane closures due to on-going construction. The road markings and signage as you approach these areas have been excellent.  Plenty of time and distance to know what to expect and how to adjust your driving for it. Countless truckers were at their daily job of transporting as one truck's logo put it, "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime." Unlike a lot of people, I find truckers courteous, friendly and dedicated professional drivers. 
I arrived at the Rock Island/Quad Cities KOA at 3:30 pm. Once again the campground, the owner/managers and staff were polite as could be. The term, Quad Cities, refers to a region of four counties in northwest Illinois and Southeastern Iowa. The urban core consists of four principal cities: Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois. I was escorted to my site as the temps reached high in the 80'a with a little humidity thrown in. I was alone in my area but for a brief time before the surrounding sites filled up.

Before I knew it RV's surround me on
all sides. A few of the big Class A's were
headed up to the Winnebago Rally in Forest
City, Iowa where they are manufactured.

I guess I should have planned on attending but I didn't; oh well, I can read all about it here . After a few minutes a Class B pulled in and out came the mommy, the daddy, their grown son and T-W-O (2) St. Bernards. Their RV wasn't that big, but: 

Pop immediately took care of their needs...
Lots of water. It has to get really cozy in there
with 3 adults and 2 Saint Bernards. Wonder if they
let them sleep on the beds.

At 9:55 pm the train whistles announces its passage near nearby and now I'm wondering how many freights will travel through my mind tonight. I entered Central Standard Time; my on-board Rand McNally GPS announced it and poof, I gained an hour. Now there's a weird situation. When flying we never give it a thought. Driving, however, gives a slightly different slant on it. How would you set your watch if you straddled that imaginary line? Or what if I backed up? Better question, why would you want to? Time for bed. Body is at midnight, clock is at 11.  Tomorrow I'll land in Nebraska. I'm passing right through Iowa without sleeping there. It's only 200 miles wide and I plan to drive 326. I, therefore won't be adding that state to my growing number located on the map on the rear slide-out.

13 states will be added by the end of this trip.

And so, dear reader, another two days gone by. 1,016 miles traveled so far, 1,954 miles to go. Thanks to those who took the time to write comments on the blog page or that emailed me directly. It's nice to read your kind words and know that some of you are enjoying the trip with me. Till next time, stay well.