Photos.
Our last day began in Rockford, Illinois. It was raining, again ... hard, and the ride to Madison, not far from the Illinois border, was a little scary. Water splashed up from the trucks and the usual contingent poor and/or inexperienced drivers was out there in full force.
The skies started to clear once we got into Wisconsin and by the time we stopped for a break, it was almost sunny. OK: nice enough for me to figure I could drive without the fear of all hell breaking loose in yet another downpour. Turned out to be an unfounded fear.
We had to wait till Menomonie for a rest stop, so I ended up driving quite a long time, something of a redemption for me, because I did a good job, under conditions that weren't too demanding. By the time we got to the Minnesota border, spring was in the air and we were so happy to be home.
I love Minnesota!
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Just the Driver
Photos.
A decade ago, Bob jokingly referred to himself as "just the driver", when I wanted to go somewhere he felt lukewarm about. His reference was the phrase "just a driver", in Eastern Promises, and since then, I've often thought that "just a driver" is a very good thing indeed. Today was no exception.
The rain began during the night, and when we left Athens, Alabama, this morning, I thought the worst was over. I couldn't have been more wrong. The downpour was fairly steady between Athens and Nashville, but delays made the mid-morning drive through the city more challenging than it should have been.
I drove for about 100 miles at one point, when the rain seemed to have stopped, but I still got hit by buckets of water: fine time to discover I didn't know how to find the wipers in Bob's Traverse. Later on, I was planning to drive about 100 miles, leaving the last 100 to Bob. However, soon into my stint I couldn't see a thing and I had to turn into a rest stop, giving up my little turn at the wheel. I was shaking and teary.
Not surprisingly, Bob was in his element. The rain -- literally obscuring the highway and all visibility -- didn't seem to phase him. He plodded on "in a straight line" (!), not knowing if and when the road turned. Soon after we got out of the worst of it, we saw three vehicles in the ditch,. "A real blind-out", said my intrepid and cheerful husband, looking at the cars facing in different directions on both sides of the highway.
I was freaking out, unprepared to end my life on a messy Illinois roadway, but I guess today was not the day. We continued on our journey and checked into the Rockford Hampton Inn sometime after 6:30 p.m. Bob was fresh and ready to go out for dinner. We ate at the Tavern on Clark, and our meal (burger for Bob, chicken sandwich for me) was very good.
Home tomorrow.
A decade ago, Bob jokingly referred to himself as "just the driver", when I wanted to go somewhere he felt lukewarm about. His reference was the phrase "just a driver", in Eastern Promises, and since then, I've often thought that "just a driver" is a very good thing indeed. Today was no exception.
The rain began during the night, and when we left Athens, Alabama, this morning, I thought the worst was over. I couldn't have been more wrong. The downpour was fairly steady between Athens and Nashville, but delays made the mid-morning drive through the city more challenging than it should have been.
I drove for about 100 miles at one point, when the rain seemed to have stopped, but I still got hit by buckets of water: fine time to discover I didn't know how to find the wipers in Bob's Traverse. Later on, I was planning to drive about 100 miles, leaving the last 100 to Bob. However, soon into my stint I couldn't see a thing and I had to turn into a rest stop, giving up my little turn at the wheel. I was shaking and teary.
Not surprisingly, Bob was in his element. The rain -- literally obscuring the highway and all visibility -- didn't seem to phase him. He plodded on "in a straight line" (!), not knowing if and when the road turned. Soon after we got out of the worst of it, we saw three vehicles in the ditch,. "A real blind-out", said my intrepid and cheerful husband, looking at the cars facing in different directions on both sides of the highway.
I was freaking out, unprepared to end my life on a messy Illinois roadway, but I guess today was not the day. We continued on our journey and checked into the Rockford Hampton Inn sometime after 6:30 p.m. Bob was fresh and ready to go out for dinner. We ate at the Tavern on Clark, and our meal (burger for Bob, chicken sandwich for me) was very good.
Home tomorrow.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
See You Next Year, St. Pete Beach!
Yesterday we packed up and visited a couple of our favorite places before settling down for the evening. It was hot and the beach was very crowded, so packed that I thought to myself that it was definitely time to return to Minnesota. We had intended to stop on Pass-a-Grille for a beer, but there wasn't a parking space anywhere.
We had dinner at Oyster Shucker after 4:00 PM Mass. Bob thought we should sit indoors but I lobbied for one more outside meal ... and I have to say that he was right. The heat was sweltering and the glare from the setting sun left me wishing I had kept my mouth shut. Nevertheless, we had an excellent dinner (salmon for me, mahi-mahi for Bob) and then headed home to finish loading up the vehicle.
This morning we were on the road by 6:45. No problems around Tampa, but the drive to Alabama on Hwy 231 -- stop and go traffic and lots of it -- was time-consuming and exhausting. What am I talking about? I myself drove only about 70 miles, all in Florida. I cracked the whip to get to Athens, Alabama, this evening.
We're in a Holiday Inn Express under renovation. Everything is brand new and there are enough wall outlets for all our phones, laptop and iPad. The desk chair is modern and comfortable, and the desk lamp is a touch device. I also love the smell of new construction, so I really am perfectly happy.
On to Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois tomorrow. I booked a room at the Hampton Inn in Rockford for the night, so no worry about a dump for our last evening on the road.
We had dinner at Oyster Shucker after 4:00 PM Mass. Bob thought we should sit indoors but I lobbied for one more outside meal ... and I have to say that he was right. The heat was sweltering and the glare from the setting sun left me wishing I had kept my mouth shut. Nevertheless, we had an excellent dinner (salmon for me, mahi-mahi for Bob) and then headed home to finish loading up the vehicle.
This morning we were on the road by 6:45. No problems around Tampa, but the drive to Alabama on Hwy 231 -- stop and go traffic and lots of it -- was time-consuming and exhausting. What am I talking about? I myself drove only about 70 miles, all in Florida. I cracked the whip to get to Athens, Alabama, this evening.
We're in a Holiday Inn Express under renovation. Everything is brand new and there are enough wall outlets for all our phones, laptop and iPad. The desk chair is modern and comfortable, and the desk lamp is a touch device. I also love the smell of new construction, so I really am perfectly happy.
On to Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois tomorrow. I booked a room at the Hampton Inn in Rockford for the night, so no worry about a dump for our last evening on the road.
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About Me
- Catherine Hennessey
- The first blog was a simple travel journal written during an Alaskan cruise in 2008. I document all of our trips, and refer to my posts fairly frequently, especially when we're planning a return visit to a destination. I enjoy recording events in both words and pictures -- blogging is one more way of staying in touch with family and friends in this wonderful, connected world. I've been retired since April of 2013, and there's no shortage of things to do or activities to enjoy. I enjoy writing about everything ... and nothing.