After checking out of the ghetto motel, I went directly across the street from it to grab a bite at the closest McDonald’s. Sometimes you need a McMuffin to get the day started. Besides I wasn’t too confident in the Super 8 Motel continental breakfast.
When I turned my car on, I remembered that Friday evening my check engine light came on. The car itself seemed to be driving fine, but the light came on. It persisted through a few restarts (I.e. Bathroom breaks, gas, etc) but ultimately near the end of the day yesterday went off. I will scan my car when I get home, but I’m not particularly worried. It’s a VW and they love their CELs.
By this point I was just across the border from Iowa into Missouri. I still had a long way to go on I-29 to get to Kansas City. I drove and drove and drove some more. Unfortunately, most of my drive this day was in the rain. It wasn’t continuous, particularly from Kansas City to St. Louis, but after St. Louis the rain became more constant and steady. It definitely meant keeping speeds down. At one point I came up on a BMW that had spun out, likely hydroplaned going too fast in the wet weather. There were also more cops out on this day than I remember. I stayed close to the speed limit, remembering the day I was on the way out and almost got pulled over. I saw at least one (maybe 2) pulled over that had earlier passed me.
Eventually I got to Kansas City and changed to I-70 from I-29. Eventually I got to St. Louis and changed from I-70 to I-64. As mentioned yesterday, I like I-64 better, although the scenery isn’t going to be great today, since it’s raining again.
The first attempted stop for the evening was Lexington, KY. I saw on the blue services board one of the hotels I like. I took the exit and found the place to be booked. I got on my phone and did some scouting and found much of Lexington either booked or for high rates. Apparently some “horse thing” (front desk’s words) was going on this weekend. Alas.
In an attempt to not be burned again, I researched a few cities ahead and found a good hotel (Holiday Inn Express) in Ashland, KY nearly on the border of WV. I booked online and even paid the $9 extra for the King Suite. It still came under $110, which combined with last night’s crappy accommodations means I spent less in 2 nights than if I had gotten a room in Council Bluffs, Iowa or Lexington KY. The downside is I had to drive another 1.5 hours.
During that drive, I realized that I may not have enough gas to make it all the way from Lexington to Ashland without stopping. I kept an eye out for gas stations but they were few and far between on this part of the state. Eventually I came to an exit advertising a gas station, but when I got there it was closed. I soldiered on, keeping my speeds down to preserve gas. Eventually I came upon Grayson KY and there were open gas stations. Maybe I would’ve made it the extra 15 miles but I didn’t want to get stranded in the rainy dark waiting for AAA in an area I’m unfamiliar with. I got awesome gas mileage though. GTI rocks!
At last, after an all day drive, I made it to my comfy hotel. I checked in and slept wonderfully. I feel refreshed and eager to make it home today. I can’t wait to see Nancy and Blizzard! I miss my own bed, I miss Asian food, I miss not having to spend money everywhere I turn.
So, today is the final day of this journey. It was quick. I sure didn’t see anything in any cities (except small parts here and there like St. Louis’ arch) but I saw some beautiful scenery, drove some awesome roads, and enjoyed the experience. The next several days after I get back will be doing various things like washing my car, house chores I haven’t kept up with, etc. I plan to relax and sleep in. I will not be back to work still for several days.
I certainly will do another trip like this some day. I love road trips, and driving. Driving all day doesn’t really bother me too much, as long as there isn’t much traffic. What I would really like to do is learn to fly and do some cross country flights. I predict in a few years I may have to make another blog about my cross country journey in a small plane. That sounds pretty fun and I can’t wait to do it!
Well, I need to get ready and get on the road for this final drive back to home.
