On the road at last

30 May.

It’s here. Months of planning are over, the rig is packed, and whatever is forgotten will stay forgotten. The house is so clean that I asked Patrice if we were planning on selling it. Now the house is in the rear-view mirror, as we embarked on our 10,000 mile odyssey.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

It was a gorgeous day for a drive, and beautiful country to drive through. The Smokies of Tennessee, the Appalachians of southern Kentucky, and the plains of southern Indiana.

As we entered Indiana, the weather started to close in, and we ran through rain on and off, but the bulk of it held off until after we parked in Columbus, Indiana.

31 May.

Another late start, but better today than yesterday. Only 90 minutes late, instead of 3 hours. A cold front came through during the night, and we left Columbus in a cold gray drizzle. Patrice drew the first shift, which gave me the stint through Gary and Chicago. I drew the short straw; 3.5 hours and 140 mile. I definitely do NOT want to come back this way.

On the road from Columbus IN to Oakdale WI. Windmill farm, Chicago, and a Wisconsin farm
On the road from Columbus IN to Oakdale WI.

But as we left Chicago, the sun finally broke out, and we had a beautiful afternoon drive.

On the road from Columbus IN to Oakdale WI. Windmill farm, Chicago, and a Wisconsin farm
On the road from Columbus IN to Oakdale WI. A Wisconsin farm

Finally settled in in Oakdale, WI, in a little camp off the interstate.

North to Alaska

T-5 days and counting.

The rig is serviced and ready to go. We still have to pack and do some last minute shopping, but come Saturday, das Abentueur beginnt.

We should cover about 10,000 miles in about 61 days.