The tradition of getaway bitter cold and snow continues

Our view leaving Lapeer

Hard to believe but our next great adventure is upon us. And like most of our winter adventures this one started in the snow and cold of Michigan.  This year all the problems started right at the get-go.

We were slowed by two accidents, both in Flint along I-69 before we were even 30 minutes into the drive. Roads were not really that bad, but it doesn’t take “really that bad” to throw some people into a spin and into each other.

Unlike last year that would be the end of our traffic issues. Icy roads did mean that I drove a little slower, but by the time we arrived in Indiana the roads were wet and the sailing was smooth. I did use more than ½ gallon of windshield spritzer getting to our destination tonight at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Somewhere near Charlotte, MI (no sun)

Last night, and again today we were contacted by our destination hotel to tell us that they had to close down the inn because they were having serious fire alarm difficulties. We have some experience with midnight hotel fire alarms and took them up on their offer to relocate us to a nearby hotel – The Holiday Inn Express which, to be honest, was a step up from the Quality Inn where we usually stay. At the same rate too.

To make good our escape from Michigan this is usually our longest driving day, and today was not an exception. After checking weather forecasts I wanted to get as far south and west today as I could and 700 miles was at the maximum range of my patience and attention.

It was 5 degrees when we left Lapeer and a whopping 29 degrees when we arrived in Ft. Leonard Wood. It should get a little better tomorrow. By better I mean probably windier and much more boring as we ride the asphalt ribbon across Missouri and part of Oklahoma.

Indiana has sun

Leaving is always a mixed blessing. We look forward to seeing and being with the new friends and neighbors we have made in Tucson, but we also miss our friends and family back home. On the way here today I learned that a good friend of mine from the American Legion was taken to a local hospital in serious condition so we are praying for Mel and Lulu tonight.

At some point in Illinois the temperature rose to 22 and at the same time the 60s station we were listening to on XM radio was playing Martha and the Vandellas “Heatwave.” So very appropriate. We also started listening to an audio book given to me by my wonderful and adoring baby sister Pamela.

I must continue to thank my daughter-in-law Toni for teaching Joan a new tradition which involves letting out a lout "Wheeeeee" and a two-handed wave like gesture with each border crossing. Today, of course, that meant three "Wheees."

A "Show Me" State sunset

Knowing my interest in hiking she gave by the book “Wild” the story (and now, or soon to be a movie) about a woman’s adventure on the Pacific Coast Trail. The opening chapters in which she recounted the painful loss of her mother to cancer was especially poignant to me and Joan who have both lost mothers, Joan’s most recently.

A strange round object, which emitted both light and warmth showed up in the sky almost as soon as we crossed the border into Indiana about 10 a.m. “What is this strange object that hangs over the earth so proudly,” we wondered. It is the same object we see almost every day in Tucson.

As I mentioned the ride was pretty uneventful and fortunately we arrived and got through St. Louis ahead of the evening rush hour, which contributed last year to a very late arrival. After checking in to our new hotel we headed to a local Italian restaurant that we have eaten at here twice previously.

Surprise, surprise we arrived to find that while the restaurant was still Italian “The Prime Bistro” now, the old restaurant apparently didn’t make it. Hard to understand how our one visit a year didn’t keep them going.

A very dirty Tahoe

In addition to making our way to Oklahoma City tomorrow I have Joan on the lookout for a car wash as the Black Tahoe looks like it has been whitewashed. Unfortunately it was whitewashed with road salt.

We had a very nice meal there and then headed back to our room for some rest.  And since we are in Missouri here’s a quote I found from Brad Pitt about his home state:

“In Missouri, where I come from, we don’t talk about what we do – we just do it. If we talk about it, it’s seen as bragging.”

Tomorrow won’t be such a vigorous driving day and the weather promises to be an improvement. Until then.

Time out: 7:06 a.m.

Mileage out: 9381

Time in: 5:30 p.m. (Central time)

Mileage in: 9990