Day 11 - Chicago, IL to Cleveland, OH or is this day 12?... I don't know anymore because I think I'm living in a time warp. Driving across the country can do that to you. And all of this is one happy blur. AustinDALLASMemphisST.LOUISChicago and today Cleveland.
While the journey is great fun, there are certain road hazards I'd like to point out to anyone considering zooming across the US in their favorite automobile. Monster bugs the size of small birds thrive in the Midwest. I've never seen as many giant bugs splattered on windshields, grills and bumpers. Huge, sticky, messy globs of bug guts served on windows daily. Eeewwwwww!
And then, there are the trucks. I'm talking semi-trucks. BIG ones - the kind that could eat a MINI. Luckily, (for the most part) they play nice. But it is nerve wrecking to constantly be stuck next to a big rig who is going faster than the speed limit and swaying slightly with the weight of its load. Thanks to several of these guys, the coins are piling up in the jar.
My new, adopted big brothers on this trip insisted that I had a driver today in the form of my now favorite Frenchman, Alex Sitbon. We had a great time cursing truck drivers and marveling at the size of the insects that kept splattering themselves on the windshield.
The motoring group today included Seattle motorers Ryan and Tracey, Philly motorers Jen and Matt and WRR men DB and Todd - only I think we lost DB and Todd early in the adventure leaving Chicago (they caught up with us later.)
Toll roads were the order of the day - something we don't have too many of here in California. Thank god I'd discovered Illinois' I-Pass prior to setting out on MTTS. Best $40 I ever spent! We literally jetted through the toll road stations, slowing down only to wait for our friends who had to throw money at the gate.
Today's route appeared to be uneventful - a straight shot through farmland to Cleveland. But we were in for a little surprise...
It seems there is museum for just about everything here in America, including one for Recreational and Motor Home vehicles. The stop of the day landed us at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN.
Which actually was pretty cool. Many of the old motor homes, campers and such are 1 or 3 of a kind. Apparently we have always been a land of campers...
Honestly, I would have never come here - despite a not so secret desire to build a Teardrop trailer and to live in an Airstream. It was well worth the visit.
After lunch at the Chubby Trout - the gang set out determined to get to Ohio. But road construction seemed to get in the way, forcing a late arrival. We went directly to the evening event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A sensory overload experience for certain! I could have spent a week in this space. I got to hop on board Johnny Cash's 1979 Tour Bus, the JC Unit One! Talk about a piece of history. If you are ever in Cleveland you must visit.
Calling it an early night - I slipped out before the sunset to my room at the Hyatt Cleveland Arcade.
Bonus! I was upgraded to a suite. Luck is riding with me for sure.
Good night Cleveland - you do really ROCK!
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