Today I packed my cat, two snakes, a couple dozen rodents, and as many plants as I could stuff into my little car among the quilts and assorted warm clothes and snacks, and finally hit the highway.
I’m moving! All by my damn self, under my own steam. It’s a nice feeling of autonomy.
Currently I’m in Arkansas and may putter around Hot Springs for a bit tomorrow. We went there for vacations a few times when I was a kid, and I have fond memories of soaking my feet in the steaming pools among the other tourists, everyone chatting amiably despite being complete strangers.
I’m taking I 30 to Little Rock, and then … I dunno, looks like a few options for the next route segment. I’d much rather go through Illinois instead of Indiana (because dispensaries) and am not worried about Chicago traffic anyway.
OH!!! I could buy more oscypek! And other Polish snacks! Why didn’t I even think of that?!?
It’s settled then, going to Chicago after Hot Springs/Little Rock. Anyone have suggestions about which roads to take, or avoid?
Ultimately, my final destination is Grand Rapids, where I’m staying with a friend so I can look at places to live in person. Dunno where, exactly, though. As long as I have good internet access, I’m OK with rural areas.
Wherever you stay en route, be sure to watch the weather on TV. This winter has been MEAN with multi-state mega storms! If forecasters predict a mega storm on your trip, plan to stay an extra night.
Purps
I pm’d you. Your box is full.
I was gonna tell you that Racing Season is on in HotSprings. Traffic will be a bitch.
Don’t speed in Northern Arkansas. Speed traps everywhere.
Oscypek is a smoked cheese. I started a thread a few months ago asking where to find it in Chicago (sorry, I’m posting by phone or I’d link) and several Dopers came through with suggestions.
I’m through Missouri already and into Illinois. The deli I wanted to revisit is on the northwest side of Chicago, and everyone is pretty damn tired of being cooped up - including me - but dangit I WANNA.
I’ll decide on the drive up.
OH!!! As I was approaching the border, two bald eagles flew right over my car! Few seconds later, I was crossing the mighty Mississippi. I swear I heard the swelling of violins and trumpets playing patriotic music.
JFC … between the friend I’m staying with, the friend who connected us, and my mother, it’s a nonstop stream of mssgs. “Where are you now?” “Why’s it taking so long?” “Have you passed X yet?” “Where are you spending the night?” “Why would you take X highway? Why didn’t you take Y instead?”
I’m about to throw my fucking phone out the goddamn window.
Since you shouldn’t be looking at your phone while you’re driving anyway, I think you have permission to ignore such messages until you feel like responding to them.
Stay safe, friend! Both while driving and wherever you end up staying along the way. As much as I like my cozy little apartment and a nice job, there has to be something freeing about just hitting the road and seeing where you end up.
Hope the pets aren’t getting too stressed out, lol. My mom and I helped my brother move back home to IA from Nashville, and had his ornery calico in the cab of the moving truck with us for part of the time. She continuously voiced her displeasure with my poor mom’s driving. Was pretty good in the hotel, though. My cat would NOT travel very well. He’s a constantly whiner.
We had a cat who meow-ed like a metronome for 549 miles. And that was WITH pet tranquilizers, max dose. It got to be annoying as Hell…but also hilarious at times. Honestly, the cat was more regular than an atomic clock!
~VOW
