Day 1

    I don't think I've used this site in years. In fact, looking back the last entry is from my South Island Trip in New Zealand! I might have to spend a minute reading about my previous adventures after all this is over and I'm safely in an apartment in Santa Barbara but until then let the Cross Country USA posts begin!

    This past week has been a whirlwind of grabbing everything I thought I could possibly need and then some to prepare for my trip out west. A bajillion tshirts, countless electronics, and a full crate of books later and as of Wednesday of this week I think I had everything assembled for a Thursday departure.

   

    I left Thursday morning at around 7 AM with 845 miles to Chicago, a full pack of gum, half a tank a gas, it was kinda dark, and I put on my sunglasses.

    As you can see, the ride was somewhat...lengthy. But don't worry! I had a couple stops planned and a self-help book to keep me company! The first stop was for Balsam Bagels in Rochester where I was meeting Rachel for brunch, and the ride out was absolutely spectacular. If I wasn't driving, I certainly would have taken pictures with the way an early morning rain had left the green mountains covered in just enough fog to remain mysterious. Otherwise, the ride was relatively uneventful. I was too afraid to start the audiobook I was looking forward to for this trip (Sandman, by Neil Gaiman) or the book I was supposed to read for work (for different reasons) so I stuck with music in the first leg.

    Seeing Rachel was great! She's been in Rochester for a year or so now, most recently working with the Susan B. Anthony museum that's finally been allowed to re-open! The bagel place was right in her neighborhood so we were able to grab a bite and have a look around before I needed to get back on the road. After our goodbyes I put my second destination in the GPS, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.
Cuyahoga Valley is actually the newest National Park having just been inaugurated in 2019. It's also the only National Park in Ohio! I don't actually know how I found out it existed, might have been my Lonely Planet guide...but I certainly wasn't going to miss an opportunity to stretch my legs at what would be around the 8 hour mark! There were some bumps in getting there (just putting in the park and not a destination into the GPS, hair-bend turns taking a little too quickly for a car full of one's life possessions) but in the end - I was able to see Brandywine Falls and the diversion was worth it.

    Apparently there used to be a little village here using the power of the river for a Saw Mill in 1814...but the construction of I-271 wiped most of it out.

    After that, it was time for the final stretch to Chicago! This was by far the longest bit at 5 hours and 43 minutes - but I was able to squeeze in a dinner and a couple snacks at the various rest stops (also all of Ohio rest stops look EXACTLY the same. Had to do a double-take at one) and got 90% through Inspired which was definitely an interesting way to spend my time. Luckily that means I'll have it all done well before getting on to Santa Barbara and I still have Sandman to look forward to!

    I got into Chicago around 9:15, having completely forgotten the clock change, and quickly turned in for the night. Time to rest up before the second big push tomorrow!