Monday, 8/23/2010 2:07 AM - Out the door and on the road. Destination: unknown. I'll point my car out of New England and hopefully away from this weather system that's going to stick around and dump rain all over the region all week. I have the important things I'll need: cell phone (not a smart phone,) maps, and experience. No GPS or other handholding devices, where's the adventure in that? I work in technology, and it's good to get away every now and then.
Wilbur Cross and Merritt Parkways, in heavy rain. Jersey barriers leaving no shoulder on either side, and lane markings that are difficult to see. Fortunately traffic is very light, and I don't have to be concerned about the other guy except for rare instances.
Interstate 78, New Jersey. Overhead, clouds. Ahead to the West, clear skies. I can clearly see the change in weather. Looks like going South was the right choice. Where am I going, anyway?
Harrisburg, rush hour, heavy construction. Traffic is not burdensome, and in fact seems very light for a Monday morning near a state capital. Time for a break. Dig through some maps. "Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History" looks interesting if only because it seems obscure. Okay, that's a good focal point for this trip.
The day progresses, with the only point of concern being appropriate locations for bathroom breaks. Drinking a lot of water is good, but comes at a price. I-81, I-68, I-79. Where is everybody? Hey look, a van from Ohio for Dish Network. What's he doing in West Virginia? The van passes, I'm out here alone. Spooky.
A stop for a lunch that is memorable only because it was so greasy. Options are limited in this area so I'll take what I can get, and the local greasy spoon was the first (and only) choice.
Time to assess how I feel. Tired? No. Alert? Yes. Stretch, a glance at the map, and back on my way. Where will I stop for the night, a campground or a hotel? I think this is a good hotel day.
Traffic gets heavier, so now instead of being all alone, I'm only slight alone. Did I miss some important meeting that the rest of the country is attending? Charleston, then Huntington, in the afternoon "rush," which again isn't a big issue to navigate. On into Kentucky.
How am I doing? I think it's time to find a spot for the night. I'm not tired right now, but I know I will be soon. Okay, Mount Sterling looks like a good stopover point. Into the hotel room. A quick inspection and the decision that I'm not staying here due to overwhelming evidence of a bug infestation. I wait patiently for the lobby to clear out of arriving guests to notify the front desk of this condition, gaining a tip on a local eatery. Despite being tired and a bit upset, I keep my cool when the inevitable denial comes forth from the hostess. Still, she doesn't argue and I'm back on my way. Dinner at the bar in downtown Mount Sterling, and then back to I-64.
Lexington, and finally a room that fits what I need. A bonus: the hostess here gives me a significant discount after I recount my story from the previous hotel. This was an 890.8 mile day, which wasn't my intention when I left in the morning. Taking rests every two hours and being in the right mindset helped enormously. I kept my speeds legal and made sure to keep assessing how I felt.
Back in my room, I organize myself for the night and realize I forgot my razor. Two options: find a store and buy one, or start to grow a beard. I choose the latter.