Early to bed and early to rise means an early breakfast.
The breakfast room opens at 6, and that’s when I was there. Often I’ll bring food back to my room, but the Weather Channel was on the TV instead of Fox News, so I stayed at a table and ate Raisin Bran with milk, a banana, blueberries, and chocolate chips; an English Muffin with cream cheese and strawberry jam; a tangerine; orange juice and my vitamins. I grabbed a yogurt for later, and filled one of my vacuum bottles with water.
Back in my room I again looked at Google Maps, searching for the “perfect route on the perfect highway with the perfect shoulders.” Listening to “plumbing noises” coming from the bathroom, I went into the hall and flagged down a friendly housekeeper, who arranged for me to move down the hall to a quieter (and bigger) room.
While my wife Sharon hates to move to a different motel room, I jump at the chance if something is bothering me!
Then back to Google Maps. Thankfully, I was interrupted by a text from John, the Highway 50 photographer from yesterday asking me if I’d like to have lunch at the NMN Club, a popular place in Flora (the letters mean No More Nicotine). We were joined by his girlfriend Debbie who told me the incredible story of finding her birth family. Afterwards, John drove me around town, showing me local industries and parks.
After much deliberation, I’ve decided that my final destination will be Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (rather than Coney Island). My goal is coast-to-coast. So while some friends and family members will be disappointed, I have to go with the most accessible and least scary route.
0 miles today.
@ Flora, Illinois