Enough With the Snow

Waking up this morning I kept hearing thumps on the roof of Plan B, and thought it must be some squirrels getting their morning workout, but when I opened the door to have a look outside, I realized it was big clumps of snow falling from the tree branches above. To think I actually debated whether or not to leave the snow brush in the truck before leaving Collingwood! I checked the radar and found I was sitting in the middle of a big “snow blob” (meteorologist terminology) but just 60 miles west was substantially clear…….decided that a nice breakfast, shower/shave, was in order, and I would let the clearing come to me!

An hour or so, and a mini snowman later, it was time to hit the road. Conditions on the Interstate became progressively better heading west and was making good time…….hell, I’ll be in Seattle with days to spare! Just when you think things are going great……uh oh……Chicago area traffic kicks in…….brutal…….try changing lanes as a 45′ long package with cars zipping all around you……lots of respect gained for anyone driving an oversized vehicle daily. When you are so used to being the fast aggressive guy on the highway, cutting through traffic with the greatest of ease, it is tough to take the fact that you have now become that idiot with the trailer who won’t move his ass and get out of the way.

Nonetheless, Chicago now behind me, I started thinking about targets for today’s drive……..how far could I go……..where can I find a spot for the night? Almost everyone has asked me if I have ever stayed in the Walmart parking lot, and I guarantee you that before this trip is over, I will do it…….it has to be before Jutta comes on board, because we all know that is never going to happen. I think I could reach Sioux City, but maybe more realistic is Des Moines, and that is where I sit tonight. Crossed the Mississippi at Davenport, Iowa……..what a huge river that is……and then started across the Iowa heartland. The winds picked up like there was no tomorrow……seriously…….north to south steady right across the highway, with gusty sections……..Plan B, and this whole Airstream thing really have it together. I passed a number of higher profile, flat sided rigs that were seriously shifting in the wind……..I wouldn’t want to be driving one of those, but the Airstream was great. Lower to the ground, rounded sides/front…….not that it was a breeze (lol) but slowed down a little and really started to feel comfortable after a while.

I found a really super RV Park on the west side of Des Moines…..”Timberline”, like if any of you might actually be coming through here with an RV………what are the chances?…….actually in Waukee, Iowa…….the Waukee Taukee was invented here, and they have a huge factory on the edge of town……..just one of many interesting facts I will be sharing along the way.

I think I’m getting punchy……..must be the time change…….I am now an hour behind you, so remember that when you call……..going to bed…….chat tomorrow. I still haven’t figured out the site navigation, so not sure where this will end up when I press publish……working on it