Epic Road Trip 2017: Days 1 to 6

The 11,000 plus mile journey begins.  For much of the trip I had the freedom of not having a timeframe.  Randomness can be liberating.  However, at the beginning of my journey, I had to get from A to B within two days.  

August 1, 2017

Starting Point: Dayton Ohio

Destination: Arrive in Grand Forks, North Dakota by August 2

Total miles: Over 1,000

Why North Dakota, you might be wondering? As with most things in life, there are pros and cons.  This trip of mine was no different.  I went to North Dakota in order to lay my father to rest.  I made the journey in his final car, a 2011 Hyundai (with incredibly bald tires, I might add).

Mood for the day: Despite the circumstances regarding my father, I feel upbeat and excited about the journey.  

Music: Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild

I stop off in Indy to eat and make some copies of my anarchy documents. (more on these in future posts)

While enjoying coffee and an omelette, it dawns on me that it might get cold up north (Montana, Idaho, etc.) while sleeping in a car.  I might need a blanket, a jacket, and a pillow! Fully armed with this genius idea, I find a Ross and find 

The indispensable pizza pillow and.....

A plushy blanket that would, in the near future, literally save my ass

Later on in the day I stopped to get gas at the first truck stop I came across on I-90 just as I crossed from Illinois into Wisconsin.  This was my first time in Wisconsin.  I decided to use the services while there and was given a very unwelcome welcome to Wisconsin.  While finding relief in a stall, a head popped over the wall and took a peek at me! 

I didn't know if I should laugh, scream, or what, so I did nothing.  I'm not holding this incident against the state of Wisconsin, but....well, it wasn't a good first impression.

Anyway....

The sun set on me in Wisconsin

And I got some sleep at a rest area just west of Eau Claire.

Day 2

Woke up at the crack of dawn, which is easy to do when you're sleeping in a car.  

Mood: Tired yet relieved that I got so far on the first day.  

Music: Scott Joplin Ragtime Piano

Surprise for the day: Lack of mosquitoes. 

I went to the Mall of America with a thought in mind to spread the good word of anarchy at one of the shops there.  Alas, mother nature had other ideas.  I had a stomach illness and had to medicate.  

Grand Forks arrival: 5pm.  

The next four days were spent with long lost cousins and other friends and relatives.  

More to come soon (and much better scenery)!

Thanks to @papa-pepper for the logo

Thanks to @hilarski for the steeming cats