I woke up at 6:15 AM and got ready for the day. The plan was to pack and leave mid-morning, driving partway to Nashville. Shelley woke up at 7:30, and we took our time packing. Since Shelley needed to handle an issue with the Artistry account, I finished packing. We left around 10:30 AM.
Shelley chose to drive the initial stretch of our trip along a more scenic route, which added two hours to the trip compared to the fastest way. Because Highway 52 south of Rochester, MN, was closed, we took a minor detour. Shelley appreciated the scenic views and the numerous horse farms. A highlight was passing through Amish country, where she spotted an Amish buggy with a flat-brimmed hat, making it a memorable part of the day..
We stopped in Dyersville, Iowa, for fuel and a driver change. The cool, cloudy day offered welcome relief from the hot weather. We continued smoothly, reaching Illinois and considering Springfield as an overnight stop. Shelley checked hotel options, but most were priced at $300 or more, possibly due to an event or high rates.
We swapped drivers near Morton, Illinois, and found a Holiday Inn and Suites in Litchfield, IL. We arrived at the hotel by 7:00 PM, checked in, and then searched for a suitable dinner spot. We decided on Nancy’s Pizza, a Chicago-born deep-dish pizza chain. The 9-inch pizza was excellent, but we were only able to finish half of it. Shelley enjoyed a Caesar Salad with arugula, Purshoto, and an elusive spice.
We arrived at the hotel by 8:30 PM, unloaded, and prepared to relax. Shelley attempted to make a reservation for Chattanooga, but the attempt failed, so she spent time resolving the issue.
We have 6 hours of driving tomorrow and hope it goes smoothly.



No comments:
Post a Comment