An Ancestor I Admire

        It’s hard to pick one.  Some are just names and I really don’t know them.  Others were in my life briefly.  Others, like my parents, have been in my life for many years.

(1)       My parents – the love and devotion they had for each other.  Dad passed away in February 2024 and Mom is still thriving.  They raised a family on a very limited income (and they never let it be known).  We were never without food, clothes or shelter.  We had a lot of good times and did a lot of things together as a family.  That is rare now a days.

(2)      

Grandma Fern – a strong, independent woman who raised nine children during the 1930’s through the 1950’s.  Money was tight and it seems like they moved a few times during the early years of their marriage.  She suffered a stroke that took away her speech, and she had to learn to write with her left hand (this happened just before I was born).

(3)       The ones I can’t name – living through the various wars (like Thomas Stead – Civil War) or moving to a new country and learning the language (Kludt, Ahrendt, and Reisner families).  Or even establishing a new nation (Patrick Porter & Thomas Pinson, to name a couple).

Great Granparents w/family
William Kludt & Susan Reisner

 

Grandparents Ed Kludt
& Bernice Swinehart

Great Grandparents
Bernice Stead & 
Raymond Reynoldson

Great Grandparents
Harry Swinehart &
Bertha Davis

2025 Road Trip - Historic Lincoln Highway

 This trip has been in the planning stages for almost a year.  This highway was one of the earliest transcontinental highways across the US.  It starts in Time Square, New York City and ends in San Francisco, CA.  It was built in 1913 with changes made to the route up through 1928.  We won’t be doing the New York or New Jersey section.  We will be starting in Sacramento, Calif and end just outside of Philadelphia, PA.  Our plans are to follow as much of the oldest section as possible.  Current highway numbers include 30 and 50. 

We’re going to take I-5 south to Sacramento.  We’ll probably take a detour off the route in Ely and continue with Hwy 50 to Great Basin NP then on to Hwy 6 to I-15 in Utah then get onto Hwy 89 to I-84 to Echo before merging onto I-80/189 and going into Wyoming.  We will pretty much follow I-80 or Hwy 30 through Wyoming into Nebraska.  Nebraska will be Hwy 30 for most of the way (except Omaha) on into Iowa.  Just before Agnew, we will be taking Emerson Rd into Sterling, following Hwy 2 to 52 to 38 to Geneva, IL then head South on 31 then reconnect to Hwy 30 to Valparaiso.  Taking Hwy 2 to 421 to 20 to 933 to 33 (outside of Elkhart, IN) to Fort Wayne before getting back on Hwy 30 again.  We will be going by Shanksville, PA so we may stop and see Flight 93 Memorial again before moving on.  We will leave the Lincoln Hwy and get onto I-476 to head to Conshohocken just outside of Philadelphia.  We will spend a few days there, visiting the sites before heading back home.  We may go towards Hershey and it wouldn’t hurt to see Punxsutawyney (got to see the groundhog, Phil!).  We also thought about visiting Butler again.  I would also like to go to Cedarburg, West Bend, and Grafton in Wisconsin before heading northward to get onto Hwy 2 to go to Glacier NP.  From there we will probably take Hwy 95 south to Hwy 12 west to home.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

We got up about the same time we normally do on Sundays.  Except, this time, we didn’t eat breakfast at  home.  We loaded up the car after we finished packing.  We pulled out of the driveway at 9:07a.  Our starting odometer reading is 66,858.  We ate breakfast at Home Town Restaurant in Centralia then went to Safeways to pickup a couple of items needed for the trip, including ice for the ice chest.  David realized he forgot something so we went back to the house.  We got on I-5 South at 10:37.   Purchased gas in Aurora, Or about 1p. Next stop will be lunch.  1:30p we stopped in Salem for lunch at Burger King.  On the road again at 1:50.  Pulled into Santiam Rest Area at 2:10 for a break.  Back to the freeway already in progress.  Major back-up north bound due to bad accident.  Another rest break at 3:55 at Cabin Creek Rest Area.  Back on the road at 4:14p.  We switched drivers (Marcy started out).  Another rest stop just North of Grants Pass (Manzanita Rest Area) at 5:29.  We decided to stay in Grants Pass, OR.  Checked into the Travelodge at 6p.  Ate dinner at Black Bear Diner (just across the parking lot) at 7p.  Total miles for the day 349.4

 

Monday, April 28, 2025

Up about 7:45a.  Showered and dressed and went next door for breakfast.  Pulled out of hotel at 9:41.  Purchased gas and ice at the Chevron station.  Back on I-5 South.  Short break (time not noted) at Suncrest Rest Area.  Entered California at 11:10 (guess what?  No inspections!).  Mt Shasta View Point for photos.  Yreka for pit stop.  Weed Rest Area for another photo of Mt Shasta (selfie).  1:11p stopped at Lakehead Rest area for lunch. Back on road at 1:58.  Another rest break at Lt John C Helmick Rest Area, getting hot – 82 degrees.  Pulling out 3:26.  Calif traffic has been surprisingly light.  4:11 another break at Maxwell Rest Area for a snack and stretch. Back on the freeway at 4:23.  Took I-80 East and got a room at Motel 6 in Sacramento.  Checked in at 5:50 pm  Ended up eating dinner at IHOP next door. Total miles 336.3.

  

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Up at 7:45.  David showered.  We then walked next door for breakfast.  Checked out after packing car. On road at 9:48.  Got some ice. Back tracked to I-5 S then got on US Hwy 50, the Lincoln Hwy (also the Loneliest Hwy).  CA doesn’t designate historic highways very well.  We missed a turn from Folsom Blvd to Sutter St, so ended up needing to back track.  At 11:23, back on track.  Took a short break in the Folsom Historic District at 11:30.  Took several photos then back on the road at noon.  There were mainly eateries and boutiques (a lot closed today including a historic museum!).  Car decided it needed an oil change so we found a Jiffy Lube.  While the car was getting fresh nutrients, we walked over to Jersey Mike’s for lunch (good).  Back on the road at 1:02.  Stopped at Ross Dress for Less for David to buy 2 long- sleeve shirts and a lap towel at 1:15.  Back on the road at 1:28. We got lost again so ended up getting back on the new hwy US 50 E. Drove through the Sierra Nevadas.  Besides being the Lincoln Hwy, it was also the Pony Express Route in several locations as well as California National Trails (like Carson Route).  Stopped at Silver Fork Store for a pit stop and leg stretch, ate M&Ms.  Got out the Garmin. Back on the road at 3:10.  Stopped at 3:28 at Twin Ridges turnout for photo op.  Elevation 6500 and snow on ground!  We kept climbing. Spencer Summit elevation 7,146 at 4:22. Never saw a sign that indicated we crossed into Nevada but assume we did about 4:30 as we were in Carson City shortly afterwards. Decided to stop for the night in Fallon, NV. Pulled into Quality Inn & Suites at 6:08.  Walked down the street for dinner at JD Springer’s.  The food could have been a little bit warmer.  They were packed and only 2 waitresses!  Total miles for the day was 219.6.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Up and showered at 8a.  Hotel has breakfast – delicious.  Pulled out at 9:52.  Stopped at Safeway to purchase a few items like ice, back on road 10:20.  This is definitely the “Loneliest Highway” – very few cars.  We are still following or crisscrossing the Pony Express Trail.  We stopped at Sand Mountain Recreation Area & Pony Express Stop at 11:10.  Took photos.  Lots of construction going on – roads, campsites, and restrooms. At 11:30 we went over Sand Springs Pass, elevation 4,644.  We went over several passes during the day – the highest being around 7,600.  At 12:20 we stopped at New Pass Station – the pony express/stagecoach station remains.  Stopped in Austin, NV for gas at 1:02.  Ate lunch at Bert Gandolfo Park. We took several photos of the town. Just past Austin there was an old Lincoln Hwy marker (no photo).  At 2:30 we stopped at a “Rest Area”, no bathroom! (as David wrote “WTF!”).  Just 2 picnic tables.  But there was a Lincoln Hwy marker. Next stop was in Eureka, NV.  More photos taken.  Somewhere between Eureka and Ely, we switched drivers at 3:52.  Pulled into Ely at 4:32.  Pit stop at R Place.  Then went on into town to get a room for the night.  Staying at Motel 6 (again – but a much nicer room).  Checked in at 5p.  Had dinner at La Fiesta at 6.  Back to room at 6:27.  Total miles  265.9

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Up about 8a.  No breakfast at the hotel so have to back-track.  Pulled out at 8:48 (David’s hungry).  With the closed old businesses, it reminds us of Rt 66.  Denny’s for breakfast (it was inside a casino – way too much cigarette smoke).  Left at 9:38a.  Left the Loneliest Hwy (50) for Hwy 93N.  However, we are still on the Pony Express Trail/Lincoln Hwy.  Ice bought 9:46 and back on the highway.  Photo stop at the Pony Express Rest Area at 10:30.  Photos include Pony Express exhibits and Lincoln Hwy marker (this one still had the Lincoln head!).  Gassed up at West Wendover, NV.  Crossed into Utah then got on I-80E at noon (oops, we changed time zones – make that 1p).  Stopped at the Bonneville Salt Flats Rest Area at 1:30 MT.  Took photos.  Lunch at the Grassy Mt Rest Area at 2:12 MT.  Back on I-80E at 2:50 MT.  In SLC we got onto I15N then US Hwy 89N (then back on I-15N then back on Hwy 89N).  We then finally got on I-84E at 4:25.  Brief stop at the Weber Canyon Rest Area at 4:30 for a 10-minute break.  Took a short detour off I-84 to follow the old Lincoln Hwy (old hwy 30) using Hwy 167N.  At 5:29, we merged onto I-80E.  At 5:53, we entered into Wyoming.  Pulled into Evanston.  Checked into Quality Inn at about 6:10.  Went across the street to Lincoln Hwy 30 Tavern for dinner at 6:45.  Great Burgers!!!  Marcy drove all day. Total miles 337.8

 

  

Friday, May 2, 2025

David was up at 6:30.  Marcy at 7:30.  Breakfast at hotel (not so great – biscuit was hard, no meat, egg wasn’t very hot and no water or juices).  Car loaded and pulled out at 8:40.  Gassed up the car and washed windows (sorta clean).  Out 8:50.  Wyoming Hwy 189N then I-80 E. Took exit 34 for Ft Bridger.  Had a good time visiting Ft Bridger with its restored buildings.  Bought a book about the Lincoln Hwy.  Pulled out at 10:37.  Also visited the Black & Orange

Garage Camp Cabins (very early motel).  At 11:17 US Hwy 30 joined I-80.  Stopped at Love’s and ate lunch at Carl Jr’s.  Also bought a couple of bottles of cold water.  Now on WY374 but bridge has been replaced.  On road again at 12:30.  Back on the I-80/Hwy 30.  2pm crossed the Continental Divide.  Went over it again 30 minutes later but a much higher elevation (7,000).  At 3:30 Hwy 30 separated from I-80.  4:16 short photo stop of Dinosaur Graveyard.  Keep seeing signs about Sand Creek Massacre Trail – will have to check that out.  Arrived in Laramie, WY.  Gas was $2.85 (Sinclaire).  WOW! Checked into Motel 6 at 5:30.  Unloaded car then went out for dinner at Pizza Hut.  Then went to Safeways to get some more water bottles and ice as well as a couple of salads for lunch tomorrow.  Arrived back at the hotel at 7:18.  Total miles 344.3 (all driven by Marcy).

  

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Up, packed and checked out at 8:05.  Headed to breakfast at Prairie Rose Café, across the street from Bond Brewing.  Great Food, sat next to a 90 year old gentleman.  Onto I-80E at  9.  Stopped at Lincoln Memorial Statue Rest Area then at Lone 

Tree in Rock at 9:50.  Photos.  No longer on interstate, US Hwy 30 only, the Lincoln Hwy at 10:15.  Back on I-80 E, the Lincoln Hwy at 10:54.  Stop at Pine Bluff Rest Area 11:34.  Off the Interstate on US 30E.  Entered Nebraska (NE), 11:41 – Yee-haw!  Still on the Lincoln Hwy. 1p ate lunch at Pony Express Pole Creek Station historical marker cuz we couldn’t find a park in Sidney.  1:39, Lodgepole, NE Lincoln Hwy marker at park, Restrooms locked? Chappell, NE photos of murals.  3p Gills/Cheyenne Massacre in NE historical markers.  3:07, 2 more historical markers.  In Gothenburg changed to Central time.  Marcy used her phone to reserve a room in Kearney, NE, on our way, about 1 hour.  Checked in at 7:10 CT.  Used points so we have a free night!  Dinner in our room (hotdogs, chips, and candy).  David is watching Independence Day on TV.  I’m working on the computer.  Total miles 367.3.

  

  

 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Up at 7:30 for showers.  Breakfast in hotel.  Loaded car while talking to Nathan.  Stopped for gas & ice.  Got salads for lunch at Subway.  10:10 back to Hwy 30E, slight detour to Old Hwy 30 in Grand Island at 11:12.  Back on main Hwy 30 at 11:17.  11:30

stopped at the Seedling Mile, the only remaining original portion of the Lincoln Hwy that still exists (although, we discovered later that there are more, but we missed them).  Photos.  Chapman Pump & Pantry for relief.  Above beer lockers:  “Don’t worry, beer happy.  We’re here to pump you up.”  Entering Silver Creek, NE.  Took photo of Lincoln Hwy sign.  In Duncan Village, photo at Volunteer Fire Dept of bell and fireman with Dalmatian.  Ate lunch in Columbus at 1 at Pawnee Park (a water park & American Legion baseball park).  Talked to a young man who had been fishing in the pond near us.  3:22 crossed into Iowa.  No fanfare.  Woodbine at 4:20, is amazing, over 233,000 bricks in the roads of the town, many of the buildings original to what was here when the Lincoln Hwy was built.  5:00 detour off Hwy 30E of Dow City.  Returned to Hwy 30 in Dennison.  Stopped for the night in Carroll, IA.  Checked into Burke Inn & Suites at 6p.  Went to dinner at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant (Good food!!).  Returned to hotel and unloaded car at 7p.  Total miles 288.4

   

Monday, May 5, 2025

Pulled out of motel at 9:24.  The TV was lousy, couldn’t figure out how to get a channel and breakfast was so-so.  Went to Subway across street to get today’s lunch.  Got ice and headed out on the highway.  Lions Tree Park (located east of Grand Junction) has an interpretive site for the four bridges over West Beaver Creek where we stopped at about 11a (took pictures of an original bridge and lots of other neat items).  Another interesting place we stopped

 at 11:25 was in Ogden for an original Standard Station & foot prints in original concrete.  Took pictures of Colo Motel & café, continuing east on the original Lincoln Hwy (now E41).  1:35 stopped at Anson Park for our lunch in Marshalltown.  Just east of Tama, we got to see a bridge built in 1915 with it's name "carved" into the sides.   Back on LH/Hwy 30 at 2:38.  Stopped for the night in Clinton, IA at about 5:15.  Checked into Quality Inn.  King size bed.  Went to Applebee’s for dinner.  Total miles 257.4

  

     

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Up at 7:40.  Showered & ate breakfast at hotel – no eggs!!!!  Got a cart to use to take our luggage out to the car.  Ready to go at 9:45.  10:02 Got water but still need gas and ice.  Entering Illinois at 10:27.  At 10:50 got gas & ice at Shell in Morrison, IL.  Photos at covered bridge & Emerson murals.  Stopped at Subway for today’s lunch salads (put in ice chest for later).  Stopped at a park for lunch, back on road at 1:35.  Had a lot of trouble finding our way around Geneva and Aurora trying to stay on the Lincoln.  Were briefly on Rte 66 near Joliet.  Traffic was horrible!  Found a Quality Inn in Matteson, IL.  Checked in and in room by 6p.  We decided to walk next door to Chick-Fil-A for dinner but they weren’t open for business yet.  Got free coupons for a next visit.  So, went to A&W/Long John Silver’s – not so good.  Should have gone to Olive Garden (which was also next door to our hotel).  Total miles 174.2

 

               

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Had breakfast at hotel, packed car, headed out 9:18.  Entered Indiana 9:54.  Stopped at Subway for today’s salads at 10:08.  Now on Hwy 2, Lincoln Way, a part of the original route of the Lincoln Hwy.  Heading for Laporte.  12:48 crossed the North/South Continental Divide.  David took a photo of a church in some town (he forgot to write it in the journal at the time).  It had a bell tower.  Had lunch in a parking lot (couldn’t find a park again).  Checked out the Old Bag Factory in Goshen. We had a time change when we stopped just before crossing into Ohio.  Decided to look for a hotel.  Found a Quality Inn in Lima.  Checked in about 6:20ET.  The guy checking us in didn’t understand the process so it didn’t get put on my membership account.  Will have to go through the website to get credit for the stay.  Went out for dinner in downtown Lima.  Ate at 318 Restaurant.  Good Food and atmosphere.  Returned to hotel at 8:30 p.  Total miles 255.5

  

Thursday, May 8, 2025

David was up early.  I got up at 7:30.  Breakfast at hotel was just waffles (again!) so we went next door to Waffle House (irony that we didn’t want waffles again) for our protein (eggs & meat) .  We loaded up the car and checked out of the hotel before heading over.  8:42 – at Waffle House.  On the road at 9:13.  Marcy mapped out directions from the LHA online map.  We tried following them but no signs.  Finally got on the LH at 11:00!  Cool day.  On the way to Sandusky.  11:38 bought box lunches (salad & wrap sandwich) at Love’s.  Then we got lost again but found our way to Hwy 30.  Was able to get back on the old LH in Bucyrus (small patriotic town).  Drove thru Galion.  Stopped to eat lunch in Mansfield at the Carousel Park.  Marcy couldn’t find her phone.  PANIC ATTACK!!  David called the number but couldn’t hear it ring.  Thought it had dropped out at our last stop.  Called Nathan but he couldn’t help without info that we didn’t have handy.  As we were getting ready to leave to back track our steps, the info display indicated a text message for Marcy (wait!  That means the phone is in the car!).  Discovered it in the console area (where it normally is) but it was pushed into an inconspicuous place (on top of the cord that plugs the Garmin into the charger).  Still not sure why we couldn’t hear it when David called it.  Gas, etc stop at 3:42 in Massillon, photo of church by David.  Marcy saw 2 Granges on our route!  One in Robertsville (a neat brick building that was 2 stories) and one in Lisbon.  Went thru Minerva at 4:42.  Checked into Quality Inn in Calcutta, OH.  Only 2 rooms left!  What????  All hotels in the area are booked due to workers restoring power in the area due to an earlier storm.  So, we had to pay over $100 for the first time since we left California.  After unloading the car, we checked the internet to see where to have dinner.  At 6:28, we headed for Hoges Restaurant.  Our total miles was 253.5.  Internet service at the hotel is very poor.  Couldn’t connect using the PC.  We didn't take very many pictures - in fact, I didn't take any!

Friday, May 9, 2025

Last night was cloudy but we have sun breaks this morning.  Out of our hotel at 8:58, headed to Bob Evans Restaurant for breakfast. Hit the road at 9:57.  Entered into West Virginia shortly afterwards (10:06).  Stopped at Subway to buy salads for our lunch.  Crossed into Pennsylvania at 10:20 (WV only had 5 miles of Lincoln Hwy!). In Pittsburg, had a very difficult time getting to the freeway due to endless detours.  Saw a lot of the city, glad we don’t live here!  Finally got on I-376 which was tied in with Highway 30 – heading East.  Stopped for lunch at American Legion/Lions buildings.  Took photos of covered bridge owned by the Lions.  Drove and found a 2^nd covered bridge and took photos.  Continued on to Flight 93 Memorial on Ross Rd.  3:30 walked the light path, compared the crash site now to our memories of 9 years ago.  Bought 2 t-shirts (red).  Then headed to Somerset where we have reservations at the Comfort Inn.  Checked in at 5:30.  Walked to Pine Grill for dinner – it’s just down the street.  Got back at 7:10.  Total miles for the day was 158.5.

 

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Pulled out at 9:36, gotta back track to the Lincoln.  On Hwy 30E at 10.  Summit in the Allegheny’s is 2,906!  At 10:25 stopped at Colvin Bridge.  At 11, we stopped at a Shell for gas and to buy salads at Subway.  At 1:15 stopped at Mr Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium.  Photos, bought shot glasses (one for Gettysburg) and post card.  Arrived at Gettysburg National Monument at 1:45 – more photos – lots of memorials, statues, and cannons.  Went to the Visitor Center and got our passport stamped as well as purchasing a couple of zipper pulls for the twins.  Ate lunch in a picnic area.  Just not enough time to see everything.  Got back on US 30E and headed for Nathan’s place.  Saw 3 Amish buggies within a very short period of time (like 30 minutes).  We have left the Lincoln Hwy at 6:41 and on Hwy 202N (then I-76).  Arrived at Nathan’s at 7:08.  Had to park a couple of blocks away, went to dinner at a Thai Restaurant about 4 blocks away (walking uphill!).  Returned at 8:43 after picking up a few things from the car.  Total miles was 243.2

 

Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Mother’s Day

Relaxing day at Nathan’s.  Moved the car closer and got more items out of it – like our dirty clothes.  Going to do some laundry.  Ordered pizza in for dinner.  Watched Mission Impossible movie #7 and had popcorn.  No mileage for the day.  Received word today that our brother-in-law, Dale, passed away.  This will change our itinerary for the trip home.

 

Monday, May 12, 2025

Plan on doing Valley Forge today.  Left the house at 10:45.  Arrived at the visitor’s center at 11a.  Stamped our passport and purchased t-shirts and a shot glass (we have quite a collection from our travels).  Started listening to the audio tour but decided not to. (Nathan loaded it up on my laptop so I can listen to it later).  Left the park at 2:07.  It was very informative, we learned a lot that we didn’t know before.  Headed to Chick Filet at King of Prussia Mall.  Back home at 3:23.  Total miles 28.8

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Today we are taking public transportation to Philly to do various sites.  Left at 10am.  It was a very damp day – coats got wet.  We did Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and had lunch at PJ Clarkes (a very busy place that we missed our tour time slot).  However, we were able to get into the next slot.  Marcy’s camera battery died so she switched over to her phone.  Returned home at 4p.  Then Nathan & David went grocery shopping to get items for dinner tonight and tomorrow night.  No mileage for the day.

 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Another relaxing day.  Finish up laundry.  Downloaded photos from David’s phone as well as my camera and phone.  Also, brought this log up to date.  Once laundry is done, will pack up our suitcases and load some things up into the car.  No mileage for the day.

 

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Loaded up the car and pulled out at 10:17.  Had a good visit with Nathan and Luna.  Stopped in Myerstown Exxon for gas.  Got ice earlier.  Lunch at 1 at The Filling Station – BLTs.  Out at 1:50.  On Hwy 322W, one of the towns we went past was Belleville.  Stopped in some town off I-99S for a relief break and snacks.  Marcy had missed a turn and got way off track trying to correct – even using Garmin.  Called Nathan and he gave us a route to get back on track and avoid Pittsburgh.  6:40 stopped at Chief Bar & Grill, a “biker bar” with no bikes.  Great burgers with house-made chips or fries.  5 stars.  Arrived at hotel at 8:46 in Mars, PA (Cranberry Twp).  The hotel was booked a couple of days ago.  Total miles 358.6.  No photos taken.

 

Friday, May 16, 2025

9am packed and ready to go.  Looking for ice when it’s already 79 degrees.  Gas On-the-Fly and ice in the box.  9:16 and ready for the highway.  Took Hwy 19N to Harmony.  In Harmony at 9:41, lots of construction – new roads and houses and buildings for businesses!  As David put it, “It’s disgusting!”.  At least Belles Rd is still there.  Drove it and then continued westward.  Didn’t see a sign indicating we crossed into Ohio.  We stopped for lunch at 1 at Perkins in Ashland, OH.  Left at 1:50.  At 2:09, we got back on Hwy 30, the Lincoln Hwy.  Stopped at a rest area for exercise and pit stop.  Back on the road at 3:10.  4pm

another rest area for same thing, plus trying to figure out why the Garmin wants us to change roads.  5:12 entered Indiana – road was way backed up due to a major car accident.  Ended up spending the night in Ft Wayne, IN.  Checked into Economy Inn at 6:10.  Went to dinner at Liberty Diner.  Discovered forgot to change Trip Meter A when we got gas.  Total miles for the day is 347.4

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Pulled out at 9, need restaurant for breakfast – went back to Liberty Diner.  Went to the Shell station for gas and hit the road at 9:56.  Discovered time change from Eastern to Central at 11:41/10:41a).  At 12:01 pm, crossed into Illinois, land of Lincoln.  12:30 stopped for lunch at McDonald’s in Chicago Heights.  Stopped for relief breaks a couple of times and continued on the way, leaving the Lincoln Hwy for IL 59N.  Potty stop at Mobile in Elgin, IL.  Looking for lodging.  Used mini-mart in Pingree Grove, IL at 6:30 – made hotel reservations in Rochelle as none of the hotels in the Elgin area had availability.  Rochelle is an hour away.  Haven’t had dinner, yet.  Now on I39S close to Rochelle.  Turned onto IL38W.  7:25 arrived at Comfort Inn.  David ate his leftover Lasagna and I had cheese and nuts and chips or crackers (it wasn’t written down!).  Total miles 303.8  No photos taken.

Sunday, May 18, 2025 – the 45^th anniversary of Mt St Helen’s blowing.

9:05 car is packed, had breakfast at hotel and getting out onto the road.  Filled up with gas from BP across the street.  Headed out on the highway at 9:18, going north on Hwy 251.  Are we going to reach Duluth today? Stay tuned.  In Rockford, IL, got on Hwy 51 N at 10:21.  Entering Wisconsin at 10:33, where are the cows?  Stopped at StateLine Mobile to use the facilities.  Switched to I-90W now that it isn’t a toll road.  Arrived at Wisconsin Dells Denny’s for lunch at about 12:30 (old style place from the 50’s).  Took a long time before we ate, didn’t get out until 1:50.  Back on I90/94 W.  Arrived at Quality Inn hotel at 5:30 in Eau Claire, WI.  6:17 drove to Red Lobster for dinner.  Returned to hotel at 7:36 from a delicious meal.  Total miles 278.6.  Very few photos taken.

Monday, May 19, 2025

9:15 car packed, breakfast at the hotel, need gas.  Gas Station was closed!  Got on I-94W looking for gas.  Gas found! (but no cows!!!).  Back on I-94W at 9:42.  Menomonie Rest Area to fill water cups from ice chest bottles at 10.  Crossed border into Minnesota at 10:43.  Very cold weather today.  Started to rain while we were at Fuller Lake Rest Area.  Another pitstop at Burgen Lake Rest Area before getting into Alexandria.  Ate lunch at Arby’s in Alexandria.  Back on the road at 2:05.  Pitstop at Hansel Lake Rest Area at 2:58.  Crossed into North Dakota at 4.  Checked into Quality Inn in Fargo at 4:30.  It was raining hard so we ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut to be delivered (just like the Pizza Hut pizza at home).  We’ve both been able to use our computers at the same time for the past 2 nites now.  Total miles 339.0

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Checked out at 9:10 after eating breakfast at the hotel.  Need gas.  Rained all nite and is pouring now, at least the car is getting a much needed wash.  Got gas at Cash Wise Foods for $2.85/gal.  More bottled water for the ice chest.  Onto I-29 N towards Grand Forks, where we got onto US Hwy 2 W at 10:54.  Stopped at Larimore Rest Area where we discovered that all of Hwy 2 in ND is dedicated to 164^th Infantry Regiment.  Ate lunch in Devils Lake at Applebee’s at 12:40.  Back on road at 1:22.  Still raining.  Decided to stop for the night in Minot, ND.  Pulled into another Quality Inn at 3:30.  Taking advantage of the early stop by doing a load of laundry (we needed a couple of things so we have enough clothes to last through Sunday in our small suitcases).  Marcy spent the time updating this travel log.  Plan on going to Bone’s BBQ Smokehouse & Grill for dinner.  It was delicious!  Returned to hotel at 8pm. Total miles 298.6

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Checked out at 9:25 and need gas again and it’s still raining!  Hotel breakfast was good.  Got gas at Flying J, no ice.  Back on Hwy 2W.  Crossed the Continental Divide, elevation 2210.  It’s gray in Ray, ND.  Stopped at a Cenex station store in Ray as a pit stop.  At 12:43 we crossed into Montana.  Rough Road! And it is now 11:43 Mountain Time.  Saw a road runner on the road!  But it wasn’t running and going “Meep, Meep”.  We almost ran over it!  At 12:50 we stopped at Tribal Express, a store with a food to eat section, in Poplar.  It was good for what it is.  Also saw a coffee stop that looked like a percolator, no photo.  Back on Hwy 2 headed into the big sky.  This part of Hwy 2 is known as The Old West Trail (according to a highway sign).  Stopped at another rest area about 3.  It was too early to stop in Malta so we went on to Havre. Stopped at a Quality Inn – no rooms available.  Went to Best Western – no rooms available (at both of them!)  Nobody knows why.  Stopped at a Super 8 – got the next to last room – on the 3^rd floor!  No elevator so had to carry our luggage up the stairs.   Finally, everything was in the room by 6:30.  Drove down the road to Murphy’s Pub for dinner (we ate there four years ago).  Total miles for the day was 438.7 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

9:32 – lousy breakfast but it is Super 8 so having a breakfast at all is a step-up.  (they finished serving at 9 – we were there at 8:30 – no eggs, only 1 sausage link and it was hard as a brick, gravy, and only 1 biscuit and waffle batter).  On Hwy 2 – need gas.  Not going to Glacier NP (most of the attractions are on the closed portion of the road thru the park).  So, we took Hwy 87S.  Stopped at Big Sandy Rest Area, met a biker riding his 2018 Ultra Glide (beautiful red bike).  At 11, we stopped at a scenic overlook just south of Ft Benton, took photos.  At 11:36, reached Great Falls, got gas at a Cenex station.  Now on I-15N/Hwy 89/Montana Hwy 200.  At 12:12 I-15 split off.  At 12:20 US Hwy 89 went it’s own way.  Stay on Hwy 200 all the way to Missoula.  Crossed the Continental Divide again (this time the elevation is 5,610) at Roger’s Pass.  In Lincoln, we had lunch at the Pit Stop at 2pm.  Good food (or vittles as David wanted to write).  At 2:55, we stopped at the Clearwater Junction Rest Area.  AT 3:44, we merged onto I-90W & US Hwy 12 W.  In Missoula, Hwy 12 splits from others at 3:48.  Decided to look for a hotel in Missoula as it was raining.  Problems again tonight!  Hotels are almost full and the rates are over $200!  Found a Super 8 that was under the $200 but was still expensive.  Decided to check in as we didn’t think there would be anything else down the road.  Settled in our room by 4:30.  Now going to go to Applebee’s for dinner (5:48 heading out).  Dinner was good.  Internet connectivity not happening.  So worked on this log and added more pictures.  Total miles was 279.8.   

 

Friday, May 23, 2025

Breakfast was pitiful – only waffles.  Packed up and pulled out at 8:55.  Stopped in Lolo at an Exxon for gas and window wash.  Deer crossing (doe and 2 yearlings) in Lolo pass.  At 9:45 crossed into Idaho and entered Pacific Time Zone, snow on the ground! David says, “support your local potato”.  Saw more deer on the road.  Also saw several historical signs and kayaks on the river.  Also stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs.  Stopped for lunch in Lewiston at 1p at The Mystic Café.  Delicious food!!!  Back on the road at 1:40, heading for Washington.  Crossed into WA at 1:44!  Headed for home, can we make it today?  Stay tuned.  Another stretch break at Alpowa Summit (elev 2785) Rest Area at 2:13.  Was going to stop for the day in Tri-Cities, unfortunately no rooms available.  Checked online for Yakima and a no go there as well (if they had a room, it was well over $200!!!).  Stopped at a rest area in Prosser.  Checked to see how long it would take to get home – 3 ½ hours.  So, called mom to go to the house to turn on the porch lights.  We ate at a Taco Bell in Yakima, heading home at 7:30.  ETA:  10:30.  8:41, we reached White Pass (elevation 4500).  9:15 stopped at the rest area just west of Packwood.  Reached I-5 at 10:31 and arrived home at 10:51.  Total miles for the day was 605.5.  Ending odometer reading was 73,989. 

  

Summary

We drove a total of 7,131 miles over the four weeks.  Originally, we were going to be gone up to six weeks.  However, due to the death of a family member, we skipped a lot of stops and genealogy research so that we could be home earlier.  It was just as well as Mom had hip replacement surgery on May 27^th.

We covered a lot of states - Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming,  Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,  West Virginia,  then Pennsylvania.  On our way home, it was Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, and finally back in Washington.  That’s a total of 16 states outside of our home state of WAshington!  Were any of them new?  No.

We bought two t-shirts for me and three for David.  We also purchased several shot glasses (Valley Forge & Gettysburg to name a couple).

The car is filthy dirty and in need of another oil change.