Second Jedediah Smith Trail 1824 — 1826

Day 11: September 1st, 2010 Columbus — Iowa City

Map Columbus to Iowa City

Tonight I have slept really bad. Although it was really quiet, I woke up a couple of times. Anyway, I get up at seven and get myself slowly ready for the day. Currently, the weather is still nice. I am wondering, when I will reach the bad weather. On my computer, I have seen a Cracker Barrel just beside the Interstate. This is where I plan to have breakfast.

After I have loaded all my stuff in the truck, I quickly check the engine oil. That is fine! Then I drive over to the reception, return my keys and drive on for breakfast. But I am not able to find the Cracker Barrel immediately. Instead, I see a Bob Evans at the corner. So I drive over there.

The service is very good and the bacon is better than at Kings. Then I continue to Walmart. There I buy shampoo (I thought, I still have one left in my car, but I already used it), moist toilet tissue, pens, transparent envelope for my receipts and eventually Scotch tape — and Lithium batteries for my thermometer in my truck.

The battery will be installed immediately and I glue the lower display on with my thin Scotch tape. Let’s see, if this will hold up! Then I remember, that I forgot to buy the weights, which I planned to hang on my car pod! But for testing, I can hang a bottle of water in the Walmart bag on my car pod. The rest of my buy will be sorted out tonight.

I–70, OH

Before I went to Walmart, I already gassed up. Therefore, I can immediately hit the road. It is time to do so, because in the meantime it is already 11 in the morning. There is still plenty of sunshine and this also stays so for a while.

I–70, State Line OH and IN

Now I cross the state line to Indiana. But I am not really happy with my weights at the car pod. Only after moving it closer to the center at the screw, things are getting slightly better. Maybe I will use a second bag as counter weight on the other side. We will see.

I–70, Indianapolis, IN

I–70, Indianapolis, IN

88 S10 Blazer 15151 Miles, I–74, IN

I–74, IN

There is still plenty of sunshine and I arrive at Indianapolis. There, I continue on I–465 and finally 74.

I–74, IN

I–74, IN

Thunderstorm on I–74, IN

Thunderstorm on I–74, IN

Thunderstorm on I–74, IN

Not before being on I–74, I reach the announced bad weather front. The thunderstorm is really heavy. It is almost impossible to see something and I only drive 50mph voluntary. But after a couple of minutes, everything is over!

I–74, State Line IN and IL

I–74, IL

I–74, IL

I–74, Bloomington, IL

Then it stays cloudy for quite a while, before the sun is back shining. Finally, I cross the state line to Illinois.

I–74, IL

I–474, Illinois River, Peoria, IL

I–474, Peoria, IL

I–74, IL

But I still keep my window closed, because I already caught a heavy sunburn in the morning! Now I drive over the Illinois River and pass Peoria.

I–74, IL

I–280, Mississippi River, IL

I–280, Mississippi River, IL

I–280, State Line IL and IA

At Davenport, I cross the Mississippi River and the state line to Iowa. There, I also turn onto I–80 to the west again.

Due to all the road constructions, I have lost a lot of time. But around half past seven, I arrive at Iowa City and the local Motel 6. Unfortunately, they have no room left downstairs. So I must pack today everything together. Also my car is parking extremely sloped, so it doesn’t make sense to check any oil.

I put my stuff into the room and look for a restaurant for tonight. There is a Lone Star not too far away and also an Outback Steakhouse at the other end of town, a bit more than two miles away. But I chose the Lone Star, because it is closer! But unfortunately, I am not able to find it. Just when looking at the buildings, it could be the one where now is a Chinese Restaurant located. Therefore I drive on to the Outback.

On my way I pass an IHOP, perfect! Also the Outback is not difficult to find. It lays a bit back from the main road and a bit hidden in the shopping mall. But just by chance, I look in the right direction and see the sign between the trees!

Also there, I receive a good service and I try the Teriyaki Steak. This one also tastes great! What is really interesting around here is the fact, that the steaks are 1oz smaller, but they still charge the same! But the 8oz are also enough for me today. All in all, it is already half past nine for my body and not half past eight!

Back in my motel, I finish working on my video taping first. Then I copy the pictures, do my bookkeeping and finally write my diary. Now it is already half past eleven local time! It feels like I never make it to bed! And so it is midnight when I am eventually able to fall asleep…

The next day is in preparation…