Wilson Price Hunt Trail (‘Astorians’) 1811 — 1812

Day 9: August 21st, 2006 St. Charles — Omaha

Today I wake up again really early in the morning. Around 8am I check out and drive over to Bob Evans. Around a quarter to nine I pay and drive to the gas station nearby. Around nine I am back on the road.

Because I have followed the Missouri River banks already so often, I take the Interstates and bigger highways this time, until I reach a new area, I haven’t been before.

First I take I–70 West — but not for long, because I end up in a huge traffic jam. Just when I passed the last exit I hear in my CB radio, that the whole Interstate is shut down because of a burning RV. For 15 minutes we are all parked. Then the traffic slowly starts to move again. Now everything goes as usual.

I–70, Missouri River, MO

Unfortunately there is still a lot of traffic on the Interstate. But therefore the weather is today great again.

I–29, Missouri River, MO

Around 1pm I arrive at Kansas City. There I take the exit to I–29 North. There is way less traffic and driving is getting more relaxed.

I–29, State Line MO and IA

On I–29 I cross the state line to Iowa.

I–80, State Line IA and NE

Finally I take I–80 in the area of Omaha and cross the state line to Nebraska. There the traffic rapidly picks up. Unfortunately I get lost on my way to the Motel 6, which takes at least another half an hour. When I arrive there, someone asks me, if I have reservations. Oh no, are they already full?

No, but they currently have no electricity. Realistically, power will not be back before 2 or 3am! He shows me two giant fuses, which are blown. The electricians must pull the main cable to see, where the short is.

When asking, where I could stay instead, they suggest to try it at the other Motel 6. As the guy at the reception is already on the phone with them to rebook the other guests, he can also check, if they have another room for me. But I have no luck. Also the Super 8 is already booked.

When asking them about the motels next door, they start to smile: When the electricians start to work, they will also have no power — but they don’t know yet. At 6pm they are also out. But I should try my luck at the Econo Lodge. They should still have rooms available.

I say thank you and hit the road with brief directions from them. But again I get lost and end up at the Interstate. When trying to get back to the original route, I see another Econo Lodge. Therefore I give this one a try first. And indeed, they have rooms available — not a problem.

Only the drive to my Outback Steakhouse takes a little bit longer. But at the reception I receive real good directions this time. The service at the Outback Steakhouse is again fantastic. Around a quarter to nine I am back at my motel. To finish the day, I listen to one of my CDs. Then I go to bed.