Zebulon Montgomery Pike Trail to Red River, Arkansas Journey 1806 — 1807

Day 38: September 21st, 2004 Terre Haute — Pittsburgh

Today I will have my last breakfast at Cracker Barrel for another year. This time I don’t need to search around for a while, because I already know, where it is located. I enjoy my cinnamon apples for the last time. Then I pay around 9am.

I drive over to my usual Marathon gas station and around a quarter past nine I am on I–70 East.

The truck traffic is increasing more and more and driving is loosing its fun. But the temperatures are still pleasant with around 75 to 80 degrees. On I–70 I drive through Indianapolis.

I–70, State Line IN and OH I–70, State Line IN and OH
I–70, State Line IN and OH
I–70, Columbus, OH I–70, Columbus, OH
I–70, Columbus, OH

Then I cross the state line to Ohio and drive through Columbus. When my gas gauge reaches the last quarter I plan to fill in my spare 10 gallons gas at the next rest area. But this one is closed and the next one is more than 50 miles away. Hopefully I will make it. And it is getting really close before I run out of gas. But I make it.

When filling in my gas cans I make a real mess as usual. I always ask myself how someone can design a can in such an idiotic way. There is no way to avoid spilling a lot of gas…

I–70, Wheeling, State Line OH and WV I–70, Wheeling, State Line OH and WV
I–70, Wheeling, State Line OH and WV

With my new spare gas I continue on I–70 and cross the state line to West Virginia at Wheeling.

I–70, State Line WV and PA I–70, State Line WV and PA
I–70, State Line WV and PA

Finally I reach the state line to Pennsylvania and at Washington I take I–79 North.

On this Interstate I cross the Ohio in northern direction.

Just past five I arrive at Helen. It almost feels like coming home. Now I have to unload everything from my little truck. Then we chat for a while about all the things that happened on my journey. After that I drive to my Outback Steakhouse to have my 9 ounce Outback Special after this long drive.

Around a quarter past eight I pay and drive back home. I make another appointment with David tomorrow, that I have a chance to take apart my winch in his garage. And for the day after I invite him, his girl friend and Helen for dinner.

  • Sights
  • General
  • Breakfast: Cracker Barrel, Terre Haute
  • Dinner: Outback Steakhouse, Pittsburgh
  • Motel: Home
  • Distance: 468 miles