Mile 1945

States entered today: 5
States remaining on this trip: 3

In the early haze of morning we drove through Charelston, IL. We went by Eastern Illinois University where my mother taught, by the house were I spent the first three years of my life (I’m working on plans to turn it into a museum so stay tuned J), and to the town square that was vibrant before the Wal-Mart moved into town. But fortunately the South-Side Diner was still kickin’ in the square so we had a classic breakfast. After breakfast, my dad used the force and this long-term memory to find the grave stone of his grandfather in the Charleston cemetery. It was a bit weird to see my last name in this unfamiliar yet intimately related place.

We hit the road again and drove for a very very very long time. Words cannot describe how long we drove. We past corn fields, then some more corn fields, then Indianapolis, the some corn fields, then Columbus, then another field of some kind. We eventually made it up to Cleveland, OH, then to Erie, Pennsylvania. We ate dinner at a fish place overlooking the lake, complete with sunset and sail boats. For a couple moments I almost forgot how much I hate the inside of my car.

From Erie we drove on a back road through wine country and beautiful lake front homes. I can imagine waking up, picking few grapes and watching the sunrise over the water. Dad quickly pointed out that it probably isn’t quite as picturesque in winter when everything is buried under several feet of snow. But such is life, I think I could deal with it.

Tomorrow we are driving north 40 miles and checking out Niagara Falls in the morning. It is good to only have a short drive before the hope of fresh air. And the most beautiful thought of tomorrow is that it is our last day! We should make it to Exeter, New Hampshire before too late and then attempt to find my prospective apartment on Sunday. So close!