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3.04.03 Day Nine
The 5 a.m. wake-up call comes all too soon, straight up, on the dot. We had wanted to sleep in, go late, something like 10. It was to be our one luxury before heading home.
Instead we are out and on the road by 5:30, hightailing it home. It is still dark and traffic is light. The waysides are full of parked semis, men sleeping in the cab-overs.
Coffee laced with cream touches my lips. It is strong. I probably should have bought an English muffin or toast to absorb the acid.
By the time the sun rises in our faces we are already in Illinois on Rte 40 cutting through the center of the state. I remember once coming back from Texas and being amazed that this big stretch of road had no rest areas. It still doesn't.
The familiar replaces the unfamiliar. We are closing in on Chicago and still not one flake. It's very early…1:30!
Turning down my street I can spy my little house through the stately oaks. All is well. I am home. Dee carried my bags in. I love being home. For as sweet as traveling is, even more sweet is being home surrounded by my cool stuff, by the feeling of belonging, savoring this life that I have carved out for myself.
The news blurts out the truth: 8" of snow fell on I-80 east of Des Moines. Spin outs all over. The police stated that if you were in an accident and your car was still drivable that you should exchange insurance info and just go home. They will write it up later. All of the Midwest was a traffic nightmare.
We were wise and lucky.
I drowsed off to sleep to awaken to a beautiful fresh blanket of snow.
Welcome home.
Word for the Day: Sleepy-eyed
End Destination: Chicagoland
Total Miles: 363
