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Day 43 - Straughn, IN to Columbus, OH

The Route

This was an easy day.  Hop onto I-70E and drive 134 miles.

About the Day

Today was a beautiful, sunny, pleasant day. 

Along the Way

Nothing exciting happened. 

We arrived at the OLWT Community (Thurber Tower) at about 1:00pm, drove right up to the entrance portico, and unloaded the trailer.

Carol started the put-away process. Dick took the trailer to the storage lot and returned at around 4:00pm.

We had a Chick-Fil-A carry-out, picnic dinner at Wyman Woods Park in Grandview.

Travel Trivia

No matter where we go or how long we're away, it's always good to return home.

The Campground

Is now home. 

We were greeted by a fun "Welcome Home" sign, courtesy of Duane and Kathy Smith.

Tomorrow

Begin the return to "normal", whatever that means.

Day 42 - Carlock, IL to Straughn, IN

The Route

Today was a tense 234 mile drive. Cross-winds made the first part (I-74 to I-465) memorable. Construction and GPS confusion made the second part (I-465 to I-70) memorable.

About the Day

It was sunny with high cirrus clouds, breezy, and comfortable. We reached 77° by mid-afternoon.

Along the Way

We got on the road by 9:30am.

Leaving Kamp Komfort Campground

Cross-winds were strong and gusting. We "enjoyed the challenge of staying on the highway" for about 3 hours. The excitement calmed as we approached Indianapolis.

We stopped for gas and had breakfast at The Hen House Family Restaurant in Mahomet, IL. The meal and service was nice. The noise from the kitchen was much like the clatter in a hen house. Hmm, a plan or a coincidence?

Travel got dicey when we approached and passed Indianapolis.  I-70 construction in the downtown forces detours. I-465 is a route around the mess, but the GPS directed us onto downtown side streets.

• The good news - it directed us by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• The bad news - it routed us by the shortest distance (on narrow streets)

We thought life was finally good when we got on I-70 east of the city. It  was not to be. 

Miles of I-70 construction squeezed traffic down to one-lane each way. There were long periods of stop and go. There were no berms. Some exits were closed. Hence, no bathroom breaks were possible.

Travel Trivia

Indiana highways continue to be in poor condition and our least favorite.

The Campground

The New Lisbon Family Campground & RV Park is located at I-70 Exit 131. This is our first stop here. It has a pretty entrance, an attractive setting, is out in the open, and not expensive.

Site S-1

View from our front door

We're in the country, just off I-70.

Sunset

Tomorrow

We should be home by noon.

Day 41 - West Liberty, IA to Carlock, IL

The Route

Today was a short, 165 mile drive. We left on I-80E, took I-280E, crossed the Mississippi River, went around Davenport and connected with I-74E. I-74E took us to Carlock. 

About the Day

The morning was cool with a slight breeze. The sun and breeze stayed with us all day. The temperature made it to the mid-70s.  All-in-all, this was a great fall football day.

Along the Way

After a short starting drive, we stopped at Grammas Kitchen in Walcott for breakfast. We've stopped there a few times before. Breakfast was delicious.

I-280E traffic over the Mississippi River bridge was slowed by construction. The approach ramps were being rebuilt and a new concrete bridge deck was being poured. In our opinion, the ramp work is long overdue.

Crossing the Mississippi River

Travel Trivia

Grammas Kitchen is across the road from Iowa 80-The World's Largest Truck Stop.

The Campground

We're in site 24 at Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground. We stayed here in 2009 and 2017. It's under new management since then. It's small, nice, economical, and close to I-74.

We're in the country

Site 24 on a beautiful day.

Tomorrow

We'll stop just east of Indianapolis.  We've timed the stop for our last overnight so we have plenty of time to unload at home and store the trailer on Monday.

Day 40 - Gretna, NE to West Liberty, IA

The Route

Very simple. Drive 284 miles on I-80E.

About the Day

Today was overcast except for a few hours this afternoon. Strong cross-winds made for interesting driving. Light rain arrived as we finished getting set up at the campground.

Along the Way

The terrain has been changing gradually as we've travelled east. Iowa added rolling hills, huge corn fields, and wind farms to the scene.

I-80 is rough. It's getting a lot of much-needed attention.

We got an unplanned treat when we pulled into our campground site. A new, 25' Airstream International was parked next to us. The couple came from Illinois to watch the Iowa vs. Colorado State football game tomorrow. We are in Big10 country.

Travel Trivia

We now have campground reservations for all the way home.

The Campground

We're in Little Bear Campground. The office building design suggests it was once a KOA Kampground. It's just off I-80. It's clean and well managed.

Site #26

Tomorrow

Kamp Komfort RV Park in Carlock, IL.  This will be our 3rd stay there.

Day 39 - North Platte, NE to Gretna, NE

The Route

We travelled 257 miles today by taking I-80E from North Platte to Exit 409 and then heading northeast on US-6 to the campground.

The campground recommends taking I-80 to Exit 432 and then southwest on US-6 to the campground. Unfortunately, the GPS missed the memo.

About the Day

It was another beautiful day. Sunny, cloudless, and warm (low 48°, high 80°). We did have a moderate cross-wind. 

Along the Way

Didn't see much mask wearing today.

I-80 is pretty boring on this stretch.

Travel Trivia

We purchased regular gas at $2.999 per gallon. The lowest of the trip.

We made two gas stops today. One at 11:13am and one at 2:20pm. The first was at $3.299 per gallon. The second was at $2.999 per gallon. Both purchases cost $34.01. It was not planned. It just happened. What are the odds?

The Campground

We're in a KOA Holiday campground. There are lots of amenities. The staff and services are very nice. The sites could be longer.

Site 49

Our parking host

There are lots of trees.

Tomorrow

A fairly long drive to West Liberty, Iowa.

Day 38 - Cheyenne, WY to North Platte, NE

The Route

Another day with few directions. We travelled 214 miles on I-80E.

About the Day

It was a dandy ... clear skies, slight breeze, and comfortable.  The 7:30am temperature was 43° (up 15° from yesterday). It reached the high 70's in the afternoon.

Along the Way

This was an uneventful day.

Lunch at Applebee's in Sidney, NE (home of Cabela's corporate headquarters) was a highlight.

We arrived in North Platte in time to get an oil change.

Dairy Queen provided a Blizzard (chocolate with extra Butterfingers) treat for you know who.

                    

Travel Trivia

We're pretty sure we travelled 214 miles.  The RVTripWizard software estimated 214, the GPS estimated 213, and the odometer changed by 214 miles.

The Campground

This is our 4th stay at Holiday RV Park. We stayed here in 2012, 2014, and 2015. It's not fancy.  It's well run, economical, and at the right place at the right time.

Tomorrow

We continue the journey in Nebraska on I-80 and will stop near Omaha.