It does take a toll......

Has anyone ever noticed that some of the worst Interstates are also the ones labeled "Toll Road"?  Well, Illinois, so far in our 16 month odyssey, takes the cake.  We traveled a little over 130 miles Friday of which over 100 miles was "Toll Road".  Of that 100+ miles well over 80 miles were under construction.  What was the maximum speed allowed in those construction zones you ask?  A blistering 45 mph!  Don't even ask me what condition those 2 very narrow northbound lanes lines with "K" rails were in.....ah, ah, ah....I said don't!  We had to stop around every 12 miles and pay the "man" his pound of flesh.  Along this series of toll roads there are no "Rest Areas"......there are "Travel Oasis'"......they sound very tempting as you creep along at 45 mph in bumper to bumper traffic for 80+ miles, but they are nothing resembling an "oasis".  What "they" are is a few acres of broken concrete that rattles the fillings lose in your molars.  The "oasis" I guess is the large air conditioned glass enclosed building that sits astride the Interstate posing as a very large food court, and teeming with screaming rug rats, and their handlers.

This is what a "Travel Oasis" looks like (internet picture)

As we neared the Wisconsin state line, and blissfully, the end of the construction/toll zone I finally caved in and pulled off the "Interstate" at the Belvedere Travel Oasis......I was as tight as a freshly strung tennis racket, and TLE was channeling some of that tension.  She said she felt bad for me as she sat with eyes riveted on the narrow lane in front of the Newell while offering words of sweet encouragement from time to time.  As we neared the Belvedere Travel Oasis exit I crumbled while silently crying out "UNCLE! You win!  I give up!", and exited for a few minutes of respite.   The Wisconsin border was in sight.....just a few short miles further until the Interstate once again became an Interstate with wide lanes, broad shoulders, smooth pavement, and no "K" rails......and the last Illinois Toll Road toll booth where I was parted from the last of the $17 in tolls we had paid this day for the privilege of driving 45 mph for over 80 miles....I understand now why Illinois is losing population.

Okay, I guess that is quite enough of my gratuitous rant......so, "Clarke, how was the rest of your day?" you ask.  Not too bad, thank you very much.   The day broke with clear blue skies overhead, and lots of sun, although there was still a hint of the coolness from the day before.  We lazed around until just around Noon time before turning over the Detroit Diesel and beginning our blissful day of travel through the urban, then suburban, and finally farmland that composes this area of  Illinois.  You already know about the stuff from Noon until 3:30 pm when we exited I-90 in Janesville, WI, our "home" for the afternoon and evening this day.  While Wisconsin Interstates, so far, resemble much of the rest of our nation, Illinois was like "Bizzaro World" from the Superman comic books.  We opted to overnight at the local Walmart just off I-90, which is right next door to Sam's Club, also part of the Walmart family.  

After finding a suitable parking place we strolled into Walmart to pick up a few fresh items like tomatoes, onions, lettuce, jalapenos, etc. for the evening meal, which this night was Tacos, plus TLE is going to replenish our salsa supply.  That's one of the many things I love about this lifestyle.  We don't have to carry a lot of fresh items.....we buy enough perishables at each stop to last a day, or two at the most, so we eat a lot of fresh food.  When we are moving every day as we are now we are always near a grocery....we just exit the coach and shop.  Very handy and healthy!

We took a long walk after dinner of about 2 miles, took showers, then settled in for the evening catching up on the latest episodes of Master Chef, and CSI.  The middle of Friday was totally forgettable, but the beginning and the end were delightful.  Saturday we will continue north into the heart of Wisconsin probably stopping near Sparta and spending a few days riding some Rails to Trails bike paths for which Wisconsin is famous.

Thanks for stopping by......and sharing in just a little taste of my driving day!