outside the Best Western in Richmond, Indiana.
When I left Richmond, Indiana this morning at 9:30, it appeared the rain had come and gone in the night. But as we travelled along I-70 West, the sky filled with restless, moody clouds. After making it through the high stakes traffic surrounding Indianapolis, I pulled off at a rest stop to consult my On the Way app about the weather. It was a relief the forecast called only for clouds.
Indianapolis (on the right) to Rolla, MO.
Timi shares my relief the forecast looks good.
Unfortunately, the app was wrong. Not long after we departed this rest area, the wind picked up and a fine rain began to fall. It then gusted, rained, and misted, on and off, for the entire rest of the drive. A drive which, altogether, lasted 7 1/2 stressful hours today, door to door. 😬
Rain happens. The good news is, this should be the last of it. Sunshine and more sun from here on out. Yippee!
Meanwhile, the first time zone change of the trip took place today, when we crossed the Indiana border into Illinois. I found this great webpage to help me keep track. Tomorrow night we land in southwestern Oklahoma, so our next time change wont be until Monday. Until then, we are in Central Daylight Time.
In other good news, it was not raining in western Illinois during the St. Louis segment of today’s drive. St. Louis is probably the most difficult city to negotiate of this entire cross country voyage—difficult for this bold crone, anyway. Between the numerous, poorly marked lane changes and all the fast, confident cars and trucks, I always whoop it up with feeling, once St. Louis is in my rear view mirror. I’m sure it’s a lovely city, too. Just rough on a bypassing, out-of-state driver.
Some of you may know that St. Louis is a city shared by two states, Illinois and Missouri. It’s also the point where I exited I-70 West (through a tortuous maze, not gonna lie) and began heading South on I-44 through the beautiful, rolling (almost roller coaster-like), tree-blanketed hills of northeastern Missouri. Noteworthily, I passed a sign for “Endangered Wolf Center” in Eureka. Maybe if dogs are allowed to visit, we can stop there on the way back? Looks interesting. I wonder how Timi would behave around wolves… (https://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/)
Speaking of Timi, here he is with Clyde, settling right in at the Wyndham Baymont in Rolla. Can you see the pond through the window?
Some of you may recall we stayed here last spring, too. When we arrived today, Timi was so excited to walk around the pond again! We even bumped into a goose on its way down the hill, heading into the water. It’s clear Timi recognizes the place from our first visit, and it seems like Clyde might too. Although you can never quite tell with a cat. Cats like to play it cool. Especially a cool cat like Clyde. 🌿🦉🌵
One Bold Crone 
Clyde is most def the coolest cat around, and Timi…well, best boy ever. The maze of St Louis seems more scary than you’re letting on so I’m glad you’re thru it, and that sunny skies are ahead. Westward Ho! ♥️
Thanks, sis 💞 Radio helped calm me down after. Fuzzy classic rock station played Come Sail Away and Imagine before fading out—and I heard some great country songs, too, including the very funny “Saginaw, Michigan” by somebody Frizzel. Look it up!
❤️”Whoop it up with feeling”❤️ and ❤️”Clyde playing it cool”❤️ I’m happy Timi remembered the pond or at least was happy to see it, he’s such a good sport. I’m hoping it’s clear driving for you three road warriors from here on out to RM❤️
Thanks, Laurie! Woo-hoo! 😉 As for today, just checked my “on the way” app and looks like they changed their mind about the sun. *sigh* More intermittent showers in store. Glad I got brand new tires for the trip! I will leave early, take my time, and be extra careful…Oklahoma here I come!
ahh!!
thank goodness you all are navigating the roads well…adorable pix of Timi& Clyde🌸Love you all 🌈💞
Love you back! 🌷💫