“It was an Elan. A delightful little thing famously made of Kleenex and unicorn farts.” ~ Sam Smith
DAY TWENTY – Today was a long day, both by design and by accident. The distance between Indianapolis and home is just over 1,000 miles. Based on my target distance of 350 miles a day, I should have three days to get home. But, as I alluded to yesterday, “The wish to get back to the barn is getting more intense each day!” Well today it became intense enough to take I-74 out of Indiana then US 54 to I-72 which became US 36 in Missouri. Also the start at 7:30 in Indiana became a 6:30 start when the clock changed to Central Daylight Time. The net result was that I did 548 miles all the way to Marysville, KS. This, when added to another long day tomorrow makes the journey a two day trip to get home. The big deal is that I was in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas today.
The net result for this blog though is that there is little to report. I drove on and on. Then, I got fuel and drove on and on some more. Then I got snacks and fuel and drove on and on some more. Then I decided to stop in little Seneca KS but the motel there was very proud of its rooms (Apparently it is Turkey hunting season in east central Kansas so there are guys staying for a week to hunt) so I chose to let them find another customer and that accidental change of plan got me another 30 miles closer to home.
I’d like to comment on the “cheating” by taking Interstates today. Both these interstates are minor connector interstate highways with far less truck traffic than I-70 or I-80. Besides the only distinction between the US 36 divided highway and an interstate is that some direct access is allowed on 36 with cross roads and businesses though it mostly has ramped exits. And even on two lane roads, there are no twists and turns nor is there a lot to see except the straight road going to the horizon so there is no particular romance to the two lane. So it is justified in my mind as a means to get home sooner.
Impressions from the twentieth day:
• I stopped at an auto parts store and picked up some adhesive backed foam tape to implement a seal as advised by Dan Wise so the rain gutter in the door will no longer dump on my leg. Whether it works will have to wait until the next rain. Tomorrow is forecast to be dry, of course.
• The upshot of the foam tape installation was a lot less glass rattling in the door. Bonus!!
• While I made a lot of miles today, I am exhausted from the constant wind playing with the car like a potato chip at the higher speeds I am carrying. I’m glad I will be home tomorrow or it wouldn’t be worth the sacrifice. The car is doing fine.
• A reprise from day two: “Kansas is a thing to be endured rather than celebrated. It isn’t that it is flat, featureless and brutally windy, which it is, but that it is so long that it never seems to end.”
About Me
Hi, I’m Ross and I’m a tripoholic. I love driving especially in my old cars and then writing about the adventure that always follows. I’m old enough to know better but that doesn’t stop me. If you like stories of the road, every word true no matter how far fetched it may seem, then grab a beer or a cup of coffee and join me!
Subscribe to My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Cross Country Elan 
Next time through Illinois ping me. Weve got a sizeable Lotus community here in the Chicago area.
LikeLike
Ross, I made a bet with Ted that you would try to make 500 mile days to get home. I’m honestly not sure how you have the energy to do it, but more power to you! Have you used the ear plugs I gave you?
LikeLike
Earplus Yes! Boy they work but hurt after about an hour. 500 mile days…You know me,
LikeLike
Great fun to meet you at breakfast in Crawfordsville, Indiana yesterday. Smooth roads!
LikeLike
Nice to meet you as well, Paul. Now go get the Sonnett!
LikeLike