Wednesday, 7/23/97

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- 5:30 am CDT the Alarm goes off.  But we are both slower at getting up.  Bob bopped the snooze button a couple times.  Eventually, we pulled out of the camp at 7:00 am and headed east from Newton, Iowa.  Not much to report about the day, except that Iowa has more corn than Illinois or Indiana or Ohio.  It was Cloudy all day, with minor sprinkles of rain now and then hitting the windshield.  We noted as we passed Galesburg, Illinois, where Plan P expected us to spend tonight, but it was only 9:30 am as we cruised by.

            We took two and a half hour turns driving, Bob first because he is better with mornings, then Brennan getting the stint up to lunch time.  Just then, the Interstate Highway decided not to offer any lunch stops for many miles.  We finally find a “Red Hen Restaurant” with plenty of cars in the parking lot.  Inside, the sign says, “Please seat yourself.”  But we see no empty tables.  Brennan is showing signs of the “Kuhns Hunger Syndrome”, a well known medical condition observed in all members of the Kuhns family, -- Ready to kill and eat the first thing that moves.  At last a table frees up and we grab it as soon as its former occupants stand up.  Refreshed with meals, we continue with our objective of Dayton, Ohio clearly attainable by this evening. 

            We get to Enon Beach Campground at 6 pm, set up camp and drove back west on I 70 to a Waffle House we spotted ten miles back.  This is our celebration of the last night on the road.  We enjoy what has always proven to be quick food well prepared and served by people who like their jobs.

            Back at camp, I called Ann to wish us a happy anniversary.  This is only the second wedding anniversary I have spent away from my wife in 31 years.  The other time was forced on us by military duty.  That time I could not even call her.  But this time, I am also giving her the news that we will be home a full day earlier than called for in the famous Plan P.  The news excites then panics Ann as she realizes that all the special projects that she had been working on to surprise us when we got home had to be finished in one day, not two. 

            Joy of joys, I also find out that Ann has fixed a problem with the TV she had told me about a few days ago.  She found a defective connection in the twin lead terminals, stripped the wires, and reconnected them.  This is a task to be proud of. 

            Brennan and I eat the last puddings for dessert, and look forward to crossing the Appalachians again.  If my estimates are right, we will get into Silver Spring during afternoon rush hour. 

            Fatigue sets in so I get ready for bed and read myself to sleep early.  Lights out at 8:45 pm EDT.