Arrival DLC

I arrived in Marshfield today, within half an hour of my target.  Trufax about driving to the midwest:

• It takes a LONG time to traverse Pennsylvania.
• If you visit Cleveland and only see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you saw enough, move on.  (Thanks again for the treat, Jake!)
• Taking I-80/90 through Ohio and Indiana is expensive.  (see below)
• Illinois and Indiana must think they're cool for having their own transponders, the "I-PASS" and "i-ZOOM", respectively. (which apparently work 100% with EZ-Pass at the same rates anyway)  What are Idaho and Iowa suppose to use when they decide not to be free?
• There are virtually no miles of Interstate within 100 miles of Chicago that are not tolled.
• If you drive on the weekend, you might get lucky and not have to brake for construction once.
• Live fast, toll hard.
• Finally, UPS and Fed Ex drivers are the worst CDL holders on the planet.  I was cruising 65-70 and they all passed me like I was standing still.  ...poorly.

Snow? in MY Wisconsin?

I've often complained about the Ohio Turnpike and the Indiana Toll Road and how costs a more than half a tank of gas just for tolls, but this was the first time I took a close look at them both in the day and night.  The money is obviously well managed because every mile of road seems to be in smooth, pristine condition; from the gravel on the sides to the lines, even the reflectors never seem to be missing.  I guess I don't feel so ripped off now.

This is with good reason I'm sure, because its one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the country.  I was surprised that Ohio has raised the speed limit to 70 since I last passed through there in July.  Though Indiana and Illinois are also 70, they restrict CV's to 65.  It's a no brainer which trucks are governed, I'm actually glad mine will be.  Driving the speed limit through there in my Escort was a little hairy at night, there's no need to be going that fast in truck.  Though its mostly straight and level, there's just something about it that plays tricks with your eyes if it doesn't have your undivided focus.  I think its a combination of the angle of oncoming traffic, the reflector poles, and the fact that there is ZERO light pollution between interchanges.  Corn fields don't have much luminary output.  If the moon isn't there to help then your visibility is only as good as your headlights, which don't go as far as you think.

As seen in Mesa, Arizona.

I stopped in Joliet, IL last night, cutting this trip pretty accurately into thirds.  Roughly 1,155 miles is by far the longest solo trip (driving) I've ever been on.  As weird as it was cruising alone the whole time, I guess I better get used to it.   Tomorrow we start by finding out if I can lift 30 pounds over my head without my heart exploding.  I'm pretty confident about that part but when I arrived in town I was nervous as hell about the REST of this whole thing.
<A little wisconsin-grown treat got me feeling better.  Thanks for the referral, Rollie.  It really hit the spot.

0700, I'll be there and ready to rock.