“Departure

Day 1 Saturday (8/23)

Leaving home around 10:30 ensured I entered Chi-Town (Chicago) on the Ryan Expressway around lunchtime. Noon traffic in the windy city on a hot summer day (without AC) is definitely a learning experience and I was actually pleased to drive through Gary, IN! The drive through the city combined with a detour to I-65 was exhausting for one person inexperienced in long distance solo drives and I was happy to pull off the highway at a rest stop about 35-40 miles from Indianapolis. After a sort tour of the Men's’ room, I slipped behind the wheel of my dad’s GMC Suburban only to find turning the key elicited the ominous sound of a starter trying unsuccessfully to bring the truck’s engine to life.

After several prayerful quick attempts at starting the truck, I realized that, with limited cell phone coverage, I was stuck. Eventual unsuccessful calls to Indiana State Police and area garages proved futile, but a providential wayside attendant spent about an hour with me trying to reach an open repair place (on a Saturday) and eventually we found a Pep boys garage in Indy that would put the truck in the shop and try to fix what was thought to be a bad fuel pump inside the 40 gal. gas tank. It’s funny, although by this time I had planned on being in Cincinnati, OH spending a relaxing evening with my relatives’, I contemplated the feeling of restfulness the tow truck ride afforded. I was not having to drive all the way!