Day 4: Finally on the Road
One of the control towers at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago.
This morning I slipped quietly out of bed, freshened up and walked across the lobby to the airport terminal to my awaiting giant yellow Hertz bus. José Rodriguez drove me to meet Julie at the service desk and I picked up the keys to my 2012 white Ford Fusion. It didn’t happen as smoothly as that – José was late picking me up and Julie robbed a further $200 from me in fuel charges and added insurance. And I almost forgot to get the car’s passport for going across the border to fierce-some Canada.
I headed west to Aurora, Illinois. This is indeed where the Wayne’s World movies were based (and where Waynestock took place). Apart from that, it has an outlet center and I needed some supplies of cheap “designer” clothing – or rather I needed to get some more clothes as I’d underestimated how much I should have brought first day! It was great to get on the road. Yeah for the first couple miles you’re still thinking about how weird a left turn is over here and how you can actually break a red light when turning right. And the trip to Aurora was nice because it was at 7:30am and no one was around.
After spending far too long trying to find the right attire, I Googled “breakfast aurora il” and up came “Blueberry Hill Pancakes” and off I went. I stopped by CVS pharmacy to get sun-tan lotion also – my neck told me I needed it. And I got a great deal on water – 24 .5litre bottles for $4 – or in Hilton terms, 24 bottles of water for less than the price of one. I joined the queue here (always a good sign!) and by 12pm I was back out in the parking lot full of eggs benedict (I know, but they’re scrummy!).
Skyscape over the cornfields of Iowa
I headed west toward Des Moines – I had 4.5 hours ahead of me and intended making good time. It turns out I did make good time stopping only once to get more water from the trunk (boot). I also played games with myself like turning off the A/C and closing the windows and turning the car into a sauna. It’s amazing how quickly you begin to just leak all over the place. After a while though you begin to have difficulty seeing so I only did this 4 times. Crazy. Before you start to lecture me on health and safety however, I was drinking plenty of water throughout this and was also in full control of the car at the time. It was kinda funny though, watching my arms just sort of leak – literally like a sponge being squeezed by an invisible force. Anyway.
The gilded Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines
Finally pulling into Des Moines at about 5pm I had Googled the landmarks and headed straight for the Iowa State Capitol Building. This is a surreal building. All throughout the day I noticed just how sparse the state was and then on the approach to Des Moines, I noticed how many dilapidated houses and buildings line the route. Then to come upon this monstrous architectural model of perfection from the 1870s, I couldn’t but be struck by the contrast. I found myself getting worked up over the ostentatiousness of it all. Statues, monuments, pillars, busts, memorials, other government buildings and it just seemed odd.
I decided after taking many photographs of this perplexing place, to head for Nebraska. I had to get to Nebraska because that’s what my mission for the day was. This was to prove my entire premise that this crazy journey is do-able. Sadly, I didn’t make it all the way. Now, before you draw that forefinger in a wagging fashion in my direction; I’m across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa. I’m at a motel here for the night, a pit stop to do laundry mainly. And after doing just that, I’m off to bed. Early start in the morning to cross into Nebraska and on to Denver, Colorado. Wish me luck!