Reflections along the way

 
We are somewhere near the half-way point of our great road trip adventure, both chronologically and as measured by mileage.

Some reflections on the journey are offered at this time.

• There are thousands of miles of railroad track alongside of US-50 as it spans the nation.  However, there are no trains.
• There is WAY more corn, and WAY less wheat growing in the midwest than we would have expected.  Apparently, the gluten free thing is really catching on.
• One of the things that you can count on, in every town you go through, no matter how small, is that there will be a coin-op self-serve car wash.  And, that's a good thing.  We've taken advantage of that twice, and we expect to do so again.
• Exhaustive and thorough planning is worth every minute spent.  Then again, a willingness to depart from the plan when the circumstances call for it is also very helpful.
• Cruise control is one of mankind's greatest achievements.
• The map app on Lynne's cell phone is in second place.  It likely would have come in first but for the fact that it does not seem to know about public parks or roadside rest areas.
• Third place goes to the incredible USB drive.  It's smaller than a quarter, and yet it holds our entire CD collection - more than 4,000 tunes - in MP3 format.  That's a big help in passing the hours out on the open road.

• We are REALLY pleased with how well our Subaru is suited for this journey.  Especially the 12-volt outlet in the back for our powered ice chest, and the USB port in the center console.

 

• Our timing is perfect.  Ten years ago, we would not have been able to afford either the time off or the expense.  Ten years from now, we won't have the energy.
• Liquor is very expensive in Canada.  T-shirts however, are more reasonably priced, and are abundant.