Cincinnati, OH
10:22 PM
After 10 hours of highway, I am in Cinci. Ever since I made the drive north from Little Rock during my college days, I’ve loved the drive through this city. The highway takes you right through downtown. When Riverfront ballpark was around, you’d drive right next to it. I’ve been a Reds fan since I was young and it was cool to think about Pete Rose playing in there. I never made it for a game though. The lights shown bright tonight.
I’m staying at old family friends. I stayed with them last time I was here. They were friends with my parents ever since I was born. Their daughter was born very close to me so we have pictures of us as babies and growing up. I got her late (8:30 PM), so I didn’t get to see her or her younger sister. But I think they’ll be coming over tomorrow AM before work.
The drive wasn’t too bad. I didn’t get as much sleep as planned, but I was alert for most of the way. It was overcast all day and I went back and forth with the shades. For the most part I occupied myself searching for radio stations and fielding phone calls. I’m glad I expanded my cell plan.
Out of all the miles, I had an interesting thing happen today. I don’t know where it happened, but it was around 4 PM EST. I have a www.iamontheroad.com magnet on the back of my car. I was on the phone with my dad when I heard a truck blow it’s horn. I was cruising along at 73 and swiveled my head. In the passenger of the truck cab was a woman looking down at me, pointing to the back of my car and holding up her laptop. There was the website. I laughed hard and waved at her. She waved back. Very cool.
In between Louisville and Cinci I got the head bobs. I normally just fight it off with the window going down, the AC coming on/off, and/or shaking my head a few times. There was no stopping it this time though. Monday Night Football caught up with me. I pulled to an exit and stopped in at a gas station. I slinked down behind the tint and shut my eyes for a few. I am not sure if I even slept, but 5 minutes was all that elapsed. I opened up, got out, hit the bathroom and was back. That little break set me right.
I also indulged in an old school favorite, Gummi Bears. That was a good treat along with some sunflower seeds. Seeds are good to pass the time.
I got here and was fed a tasty treat of lasagna, with some fancy bread, and a good salad with mushrooms. I inhaled it. I was hungry at about 6, but I knew lasagna was waiting, so I pushed on. I broke down and had an energy bar, but I was still famished before dinner.
Time for bed, an early wake up call, and then the final 8 hours back to Rochester. Finishing the book has never been more on my mind.