Welcome to SummerofBeth!

Summerofbeth is back!!!

Day#1- I drove 14 hours and ended up in Iowa. Why? I’m 2/3 of the way to my destination in one day and I have things to see in Iowa tomorrow morning!

Here are some random thoughts about the states I traveled thru and my preparations that helped me out to make today a great day!

Pennsylvania-

1. The state is way too long.
2. I went thru 15 work area zones just in PA. (Well, I think I did. I lost track at one point as PA had soo many!)
3. I love our EZPass system and not having to go thru tollbooths.

Ohio-

1. I like their sign at their rest areas plus their rest areas are clean and efficient.
2. They had no tollbooths as well. If memory serves they made the transition before PA. There is not pay by plate so I believe you can pay at a tollbooth.

Indiana-

1. I had to relearn how to drive thru a tollbooth with a gate. It was kind of like riding a bike but I did have to put some thought into it! 🤣
2. Great roads. Flat, smooth, you aren’t going to fall off a cliff if you make 1 wrong turn. Great state to drive thru on 80.
3. Enjoyable rest areas as well.
4. My favorite flag of all the states I drove thru.

Illinois-

1. Too much construction. Rivaled PA for numer of work zones.
2. 2nd to PA as my worst drive on 80 until you get west of Chicago. Once you get there it is delightful.

Iowa-

I’m not many miles into Iowa but the interstate was only 65. That’s a strike. I have some exciting stops for the morning so stay tuned for some updates you didn’t know you wanted to see!

Prep-

1. Food. I had an easy breakfast, lunch and two snacks prepped that I could eat and drive or eat at a rest area while getting some fresh air and a stretch of the legs! It helped keep my timing on track more than I anticipated.
2. Music you love downloaded. Kelsea, Ella, Cyndi, and lots of Taylor came across my airwaves. Songs that were fun to sing along with while watching the miles pass by!
3. Podcasts you enjoy downloaded. I had some funny ones to catch up on and as I was laughing the miles passed me by! It really made the time go quickly.
4. Setting goals- have things planned at certain benchmarks- ex: when I get to Ohio I’ll get gas or when I’m halfway thru the miles I can get a fountain Diet Coke at my next stop! Boom, award collected and celebrated being halfway to my goal!

Anyhow, just thought I could pass along my experience today. You don’t need me to tell you how to road trip; I did have a great day driving across our country. It’s a beautiful place to live!

As usual, please disregard my typos, grammar, etc….I’m finalizing my plans for the am and catching up on the days exciting news!

Hope everyone has a great wedding weekend…I mean 4th of July!

❤️🇺🇸🍺⚽️,

Beth