If you decide to drive that distance, your daughter is going to have heart failure. Wouldn't you rather relax and fly? That is a long, long drive.

Where have you been? I haven't seen you posting much for some time. Miss your posts. Don't forget about us!!!

You may have problems with the first part of your trip as Mid January is about the worst time to travel the midwest due to snow/ice.

I'm guessing the first Springfield is Illinois, the second Missouri?

I agree the weather will most likely be nasty in northern US that time of year. I think I would fly and have more time to visit with your daughter. There is lots to see in the Phoenix area. I would be willing to travel to Phoenix some time in January since I will be in Florida the early part of February. Jamielovescoffee also lives in the Phoenix area. I bet she would let me spend a night or two at her place.

Iva Mae,

Daughter has a strong heart.

She says that she does the trip in her (5? year old) red Mitsubishi in 3 days ... that it'd take me 4, in my 20 year old blue Mazda - we drive at different speeds, according to her report.

According to my reading of the situation ... I think that we live at different speeds, as well.

I did about 5 km. under 10,000 km (6,245 mi.) last summer, en route to Saskatchewan and NC - GA, in July.

Lydia 1959,

Having lived in not only Ontario for a number of years, but having spent some time in Saskatchewan, as well ... I've dealt with ice and snow. Actually, snow just a few degrees under freezing is far slipperier than when it's 30 below zero.

Several years ago the youngies and I were going about 40 miles to a resort on the edge of L. Huron in early winter to hear their formerly Saskatchewan-based cousin (whom they'd seen only rarely) and his friend play guitars at a restaurant.

It was starting to snow, a bit heavily, as we departed n. London, after rendezvous ... and they were wondering whether we shouldn't turn back.

I said that I'd dealt with snow before and if it got bad, I would turn back: but that I'd know when it was indicated.

We had an uneventful journey and a fine evening at the party - several cousins there, as well (who had instigated the gig for my nephew and his pal). Actually, they played there a few times.

I may be dumb ... but I ain't stupid (I hope).

Actually, daughter flew up at Labour Day for a get-together with those same cousins ... and she'd seen them a while before when she'd flown to Saskatchewan in July for my Mom's family reunion, which we hold every three years - that time at my brother's farm. It was in Sask. that they hatched the Labour Day plot, actually.

On this past Sunday I left home in the snow in early morning to take Bruce and carny friend 120 mi. to Toronto to blow up their balloons for kids at the Santa Claus parade ... put some coats, sleeping bags etc. in the car, for Sask. training is that in winter one must always travel prepared for a stay in the car for a period in case of trouble - and assume engine not available to provide warmth.

A former colleague from our missionary days in Korea died a few years ago and his wife had given me some of his clothing (I'm wearing one of Walter's sweaters, now) and she'd written some while ago to say that there were some more from their cottage, so I picked them up on that trip, as well.

Was disgusted with myself a week ago Sunday.

I'd bought a new suit, at daughter's instigation (insistence?) to see her up the aisle at her wedding in 1989. As she'd lived with her Mom from age 6, we both stood up and said, "We do" when it was time to, " ... give her away", (whatever that means).

Anyway - last summer a patch on the seat of the pants had the vertical threads give way on a piece about 2" wide ... which pretty well put them out of commission.

On Sunday 2 weeks ago, I was walking into the garage and caught the back of the suit coat on the door opener, tearing an L-shaped rip in it, between 2" and 3" on a side ... so figured that to be about the end of that article, as well.

There's a suit or a sport jacket as part of the bundle received on Sunday, so I'm a happy camper.

Got my passport picture taken today - it bears a substantial resemblance to the old fart that I see in the mirror when I shave.

Good wishes for the days ahead.

ole joyful

I note you're taking a wide path around Minnesota on your trip there Joyful. Mad at us? Didn't we treat you well enough last time? ;)

There's advantages to flying and advantages to driving. Obviously you get there quickly with flying, but it's nice to see the scenery along the way when driving. And I suspect the Joyful one would like to meet a few people along the way and that wouldn't be as convenient flying, unless you get a flight with a lot of stops.

Joyful glad to hear you still practice your Saskatchewan training! We have had several of those days last week. I had to go to Regina for medical and the weatherman just could not get his forcasts right. So Wed we said, lets make a call on this and decided to go by bus. Wore our steel collars on the Greyhound so we wouldn't be decapated. When we left Regina it was raining and once out on the highway it turned to snow and freezing slush all the way home. We were happy we were not driving. This is going to be a long winter.
Have a great holiday.
Jean

Hi cynic,

Do you have maps in MN that show all routes across the U.S.going through MN?

I was frustrated last year ... when I hoped to visit some in MN and they planned a gathering ...

...the gathering took place when I was long gone. I was very sorry that I couldn't be in MN at that time.

It was on the weekend that I was at Lake Junaluska, NC, at reunion of former Korea missionaries.

I had a great visit (two, actually) with Caroline and Wes in ND. Also Danielle and Jason in Saskatchewan.

Maybe I'll travel through MN en route to Saskatchewan again before too long: not this year and I doubt whether next.

ole joyful

I have an extra room & am on your route, I've sent an email. Several here can testify that I am a good enough hostess if you aren't real fussy.

I've sent an email. Though I agree that January is a real iffy time for travel, you will probably deal with an ice storm somewhere east of Arizona.
j

ohhhh Joyful you will be in for a treat with Jerri. They have a great place!!
Wish I could get up there or you were coming farther south in Texas....

What highway will you be using as you zip through Tulsa?

Why aren't you coming to Long Island?

You know our door is always open!

Ole Joyful is a wonderful house guest even when the house is in total disarray and dinner is a hodge-podge of left overs! I wouldn't be comfortable inviting too many folks into the mess of my in-progress house. Nita and OJ made "me" feel and home and comfortable...and they were the guests! LOL

Can't wait to see them again.

OJ, are you going to be traveling with a laptop or regular computer access?

You could sign up for one of those FREE online daily diaries and keep everyone posted to your exact whereabouts. (That is, if you want everyone to know, of course.) You can make the diary private or public or have parts for both. This way you will have a wonderful personal record of your trip to look back on years later as you log each days events, and you can use it to alert board members to when you are near their town closer to the time you will actually be there. Roads and weather are unreliable and there can be many delays. Some online diaries allow others to post comments and some do not.

So blog your way through the States with your personal writings and if you need advice along the way for anything you can use the public portion to let your needs be known and have user comments help you.

I'm sure a lot of posters here would love to follow you on your journey through your writings. You are very interesting and have such a unique style.

Here is a link that might be useful: Diary On line

I'm in Oklahoma City and would be glad to meet you.

I used to have an 800 number that my kids knew the code to, so could let them know where I was (and in what condition).

Now, lacking a laptop, let alone a wireless-capable one, I stop at a library somewhere fairly frequently to keep them updated (a bit difficult on a weekend).

They're worried about my health and safety on this trip - I think that Bruce's main reason for talk of coming is to ride herd on me.

Do some of you remember, on my trip to NC three years ago, how this Londoner stopped in to London, KY ... asked a caretaker at city hall for directions, and went into a bank (from the parking lot by the back door) to ask to use their computer ... and they ended up telling me where to go ...

... to get to the library?

Actually, they were interested to look at this Loonie's Loonie (and Twonie) ... as several there had not seen them, previously.

Hi Jannie,

Travelling via Long Island would make it ...

... a lo-o-o-n-n-g trip, indeed!

'Twould eat up most of my insured days, just travelling ... leaving only about a day and a half to visit daughter and her new (to her) home.

Can't really envision over-staying the med insur.!

Sorry - maybe next time. Haven't been in NYC since fall '57 (to pick up my VW Bug, bought in Geneva) ... when I lived in Ithaca.

Good wishes to all - and thanks for the invitations received.

ole joyful

I'm in Oklahoma City also and would love to meet you. I know Kim and Moni live here also, and I know there are others near here too. I hope the weather cooperates for you! This sounds like fun!

I have not read all replies yet, but want to say: January and February are the coldest, snowiest and iciest month to travel in Oklahoma.

That said, if you do come through, put me on the list of peeps to meet. LOL, providing I am home.

Moni

How about Nebraska? Are you coming through this way?
Leslie

i would have loved to be on the route, but alas i am not :)
if i was i would jump at the chance OJ

You probably will miss Ohio, but it's on your route, email me. I am near Cleveland. I'd love to meet you!

Tami

When I called daughter today to wish her "Happy Birthday" (it's been more than 40 times, now) ...

... when I spoke of the idea of driving, her response was immediate, firm, and short.

It involved a "!" and "o" and an "n" ... not necessarily in that order. And, as far as she's concerned, it isn't "on"!

She's been pushing me to get the passport ... and it's to arrive in early Dec. There've been lineups at the (local) passport office, but when went in the other day, I went right through - lots of space at the various service windows. Sort of snowy, that day ... blowy, as well.

Alabama does seem quite a long way south of my tentative plan to go through St. Louis (most direct route) ...

... but I suppose that I could leave the car along the proposed route and hitch-hike down there.

But ... I'd be less enthused about heading north and west to Nebraska from there, riding on the thumb ... Nebraska gets cold in winter, I've heard ... and the second state up from where I'd left the car.

It seems somewhat longer route to travel that way ... and taking a dogleg to O K City area would add even more.

Hey - maybe I should travel by bus ... can you envisage the length of the ticket?

Actually, if flying, it would be preferable to fly from Detroit ... a lot less expensive than from Toronto (and daughter's buying the ticket - I think that she gets at least part of it via saved-up bonuses) ... and I wouldn't need a passport for that, it seems.

What's that? Maybe not need a passport, after all?

It does help with identification, though.

As we talked, she became somewhat more flexible with regard to the travel by car.

Stay tuned, folks ... we'll see what develops as time moves along. Travelling by car ... I buy the gas.

It surely would be nice to see some of you folks, face to face.

ole joyful

P.S. Darn dog wants to go out about every hour (or oftener) but with her short hair, she gets cold really quickly, even if she travels at speed. I have to keep watching to make sure that she doesn't have to wait when she comes to the door ... about 10 min. ... but sometimes she's less than enthused about coming, when I call her ... usually about three trips to the door before she shows.

Saw a bird in a bush, ran over, ran around, bird flew to two or three spots, then got sick of this nonsense, flew away. Dog didn't see, ran around, stod high on hind legs, looked around. Frustrated.

It's a dog's life!

Loves to chase squirrels! Glad that there're no skunks around here ... no skunks?? That I'm aware of ... so far!

Snow around, some drifted, windy yesterday but not overnight, several degrees below freezing. A couple of degrees below, in the back porch.

Two doors to go through and five stair steps, to look for her, one including a storm, and another double door to call her/let her in.

She's high maintenance ... when she comes in, wants to play ... mostly related to mouth (and likes having me clasp her cold body between my warm legs).

o j

Joyful, I just typed in London, and Phoenix, and the route Micorsoft streets and trips tossed at me puts you through Oklahoma City.

Make sure, and let us OK city folks know, when and if you come through here.

Moni
(I do have an inflatable mattress for guests)

Hi Moni,

If you need some hot air to blow it up, even in winter ...

... I think that I could help you find some ...

... I've been accused of having some familiarity with the subject!

ole joyful

Hi Joyful one. I second Cynic's kind offer to visit you in Minnesota. I'll probably still be here in Minneapolis at that time. Let us know what your plans are, and travel safely!

Minnesota?

Brr-r-r!

It's even farther north than (our part of) Ontario ... I think that Ontario's even bigger'n Texas!!

It goes from a bit east of Grand Forks to a bit west of Albany!

And my kids tell me (and I've heard some of it here) ...

... that from Detroit to Chicago, then Peoria, then south-west bound ...

... is too prone to snow, blow and icy, in January and February!

They say to fly over it - but it's *really* cold up there! It's the pilot's job to deal with that.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone.

ole joyful

P.S. They've been fussing over my getting passport for months, and it's to arrive in early Dec. ...

... but if I fly from Detroit - I don't think that I need one!

Life has its moments!

o j

Too bad you're not coming to Florida. I'd love to meet you.

Hey OJ, I took the liberty of planning an itinerary for you. Here's the plan for now:

Hi Joyfulguy:

I can see the general route you plan to take, and it is more or less the direct route. I live in WI and have a sister in southern IL, have done family reearch in MO and so. IL, and made trips to NY and Connecticut states, so I am familar with some of your route. You have 2 problem areas: 1) the stretch across the tip of Lake Michigan, and 2) St. Louis.

I-80, from I-65 to the I-294 (Tri State around Chicago), can be the pits. In summer, this is a never ending construction zone; In winter, its a slow moving parking lot when more that 2 inches of snow falls. When traffic flows, it flows fast and with many trucks. This is a major E-W truckers route. During the first part of a snow fall, there will be idots overdriving conditions and inviting accidents. Snow fall driving gets better by Januuary because by then, a portion of the idots have been removed from the gene pool, and the others have modified their behavior.

Traveling west on the stretch, a significant portion of the traffic turns north at I-294 and the I-80 traffic flows well again.

Next, you mentioned Peoria. I believe this is out of your way.

West of Chicago, you will be taking I-57 or I-55 on your way to St. Louis. I-55 is the shorter one - both routes work.

Your next stumbling block is the river crossing into St. Louis. If you use the mid-town crossing, you will find yourself in a bad traffic rodeo threading through the city. It is a bad show if it is raining or snowing. What I recommend is the I-255 belt line around the south end of the St. Louis area. You cross the Mississippi river south of St. Louis, contine west until intersecting I-44, then turn onto I-44 and be on your way through MO.

I-44 replaces route US 66, the background of an old TV series of the same name. Today, only small pieces of the orignal route 66 remains. Some sections in Missouri have been saved for tourist and historical reasons.

let's re-visit the route through Indiana. Using I-80 is the most direct one when viewed on the map, but the part near the Chicago area is very variable, and if you get caught in a traffic SNAFU, it is horrible.

A suggested alternative is to use I-69 south through Indiana, passing by Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and picking up I-70 on the south side of Indianapolis. Stay on I-70 until intersecting I-55 near St. Louis. This drive through Indiana and Illinois is flat, boring, un-interesting, but easy and fast.

Tip 1: If you will be using a number of toll roads that have I-pass toll gates, consider installing an I-pass transponder in your car. With the I-pass transponder, you can hustle through the toll gates - the new ones will accept full speed and for the older ones, you'll have to slow to maybe 15 MPH. The real savings in on the I-295 in the Chicago region. To promote the I-pass, charges per toll is 50% of the cost of the manual booth. A number of interstate roads are joining the I-pass system. I believe it works on the Ohio turnpike.

Tip 2: Beware that speeding tickets may be issued from data gathered from the toll ticket on turnpikes. These tickets bear a time stamp. If it is computed that you have traveled much too fast between two toll gates, a picture may be secretly snapped of your face through the windshield and the license plate. A ticket may be mailed to your residence and a knock entered against your driving record in your home state.

Good luck on your trip.

looks like you're following the old rte 66, more or less...

if you need a ride to detroit metro, or a place to park your car, we have the space, lol...in fact, i'm on a direct street to the airport...

i'd fly...the less time you're driving, the more time you're in az enjoying the balmy temps! it's about a 4 hour flight...(more or less, lol)

and the worst snowstorm my folks ever got caught in was in the panhandle of ok!

As one considers cynic's Attractive Alternative itinerary ...

... I think he calls it the "scenic" route ...

... by way of a substantial number of the homes of KT regulars (a few of whom could be counted on to offer a small amount of floor space on which one could deploy one's sleeping bag for a night)

... do any of you affluent critters feel inclined to offer a bit of subsidy to this poor old fart's gas price?

Actually, following that route (or the northern leg outbound, the southern portion on the homebound end) ...

... would take up so much of the 16-day medical limit ...

... that I could only spend about 3 hours 45 min. with Delightful Daughter, at her end!

She'd rather buy my air ticket, I think!

Life do have its problems!

ole joyful

OJ, why do you have a 16 day medical limit? Are those the terms of your travel insurance?

(You're kidding about asking for gas money, right)?

Medical insurance: Last year $93.00 each for a trip to Sask. for Mom's family reunion, one to NC for a reunion of former Korea missionaries (held once every three years)... plus a trip to visit niece's family in n. GA. ... 16 or 19 day limit.

But - unlimited number of trips, during a full year, for $176.00 ... so I get the third trip, this one, free.

Daughter's paying about $257.00 ($275.00?) and needs to order right away ... so I told her to do it.

Sorry I won't get to visit with you folks - maybe I can come down by car sometime in summer.

Good wishes for a great weekend, everyone.

Gotta be outta here - 3 min. ago.

ole joyful

Glad to hear you've decided to fly but can't you get a few more days insurance and stay longer than 16 days?

By the way you mentioned a dog? Are you dog sitting?

Talk to you later

iva mae

Ed, don't forget there are a few of us in AZ that could possibly meet up with you in the Phoenix area. I am the furthest at 3.5 hours East of there but would be willing to drive over to meet with you. Please let me know through my page as to when you will be in the Phoenix area and some way to contact you.

Actually, I'm glad to hear you are flying. Much safer with the unpredictable weather that time of year. Enjoy your visit!

That Chicago route at the bottom of Lake Michigan is horrible!!! All big semi's and stop and go. Hate it, hate it, hate it!!!
We go thru the upper peninsula, Michigan, to go to Wisconsin rather than take the southern route.
Kathy G in MI

Joyful, you old pessimist! Don't you know where there's a will there's a way! (not to be confused with where there's a Will there's a greedy lawyer!)

You can fly and still enjoy everyone's company. Just get a flight that stops in Long Island, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, etc, etc! :D

See? Not so difficult!

Well ... I guess we can shut off the lights and close and lock the door of this thread: I'm to fly out of Detroit early evening Fri. Jan. 23 - fly out of Phoenix morn. Mon. Feb 2 ... just under $250.

For folks who might be in or able to come to Phoenix, my email address is available here, and I can send daughter's address - don't remember the suburb - and phone.

Got a card in mail Fri. Nov. 28 saying item to pick up at P.O., picked up passport Monday ... postmistress says it somewhat resembles me. She's supposed to have identif'n., but not too concerned ... I got out photo driver's licence ... she said she doubted that she'd let me into States on that - look too much like terrorist.

Application went in Nov. 21, it was issued Nov. 26 - really quick service.

I am disappointed that I'll not get to visit folks along the route ... but hope that I can meet several of you some time in the future: maybe a spring or fall trip (summer too hot).

I hope also that you have the start of a fine week under your belt.

ole joyful

Someone mentioned the business of going via Peoria being out of the way ...

...so it would have been, but there was a reason.

There's a retired Methodist missionary living there who was a friend in Pusan, Korea - just over 50 years ago - when we were helping some refugees get back on their feet after the Korean War.

Use every day as though it were your last.

o j