First, I want to thank my family for supporting my decision. I know you each offered, but going it alone really is my best decision. I am the one that ultimately has to live with what I choose. You know I will consult with each of you to hear your thoughts before I agree to anything anyway because your opinion is important to me.
Things went quite smoothly this morning. I'll admit, my sleep was sporatic because I didn't want to sleep through my alarm. But I was up by 6:00 am and out the door headed towards Ludington by 7:00 as planned. It was a very pleasant drive north with minimal traffic and light but cloudy skies.
When I arrived at the Badger loading area, first was the short line to meet with the attendant who was bright and cheerful, checking our names off the list, reminding us of the rules for the trip, and especially to remember to leave our keys in our unlocked car.
I packed up my computer and IPod and headed up the two flights of stairs to the first level. I signed up for internet so I could get my note written to everyone first thing so I wouldn't forget. At 9:00, the Badger was on it's way out into Lake Michigan, which was pretty smooth and a great ride.
Walked around the ship a bit then went aft to sit outside on the second level and read for awhile. Saw it darken over Michigan and thought you might be in for some fun weather, which one of my friends comfirmed. And here I was enjoying some sunshine! LOL
At about 11:30, Michigan time, we did have a rumble of thunder, but no one mentioned seeing any lightning at the time. I was seated inside upstairs by the window in the closed galley where I could continue reading when it started to rain. It wasn't very heavy because people were walking outside in their hoodies after a bit. It had stopped within the half hour.
As we pulled into Manitowoc, the sky was clearing, the blue sky proudly showing itself along with the sun. I looked north towards Green Bay and was grateful I had decided not to take the interstate north but go west to Rochester instead. Looked like they were in for some serious storms!
The skipper docked the ship beautifully with hardly a bump. Took about 15 minutes to unload us all, but my car was only a short walk away and ready for me when I got off the ship. Jumped in, turned on the air, checked the map and headed off on highway 10, at first, to the interstate. I just felt it was going to be a GREAT trip!
Traveled north out of town to the exit for state route 10 to Appleton, then south to Oshkosh, west on 41 then I-90 to La Crosse, the last city for me in Wisconsin and the site of the east bank of the Mississippi River. All the way across I enjoyed classical music from the University of Wisconsin public radio station, drove through quaint little towns, lush green rolling hills, classically perfect dairy farms complete with contented cows, unique barns, amish buggies, accompanied the entire distance by a beautiful blue sky, light fluffy white cumulus clouds and a bright, warm sun! I had a little rain spit on me once about half way across but it didn't even clean the car! Darn!
When I reached the Minnesota rest area on the west bank of the Mississippi, I got out for awhile to stretch, but also to enjoy the beauty of Mark Twain's favorite river. There were boaters enjoying it, a family picnicing on the hillside, and people walking all over taking pictures and relishing the beauty of the scene. I remembered the tree covered mountainous area I was about to continue through and felt a twinge of homesickness for a brief moment. A few more minutes to reflect within the scene and I was ready to go.
Only 60 miles remain and it looked like I was going to arrive near the time I had estimated, 7:30 EDT, 6:30 CDT. When I approached Rochester, I fired up my Verizon Navigator on my phone and checked the hotel address I had already placed within. As I drove into town, it became pretty obvious where the Mayo Clinic Campus was and I was in awe. My hotel is just 2 1/2 blocks away and an easy walk for me. I am on the 7th floor and look out over the river that flows through Rochester. My room is comfortable and will be my home away from home for several days.
The trip was great, the drive entertaining and smooth, music filled the car from classical Wisconsin to the oldies in Minnesota, the route was quite easy, and the destination a pleasant place to be. It is good to be here, safe and sound.
And I'd do it all again in a heartbeat...
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