Day 25: Chicago, IL to King of Prussia, PA

Today was the parting of Jared and I. It made sense for Jared to head down to North Carolina from Chicago, as I continued east towards Philadelphia. I wanted to visit Chicago first and Todd kindly took the morning off to take us around the city. Jared hadn't overcome his urban driving fear so after 25 days together we waved each other goodbye and he peeled off as Todd and I entered the city.

From 2007 USA Elises

As we neared Chicago I was thinking about what I knew about the place, and realised everything I did know came from The Blues Brothers. This made me feel a little guilty as it's a city that I have always wanted to visit. Todd was a great tour guide though; we drove around for a while and then parked at the Planetarium, which sits over the lake and offers spectacular views of the city. I probably drove him mad though, as all my questions about Chicago were like 'are we near that bit in The Blues Brothers where...'. Sorry Todd!

From 2007 USA Elises

From 2007 USA Elises

From 2007 USA Elises

Rey, who had been at the barbecue the day before, met us at the Planetarium. Todd had to head back to work (I vaguely remember work), but Rey and I continued driving around Chicago, one Ardent Red Elise substituting for the other. We did a quick tour of Chicago neighborhoods, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Pk, and then a quick lunch in Wrigleyville. Chicago has a large 'good' area it seems, extending all up the water front, rather than other cities where the nice areas are separated by unsavoury ones.

Another thing that stood out about Chicago was how civilised the drivers are. There is very little aggression on the road, but the main thing I noticed was how people stop immediately when traffic lights turn amber. In Philly amber means 'ok, only another 15 of you are allowed through'.

After lunch (thanks Rey!) I headed off solo through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. It was a fairly run of the mill drive, although both a car and a truck had a tyre blow out as I was going past. The truck one was particularly dramatic, and I had to swerve a few times to miss the principal debris pieces.

I arrived in Akron, Ohio by early evening and met my friend Robin and her friend Victor for dinner. Robin and I have known each other for a few years now but only now finally met in person. It was a very enjoyable meal with two great people.

From 2007 USA Elises

Feeling invigorated I decided to push on back home to Philadelphia. In Akron we were right on I76, the road which I live off, and Pennsylvania is only and hour and a half or so from where we were. These all make it sound close...oh no. Pennsylvania is pretty big when driving west-east, and it was six or seven hours later when I finally got home. I was glad I did it then rather than staying in another hotel and doing another day of driving; the desire to get back is pretty overwhelming when within touching distance of home.