Nomad Life - Day 163

This morning, I woke up at 0515 (before alarm) and spent time reading, doing puzzles and working on Duolingo exercises.  At 0600, I started teleworking, with only a short break for breakfast (0745).  Once I was back in my room again, I went back to teleworking and continued online until just after noon.  I took another break for lunch (which I made in my room) and then worked until 1530.  Leaving my hotel as soon as I could, I got on Business US-31 (later, IN-933 and MI-51) and drove north.  Once I was in Niles, I began looking for the Madeline Bertrand County Park, which I'd heard had some cross country ski trails, and finally arrived there at 1550.  Next, it took me about 10 minutes to get my ski equipment out of the car top carrier.  Feeling hopeful, I donned my boots and my (old) Salomon skis and was ready to start some fun on the trails at 1605.  Unfortunately, the man selling passes at the entrance to the trail system told me "we lock the gates promptly at 1700".  At that point, with less than 50 minutes, I realized it wasn't worth the cost ($8) for such a short adventure.  Reluctantly, I left the park drove to a nearby field I'd earlier seen (it turned out to be the property of an Evangelical Free Church) and parked in the plowed lot there (1620).  I'm sure almost everyone who saw me during the next hour probably laughed but I managed to get nearly two miles of skiing in that location.  Fortunately, there were already some snowmobile tracks that made this easier - when I tried to break some new trail, I found it very difficult because of the heavy eight inches of snow.  Next (1720), I drove north (suing unplowed back streets) from the "ski field" towards downtown Niles.  I was searching for a Brewery that had signs posted everywhere but it turned out to be a significant distance away and I had trouble getting on US-12 (which I'd need to use to reach it).  Instead, I gave up and drove to the nearby Iron Shoe Distillery, where I was able to sample a flight of delicious drinks (bourbon, rye, single malt, whisky barrel aged rum, limoncello and "orangecello").  Along the way, I ordered some dinner ("the special", which was a good chicken sandwich and fries).  It was a pleasant ambiance - lots of '80s music.  I finally departed at 1845 and, from downtown Niles, I drove (more unplowed surface streets) back to MI-51 and went in search of a Walmart which was holding a new ink cartridge for me (unfortunately, the one I just bought last week leaked out all over the place). I finally arrived there and picked up my ink cartridge at 1905.  Before departing, I tried to recycle bottles and cans but had no luck because the machines couldn't ID them.  Also, there were some ominous warning signs on the machines about not bringing recyclables from other states.  Once I gave up on this project, I decided to try to get the rest of my daily step goal by walking around inside the Walmart building.  Between 1915 and 1955, I logged 1.8 miles (reached 10K steps).  Leaving the store, I carefully made my way out of the parking lot - I couldn't find a traffic light to access MI-51 until I had already gotten on that road...  From Niles, I made my way south and back into Indiana - I arrived at my hotel just after 2010.  The rest of the evening was consumed with eBird, Duolingo, reading and movies and I finally went to sleep at 2230.  Very glad to have gotten some time on skis today!

Nomad Life - Day 162

My first day in the Eastern Time Zone required an alarm clock to wake me up at 0600.  After getting out of bed, I drowsily started teleworking immediately.  I took one break for breakfast in the lobby of the Baymont (South Bend) at 0730 and then returned to work.  Without further interruptions, I worked until noon and made lunch in my room.  After my meal. I did some reading until 1300 before resuming my work day.  I finished up my hours by the end of my last meeting (1600).  After that, I left the hotel and drove a short distance (south on US-31 Business) to the west end of the Notre Dame Campus.  In the Dorr Parking Lot I had trouble driving around the mostly-unplowed lot but eventually found an open spot (no charge after 1600).  Starting at 1615, I started walking around familiar haunts of the campus; even though I'd been here last Spring, there were still several things I'd neglected to do and see.  First, I walked completely around St. Mary's Lake (it was hard going because of the roughly 8 inches of snow on the ground), visited the Grotto (saw students praying there) and went inside (for the first time), Remick Family Hall, which I learned was a post-graduate teacher college.  Next, I looked around inside the Main Building.  As I had in May, I visited the Hall of Honor Wall.  This time, I noticed some new plaques (posted there in memory of some of my professors); before departing, I sent a photo of Dr. Craig's plaque to Eileen. Exiting the Main Building on the south end, I headed over to La Fortune Student Center (closed last Spring) and found some familiar things (barber shop, flower shop, bank, etc.).  There were also some improvements: they had a nice display of all the editions of "The Shirt", a wonderful Game Room, a Multicultural area, etc.  The best part, though, was that there were lots of students in the building - it reminded me of my time on Campus.  Departing the "Union", I explored the area near the Hesburgh Library (found Robert Moran Engineering Chair etching) and the Jordan Science Hall (returned to Dominic's family bench in front and sent him a photo).  While looking for the Loftus Sports Center, I found myself inside (only because someone let me in when they were exiting) the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.  In the lobby, I found the 1988 National Championship Trophy, Heisman Trophies for all of ND's winners and a huge statue of the Four Horsemen.  Just as I was finished marveling, some nice people started shooing me out...  Continuing to the north and west, I found new parking lots, watched the Army ROTC students wrapping up their classes and then made my way to the southeast corner of Grace Hall.  On the way, I got to see the (lit!) "#1" sign on the roof and then took a look at my dorm room window from sophomore year (1988-1989).  High above that room (way up on the 11th floor), I could see my dorm room from freshman year dorm (1987-1988). From there, I made a full loop around St. Joseph Lake and was impressed by the huge number of birds I saw on the (unfrozen) surface of the water.  I even met some birders (Engineering students but also volunteers with eBird).  I stayed for a while with them, watching the activity through some wonderfully capable "long scopes".  At one point, every bird lifted off the lake and covered the sky with their wings.  As the sun finished setting, I got some more nostalgic sights (e.g., Golden Dome lit up) and sounds (chimes ringing in Sacred Heart).  I was done with my walk at 1900 and departed (by car) from the Dorr Road Lot.  At that point, I started looking for a place to get some dinner.  Driving north on Business US-31 until passing the Indiana Toll Road, I found myself on IN-923 and experienced lots more Deja Vu with several old businesses in that area.  I ended up traveling into Michigan (road became MI-51) and briefly considered stopping for dinner at a restaurant I found in Niles (near the junction with US-12).  In the end, though, I wasn't "feeling it", so I backtracked to my hotel again.  After arriving at 1930, I ate "dinner" (snacks) in my room and then spent the rest of the evening reading and watching movies.  Bedtime was at 2215.  Happy I took the trip down memory lane today!

Nomad Life - Day 161

Last night I realized that I'd likely be transitioning to the Eastern Time Zone today so I decided to try to get my circadian rhythm in sync.  With that thought in mind, I woke up at 0500 (alarm needed) and started teleworking immediately.  After my first meeting of the day, I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of the Super 8 (Davenport).  With the morning meal completed, I went back to work and didn't stop again until I had finished all my hours (1300).  Just before turning off my computer, I made lunch in my room and, after finishing the meal, I loaded up my car.  Outside, it was 29 F and sunny - another clear, blue day!  Next, I departed the hotel and got on I-80, which I followed to I-74.  After continuing (south) through Bettendorf, I crossed the Mississippi River on a beautiful new bridge and entered the city of Moline (Illinois).  With the Mississippi behind me, I truly began to feel like I was back on the East Coast...  Before departing the Quad Cities, I stopped to visit the Deere-Wiman House in Moline (1325).  Even though I couldn't go inside the building (it required prior arrangements for a tour), I walked around the grounds.  Next, I moved my car (a few blocks) so I could explore, a nearby green space called Velie Park.  I was hoping to get a good view from the plateau there but found too many trees blocking the view.  There was, however, a nice monument to the Spanish American War.  I also encountered a nice old man who wanted to talk - at first, I believe he thought I was local and commented on the 30+ degree day.  When I told him I was just visiting, he started extolling the virtues of Moline and described how the Viking River Cruise ships docked at the waterfront below to give tourists a view of this "important area".  It was nice to meet such a passionate ambassador!  After getting my fill of the crisp air (1345), I left Moline at and got back on I-74 (still headed south).  When I reached I-280, I followed that Interstate to the east.  As I mentioned, the temps had risen well into the 30s - I started wishing I wasn't driving... Before long, I reached the merge with I-80 and continued east until I reached Bureau County.  With a long drive ahead of me, I didn't plan any stops; but then I saw a big sign for Ronald Reagan Birthplace and exited the Interstate.  I've long wanted to see that landmark but have always been in a hurry when I passed nearby.  So, I followed the prominent signage north on IL-40, west on I-92 and north on I-172 until I reached the town of Tampico (1500).  In the center of the little hamlet (I think the population was about 800), I found plaques, statues, banners and monuments that celebrated the 40th President.  After wandering around on the Main Street (no coat required), I eventually found the "birth apartment" - it had a sign and seemed to be (or have been) the second floor of bank building.  After that, I backtracked towards I-80 (by a reverse reverse route), stopping briefly at the Hennepin Canal and Tow Path (Bridge 56) to get in some more steps.  By the time I reached the Interstate again, I realized my sightseeing had ended up being about a 45 mile round trip detour from the exit.  Don't regret the decision, though!  Continuing east again, I passed the time on the lonely prairie by listening to SiriusXM and audiobooks.  Even though I passed through the area close to Dixon, which was apparently the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan, I didn't stop.  Maybe next time!  I drove through Peru (La Salle County) at 1555 and Morris (Grundy County) at 1615.  During this phase of the drive, I started to see a lot more snow on the ground and the traffic began increasing.  It was quite clear that I was getting into the Chicago Metro area and this realization was amplified by annoyed construction zones with speed enforced by camera (55 mph for a while, then 45 mph).  Hoping to avoid a ticket, I stayed under the limits, even though everyone else was blowing by me.  Once I reached Joliet (1640), I got a warning from Google Maps about a traffic jam ahead.  Unwisely, I the apps advice and departed the Interstate to follow a convoluted trail of side streets.  The time of arrival really didn't change but it was slow going (lots of lights and traffic).  At one point, I ended up on a road with a (stalled ?) train that wasn't moving from the road.  Without delay, I balked at the route and tried another way - Google then took me through a maze of streets until I crossed into Indiana.  I should note that I never got any TMPS warning lights at all today - maybe that's a good sign?  Anyway, I stopped for dinner at Taco Bell in Muncie and also recycled old tech and an ink cartridge at Staples in the same parking lot (done with both tasks by 1750).  By then, I was only a stone's throw away from I-80.  When I got on the highway again, though, I found myself in a traffic jam immediately.  Dang...  Fortunately, the slow down (caused by cops/car in far left lane) didn't last long; within a mile, the speeds opened up a good bit.  Soon after clearing the slow down, I switched to I-94 and it got dark.  At around the same time, I realized I'd found the "real Winter", with lots of snow piled along the side of the Interstate.  Strangely, it reminded me of my four years in Michiana and didn't seem so bad.  Other than snow along the edge of the road, the surface seemed normal and the speed of the traffic seemed unaffected.  Temps were in the mid 20s by this point but, I think, they might have had some melting during the daytime.  Near the town of Springfield, I got off the Interstate and took US-20, which I followed for about 30 miles to the east before switching to IN-2.  I had to stop at several traffic lights along the way but the road remained a four lane until I reached the west side of South Bend / Mishawaka.  I don't recall being on the "new US-31" before (sort of a beltway) but I enjoyed the drive around the Northwest side of the city on that road and ended up intercepting Business US-31 (the old US-33/31 Highway near the Notre Dame Campus) from the north.  Somewhere during this time, I realized I'd reentered the Eastern Time Zone for the first time since mid September...  I arrived at hotel in South Bend (Baymont) at the "new" 2015, checked into my room and got organized.  Hoping to catch up on my steps (since I'd only walked about 1.5 miles for the day by that point), I went looking for the Fitness Center.  It turned out to be very limited (broken equipment) but, starting at 2045, I walked on the one functioning treadmill for almost three miles in one hour.  Afterwards, I checked out the Pool area (closed for renovations).  This place was definitely not as good as my last Baymont!  I spent the rest of the evening reading, catching up on Duolingo and getting tired.  My bed time was at the "new" 2315 and I quickly fell asleep.  It feels good to be back in South Bend!

Nomad Life - Day 160

Like last Sunday, I didn't plan to drive anywhere today.  Bonus: I slept very well and didn't even think about getting up until 0630.  After my eyes were open, I spent time reading, doing Duolingo exercises and finishing puzzles.  At 0745, I went to breakfast in the lobby of the Super 8 (Davenport).  Sadly, there were very limited selections and the pancake machine was broken.  Eventually, the staff fixed it for me (the only guest in the dining area).  After finishing my "meal", I returned to my room and spent the rest of the morning working on finances, planning for upcoming lodging and continuing work on the digitization project.  Meanwhile, it was snowing outside so I deferred my plans for outdoor fun.  At around noon, I ate "lunch" (snacks).  When I was ready to leave the hotel (1330), I came outside to about an inch of snow and temps in the mid 20s.  I used US-61 Business (with one mistake that took me on to US-6) and US-67.  Before long, I crossed the Mississippi River on the Centennial Bridge.  It was strange to think that this was my first time on the east side of the River since September 2025!  Using IL-92, I explored the waterfront area of Rock Island (IL) and, at 1355, parked in lot by the river that was next to the Schwiebert Riverfront Park.  Not completely sure that my car was sitting in a good place, I walked around nearby and found bike trail that followed the top of the levy.  There were SO many waterfowl!  This gave me the impression that there must be a parking lot for that somewhere nearby.  Before moving my car, though, I explored historic Rock Island downtown area.  After that, I moved east "up river" and found a better place to leave my car (Botanical Gardens) before I resumed my walk on the Quad Cities Riverway.  During this part of my day, it was snowing steadily and there was a light breeze.  I backtracked to downtown Rock Island, then checked out the bridge to the Rock Island Arsenal (didn't cross) before continuing my walk upriver.  The bike path was isolated between two tall fences (one for the river and one for industrial properties) and I was itching to get off the trail by the time I reached Sylvan Island.  During this time, I was impressed by the behavior of the partially frozen Mississippi River.  There were lots of birds on the water and in the trees above and there were several small islands scattered nearby.  After checking out Sylvan Island (I even crossed a pedestrian bridge to reach it), I started looking for a way out of the green space.  I noticed a John Deere statue in the parking lot for the island and, after maneuvering through sides streets that connected lots of manufacturing and farming businesses, I finally reached a main street.  By this point, I could why this place is popular with the politicians during the Caucuses - lots of Labor, Agriculture, etc.  As I walked west on side of the road, I ended up on the edge of a major railyard.  Near the old Depot (for sale!), I found a monument to the construction of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River.  I reached my car (after walking four miles) at 1545 and decided to cross the River into Davenport.  The bridge I chose took me across the property of the Rock Island Arsenal but I couldn't access it (gate closed).  I parked right near the north end of the bridge to Davenport and got a great photo of the "Welcome" sign.  Nearby, I spotted the Great River Brewery and decided to go in there for some beer tasting (1600).  It wasn't too busy so I decided to order food (panini-like sandwich & Caesar salad).  The nice lady bartender was a wealth of information and she pointed out that the Quad Cities was the only place where the Mississippi flows West to East, has the longest "Roller Dam" and (as I'd seen in town) boasted the first bridge across the Mississippi River.  After finishing up my drinks and dinner, I (re)crossed the river to Rock Island again.  On the way (1730), I stopped briefly at Fort Armstrong (built in 1816) - there were nice views there of the bridges along the river (they were lit up for the night, even though it wasn't dark yet).  I arrived at my goal, St. Pius X Catholic Church, at 1745 and was one of the first parishioners in the building.  When Mass began (1800), there still weren't many people.  The priest appeared to be from somewhere in Eastern Europe and he gave a good Homily.  The service was over by 1845 and I exited the church to find it was snowing much harder than it had been earlier.  Carefully, I drove back to Davenport using surface streets and the Centennial Bridge.  Before long, I was backtracking on Business US-61.  By this point, my gas tank was nearly empty so I stopped for (cheap) gas at Stop N Go before heading back to my hotel room (arrived at 1910).  I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching movies and finally went to bed at 2215.  Glad I got a better feel for the Quad Cities today!

Nomad Life - Day 159

I had a good night's sleep at the Baymont (Des Moines Airport) and, since I didn't set an alarm, I stayed in bed until 0615.  All I could thin about when I awoke was "thank goodness there is no teleworking today!"  I love my job, generally, but making my way to the East Coast is a lot easier when I don't have to wait at the hotel all day...  Before getting ready, I spent time reading, doing Duolingo exercises and completing puzzles.  At 0730, I went to breakfast in the dining area of the hotel (very close to my room).  Next, I went back to the Fitness Center and walked for 3.15 miles on the treadmill (60 minutes).  I was also able to complete a workout on the recumbent stationary bike (4.6 miles in 20 minutes).  There were several other people in the gym with me and I worried for a little while if I'd have access to equipment I wanted to use - fortunately, the others took only a little time on each machine.  However, when I went to the pool with the goal of logging some laps, I found kids were using it.  No swimming for me today, unfortunately...  Instead, I returned to my room (0930) to prepare for departure.  There was time for blogging and making arrangements for my upcoming evening in the Quad Cities area.  I ultimately left my hotel at 1145 - by then, it was 17 F but very sunny (no clouds).  I used surface streets to reach I-235 (north side of Des Moines) and, once I was on the Interstate, crossed the Des Moines River).  My initial destination was the Iowa State Capital Complex and I arrived there at noon.  After finding an area designated for Visitor Parking (just like in Lincoln), I spent time walking around near the Capitol.  The architecture was rather stunning, actually, and looked like something out of Eastern Europe.  Nearby, I found lots of interesting monuments to veterans of various wars, memorials to beloved politicians and (probably most surprising of all) a statue of Christopher Columbus.  At 1215, I got back in my car and used surface streets to return to I-235, which I followed to I-80.  As I continued east, I passed near Baxter (Jasper County) at 1240.  In that area, I was surprised to find that there was still no snow on the ground.  There were, however, lots of rolling hills, more remnants of the harvested cornstalks and windmill farms.  I was glad to see that the temperatures had risen (up to 22 F) and this gave me a hope that I'd have more fun walking outside when I reached the Herbert Hoover National Historical Site, which I planned to visit before stopping for the night.  As I drove, I went through Victor (Iowa County) at 1325 and Oxford (Johnson County) at 1345.  By then, I'd begun to pass lots of state troopers.  Passing the time with audiobooks, I very much enjoyed the wonderful weather and scenery.  At 1405, I arrived in the town of West Branch and very easily found the the Herbert Hoover NHS.  Inside of the NPS Visitor Center, I explored the exhibits and learned more about the 31st President, including his early life in the town (first President born west of the Mississippi), his becoming an orphan and moving to Oregon, his attendance at Stanford University, working life as an engineer, philanthropist and favorite son of Iowa and West Branch.  Sadly, the nearby Presidential Library & Museum was closed for renovation.  However, I was able to tour a recreation of the old village - most of the buildings were original but had been moved from the main town to create the feel of 1870s/1880s Iowa.  They had a school house, Quaker Meeting House and Hoover's father's blacksmith shop - the highlight, though, was a place called the "Birthplace Cottage."  Before I was done with my nearly two mile walk on the grounds of the NHS, I visited the grave of the President and his wife.  Along the way, there was plenty of (really good) birding!  I concluded my visit just after 1500 and got back on I-80.  I listened to more audiobooks (making good progress through "Zorba the Greek").  As I passed through Stockton (Scott County) at 1530, I started feeling very tired.  Luckily, I was getting close to my hotel, the Super 8 (Davenport) by then.  By 1550, I'd checked into my room and was settled within 10 minutes.  I'd had big plans to work hard at that point but, as the drowsiness continued, I ended up lounging around with no sense of urgency to be productive.  For the rest of the evening I read a book that I needed to return to the library within the next week ("East of Eden" and made dinner in my room.  When I finally got to watching movies (now a daily habit, I think), I had to fight to stay awake as the time ticked away between about 1930 and 2100.  In the end, I barely made it to my bedtime of 2145!  It's been decades (since February 1988) since I had a few days in the Quad Cities - hoping I can do some exploring but, also, get some rest and relaxation here this time...

Nomad Life - Day 158

Now in Iowa, thoughts about the drive east had moved to the forefront of my mind.  East of the Mississippi, my friends were complaining (on social media) about the terrible weather conditions (extreme cold and deep snow) - that didn't make me want to continue my journey in their direction...  In the present, though, I got up at 0530 (alarm needed) and started teleworking.  I thought my hotel, the Super 8 (Council Bluffs) had breakfast but they apologized that they didn't.  As a result, I ended up deferring a morning meal and continued working through the morning.  At one point, I was interrupted by the cleaning staff, who didn't seem to know about my late checkout.  Undeterred, I stayed online until 1200 and reached 6.5 hours for my work day.  After noon, I checked out of my hotel and, while packing up my car, found that a bit of snow had fallen on my car.  The temps were steady at 14 F and the conditions were overcast and windy.  After driving (via I-80 and I-29) east for a little bit, I found a shopping area on the far eastern edge of Council Bluffs.  In that area, gas was very cheap (close to $2 a gallon in places!).  Since I'd ordered ahead, I picked up my lunch at Panera (1215) and finished it inside the warm restaurant.  Afterwards, I went grocery shopping (using a gift card) at a nearby Target.  This trip was opportune, since I'd run out of essential supplies during the last week... Finished at 1245, I returned to the parking lot to find it was still windy and cold.  Deciding not to let these conditions affect my plans, I made my way north to the nearby Lewis and Clark Monument (arrived there at about 1300).  The monument was located on top of a high bluff above the Missouri River, with a commanding view of the prairie (and Omaha) to the west.  Apparently, this site was the setting for the first Indian Council conducted by the Expedition (August 1804) and later gave backing to the name for the town of Council Bluffs.  The bluffs were comprised of yellow dirt and stone that fell out of exposed hills as they eroded; the underlying soil wasn't visible in the immediate area of the monument but I saw it later.  When I was finished learning about the history and topography of the eastern side of the Missouri, I used surface streets (including Old Lincoln Highway) to make my way to I-80.  From that junction, the Interstate actually headed northeast until it (re)joined I-880.  As I drove east (entered Cass County at 1410), I passed lots of big windmills on both sides of the highway and dodged light, blowing snow.  The highway traveled through lots of farms with fields that still showed the remnants of harvested corn because there was no snow cover.  For most of the drive today, I was getting annoying messages about my Subaru's TPMS, even though the tire pressure was normal.  Hopefully, these electrical issues will stop before long... Before long, I saw signs that talked about a "Danish Windmill" and decided to stop for a look.  Once off I-80, I drove north (on IA-173) into the town of Elk Horn (Shelby County) and, at 1420, I stopped t get photos of the interesting landmark.  The air was cold and biting (mostly due to the wind) but I wandered around a park nearby to read signs with lots of interesting data about the Danes in Iowa (and their Viking ancestors).  Nearby, I noticed a road sign about a place called "Little Mermaid Park" and decided to go looking for it.  This was easier said than done, since I didn't have cell signal in this town.  After unsuccessfully seeking additional signage, I explored on the countryside until my iPhone picked up a tower.  From there, I was directed to the town of Kimballton.  Arriving at 1435, I found the park to be quite nice, despite the fact that the fountain was turned off for the Winter.  I walked around a bit nearby and found lots of little statues inspired by Hans Christian Andersen stories (e.g., Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, etc.).  There was also a mural (painted on a rock) that connected to John James Audubon (namesake of the County).  From this town, Google Maps took me back towards the east, mostly on gravel farm roads, so that I could visit the nearby Danish Countryside Winery.  I arrived at 1450 and, after rousing the proprietor (he wasn't on site initially), I was able to do some wine tasting.  In the end, I tried five vintages ("Tivoli Celebration", "Maid of the Harbor", "Catawba Sunset" and two others that were tinged with blueberry and cherry flavors) for a very reasonable price.  I ended up talking with the Vintner, Loren, and learned that he was a Lutheran Minister who used his wine during services at his nearby church.  He also turned out to be an Air Force construction sergeant so we had a lot to talk about.  The conversation even strayed into Theological topics and we talked for a long time.  Ultimately, I didn't depart until after 1600!  Once I got (reluctantly) back into my car, I drove east on Littlefield Drive (AKA Audubon County Road F58).  Along the way, I passed through Exira and crossed US-71.  After that, I continued (same road) all the way to I-80.  During this time, Brenna called; it was great to hear from her but we couldn't talk long because of the bad cell service in the area. By then, I'd gotten back on I-80 (synonymous with US-6) and resumed my drive to the east.  There was a lot of truck traffic and cars "parked" in the left lane during this phase of the drive.  Meanwhile, I passed through Adair County, Madison County and Dallas County while listening to audiobooks.  Somehow, I missed a chance to stop at the Jesse James Train Robbery site near Adair - dang.  At around this time, I also passed signs for a NPS Unit called "Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area".  (When I looked it up later, it appeared to be a huge zone of Americana in northeastern Iowa.)  Eventually, I got off I-80 and took I-35 to the south; I used that to reach IA-5.  From there, I drove east until reaching Veterans Parkway.  By 1720, I'd found my hotel, a Baymont by Wyndham, (Des Moines Airport) and checked in (it was reward night).  After getting into my room about 10 minutes later, I resumed teleworking immediately.  Outside my window, the sun had just set and there was a lovely orange glow for a while afterwards.  Upon reaching the required 1.5 hours of additional work (1900), I left my room and walked around the hotel (to get my bearings).  During this time, I reached two miles of walking for the day - the potential for more arose when I found a fitness center and a pool.  To take advantage of this opportunity, though, I had to go back out into the frigid (low double digits by this time) air to get my workout/swim gear.  The upside of this unplanned trip outdoors, however, was that I got a great view of Jupiter next to the moon.  Before starting my workout, I ate "dinner" (snacks).  In the Fitness Center and Pool, I completed one mile on the treadmill (20 minutes), 4.5 miles on the recumbent stationary bike (20 minutes) and 0.25 miles of lap swimming (15 minutes).  After that, I took in a sauna for 10 minutes and jacuzzi for 15 minutes.  During this whole time, there was only one other person nearby (a lady) and I enjoyed the peace and solitude.  Once I reached my room again (2130), I spent time online taking care of emails and then read for a little while.  For once, I didn't' watch any movies!  By 2315, I was ready for bed.  This Baymont hotel turned out to be a wonderful location - it seems to be a major Conference Center and is connected with a flatbed trucking school (next door).  The amenities are great and I hope to take advantage of them again in the morning!

Nomad Life - Day 157

This morning, I woke up (with my alarm at 0530) with the knowledge that it was time to move on to a new place again.  Putting this thought aside, I immediately got started with my telework day.  Meanwhile, I saw that it was snowing outside (temps at 16 F) and that my car was already covered!  During a short break, I went to the lobby of the Rodeway Inn (Lincoln) and picked up some breakfast (the lady gave me lots more granola bars again).  Otherwise, I continued working until I reached 6.5 hours - the rest would have to wait until my next hotel...  By then (1200), it was sunny and the snow had stopped (temps had risen into the 20s).  After packing up my car and dusting off all the snow, I drove east on O- Street (US-6 until it became US-34) and located the Nebraska State Capitol building.  I found it strange that there was paid parking almost everywhere but that they also seemed to have short term visitor parking very close to the Capitol.  They definitely are going for a "People's House" idea!  While there (1215 to 1230), I walked around the entire building and, nearby, found the first state government building and other historic markers.  The weather was pleasant and I would have kept exploring if I didn't have anywhere else to be.  Instead, I drove north (via I-180) to I-80.  On the way, I listened to audiobooks.  While on this section of Interstate (Lincoln to Omaha), I encountered a LOT of state troopers...  At 1315, I stopped at Flying J in Gretna for gas.  For the first time in many years, I had trouble with the pump (it acted like it was "stuck").  By the time I'd sorted everything out, I noticed that the price had increased by $0.06!  Still, the cost per gallon was much lower than I'd seen on the West Coast... After my tank was full (1325), I drove south (NE-31) and west for a little bit in hopes of visiting the Holy Family Shrine.  Unfortunately, it was closed and had ominous "do not trespass" signs.  Still, I got some good views from the road.  It looked like a soaring wedding sanctuary and I kept thinking about a similar building I saw in Arkansas with my friends (John and Laura).  At 1330, I drove back towards town and, after crossing over I-80, stopped at Nebraska Crossing, a huge outdoor mall complex.  Hoping to find some food, I walked around and marveled at the idea that anyone would enjoy an outdoor shopping area, ala Southern California, in this part of the country.  Several businesses had closed and there weren't many food choices.  Fortunately, I did get a good bit of walking and reached one mile for the day.  Looking for better options, I next drove north on US-6 until I found a local Runza franchise.  After ordering (a burger and side of a "meat pocket") at 1355, I ate my lunch inside the mostly empty restaurant.  Once I was done easting, I returned to the Interstate and redirected my drive towards the Lauritzen Gardens, which were located along the western side of the Missouri River.  After driving through the entire city of Omaha, I arrived at my destination at 1445.  Using an electronic kiosk outside the main building, I bought a ticket and then went looking for the Thomas Dambo trolls that were on special display at the park (there were six and I found them all).  With the increasing temperatures by this point, was I pleasantly surprised to find so many birds on the grounds of the garden.  Bonus: wild turkeys!  While the winter weather had clearly made most of the flowering plants dormant, I was pleased to be able to explore several kinds (Japanese, Lithuanian, model train, etc.) of gardens.  I encountered deer inside the park and passed by lots of construction that was clearly going to improve the visitor experience.  Altogether, I was at the Gardens for about 90 minutes and logged nearly three miles of walking.  Before departing, I also checked out the indoor parts of the garden (they had huge greenhouses and pleasant covered courtyards).  At 1615, I walked across the parking lot and climbed up a steep hill (fortunately, there were steps).  At the top, I found a memorial to the Union Pacific Railroad and a monument to the Transcontinental Railroad.  The signs claimed that it actually began in Omaha, I guess because there were tracks to the east of that location before the Act which created the nationwide system.  From the top of the hill, I got some amazing views of Missouri River and Iowa to the east.  Even better, there were some HUGE train engines up there!  After finishing my visit to Lauritzen Gardens (1635), I started looking for a train trestle I'd learned about at the park.  There was a photo of an impressive (hundreds of feet tall) bridge and a location that made me want to see it.  I drove west from the Gardens and tried to locate 32nd Street (eastern edge of the zone).  On the way, I stumbled across signs for the Gerald R. Ford Birthplace and Gardens.  When I changed my focus to this landmark (1655), I discovered it o be a nice little historical park. The home had been demolished but there was a model, artifacts and exhibits connected with the late President's life and lots of stone monuments to Nebraska leaders there too.  Finished at 1705, I continued my search for the train trestle - I finally gave up when I reached 60th Street because the traffic was getting annoying.  Instead, I got back on I-80 and drove east to Council Bluffs, IA.  I arrived at my hotel (Super 8) by 1730, parked in a Veterans parking spot (nice) and checked into my room easily.  Almost immediately, I resumed by telework day and worked 1.5 more hours.  Before retiring for the night, I read, did Duolingo puzzles and watched movies - I turned out the lights at 2230.  Farewell, Nebraska, I really enjoyed my visit!

Nomad Life - Day 156

Somehow, I woke up at 0530 without needing my alarm!  I was teleworking by 0600 and only took one short break to pick up breakfast in the lobby of the Rodeway Inn (Lincoln).  This time, the lady at the front desk was very nice and let me have several additional granola bars (making my meal more substantial).  Otherwise, I kept working for the rest of the morning and, at noon, made lunch in the room.  My telework day ended at 1500 and I then spent time doing some Thanksgiving planning, making business phone calls, etc. As a result, I didn't leave my hotel room until much later than I'd planned.  This (intentional) delay caused me to miss out on the best weather day of the week - temps were in the mid 30s and there was some good sunlight.  Even more indicative of the great conditions: ice melted in the parking lot and I could see the parking spot lines for the first time!  Finally, at 1645, I left the hotel and drove east (via US-6), searching for a place to park at University of Nebraska Lincoln.  This goal was much harder to achieve than I'd hoped - there were so many rules, so many strange directional signs and so many restrictions!  It wasn't until just before 1700 when I gave up on parking on the camps and got out of my car at the lot next to the Amtrak Station (near the Pinnacle Bank Arena) again.  I'd thought that parking was free there after 5 PM but, unfortunately, the signs indicated it wouldn't be free until an hour later - dang!  From there, I resumed my search for parking closer to the center of "UNL".  Along the way, I drove through the area of town called the Historic Haystack District and realized this provided a reason for the name of the baseball field I'd passed earlier.  Actually, I'd been in this area the previous night (while looking for a way back to my hotel) but hadn't realized what it was.  The zone was filled with bars, shopping and an old-town vibe.  Not wanting to give up on learning about the campus, though, I ignored the urge to try out another Brewery...  Finally (1715), I decided to park in spots reserved for guests to the Natural History Museum.  Hoping to follow the rules on the signage, I walked around nearby, looking for the actual building.  Along the way, I was able to walk inside the College of Business building - it was very fancy.  Also in this area, I got up-close views of the Memorial (Football) Stadium.  Eventually, I spied a statue of a giant mammoth and realized I'd found the museum in question.  At the front door of the building, I discovered that they had just closed.  However, one member of the staff came outside to talk with me.  In addition to telling me not to worry about the parking enforcement, Adam (who was originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland), was a wealth of knowledge about fossil hunting in Nebraska.  He told me about the mammoth, affectionately named "Archie", and explained that "90 of 93 counties in Nebraska have fossils and the rest may too".  I was particularly fascinated to learn that one site (with prehistoric rhinoceros) was still being excavated and was open to the public during the summer.  This conversation was so true to my Nomad Life experiences that it definitely raised my spirts high!  After saying goodbye to Adam (1730), I wandered around the campus for the next  90 minutes.  Along the way, I visited the Nebraska Union and bought some dinner at Chick-fil-A (1750).  In addition, I passed several historical buildings, walked through the Sports Hall of Fame gateway and even watched classes taking place in buildings nearby.  One of these was clearly a classics or religion class because the monitor behind the professor showed diagrams of cathedrals.  Almost everyone I encountered was (at least) three decades younger than me - the campus was actually very busy and it was nice to see such active young people.  In the end (1850), I discovered that I had walked over four miles!  Overall, I felt good about what I'd seen.  Like last night, I had some trouble getting out of the area again and, even though I briefly considered stopping for a drink at the Kinkaider Brewing Company again and another place I passed ("Top Hat Pub"), I decided against staying out later.  Instead, I made my way (via I-180 and the Cornhusker Highway) towards I-80/US-77 and was back at my hotel by 1900.  I spent the rest of the evening catching up on eBird, Duolingo and reading.  Later, I watched one movie until bed time (2230).  Very glad that I was able to get a personal feel for one of the big features of Lincoln!

Nomad Life - Day 155

Changing time zones isn't fun - I needed my alarm clock to wakeup at the "new" 0630 (old 0530) but I'm relieved that I didn't set it for earlier...  I started teleworking immediately and, along the way, ate snacks for my breakfast.  Hours later, I remembered that I was promised a free breakfast from the hotel; when I went to the lobby of the Rodeway (Lincoln), however, the only thing they gave me was a fruit cup, a granola bar and a bottle of water.  Not going to get filled up on that...  Anyway, I worked for the rest of the morning and, at noon, I made lunch in my room.  I continued working until a doctor appointment I had scheduled (virtual) at 1415.  The doctor didn't come on until more than 15 minutes later but then we only had to talk for about 20 minutes.  After that, I finished up my telework day (1545) and left the hotel in hopes of getting some outdoor exercise.  I'd seen a place on the map called the Lincoln Saline Nature Center that was located only a few miles away and quickly made my way there.  Upon arrival, I found a snowy parking lot next to an expansive marsh area (1600).  There were signs that hinted there might be a building ("Center") but I never encountered any kind of structure.  The temperature was 29 F but the sky was mostly sunny - even better, there was very little breeze.  The snow in the park was only about one inch deep and there wasn't any ice.  These tame conditions allowed me to walk around in the extensive trail system for about three miles.  Along the way, I got some nice views of the (frozen) Salt River and a huge herd of deer.  On the minus side, the park had lots of homeless encampments.  At times, I crossed train tracks (both active and dormant) and encountered some fat rabbits. There were actually a large number of birds in the wetlands and I did some good birding (first time in weeks I've logged new species) - a highlight was seeing a bright red cardinal.  Afterwards (1715), I drove (via US-6, inspiring more memories of Cape Cod) towards the north end of Lincoln.  Along the way, I encountered lots of tailgaters and strange intersections with unpredictable traffic lights.  Bottom line: I had to be on my guard constantly (ughhhh).  Eventually (1730), I arrived at the Super Walmart and picked up some ink for my printer (online order).  Fortunately, I was only in the parking lot for about five minutes and was soon (1740) able to relocate to a nearby restaurant I'd noticed: Runza.  A friend (Kevin A.) had mentioned that Nebraska was known for this unique venue and the "midwestern burrito" type food they sold.  From the outside, it looked popular: the restaurant parking lot was very busy and the drive-thru line was extended out on to the street!  I ordered two flavors (original and cheese) of the eponymous snack and enjoyed them in the restaurant - I could definitely understand the appeal!  Meanwhile, I watched a grandma and her granddaughters talking about the tasty "meat pockets" any why they were so special.  At 1800, I wrapped up my dinner and made my way towards the sports complex that included the Pinnacle Bank Arena.  The parking garages there were mostly empty but charged money (even in the evening).  Fortunately, I found a free place to park near the Amtrak Station and spent some time walking around.  At 1815, I located the Kinkaider Taproom (I'd hoped to check that out) and went inside to sample beers (ordered a flight of five) produced by the Kinkaider Brewing Company.  There was a College Basketball game on the TV and the place was full of Nebraska Cornhusker fans who, apparently, hate the Michigan Wolverines as most Notre Dame football fans do.  With all the noise and excitement, I really didn't talk with anyone.  Instead, I soaked up the ambiance and enjoyed my beers.  Afterwards (1900), I walked back to my car (reached my 10K step goal at that point) and started to head back to my hotel.  This ended up requiring more effort than I'd hoped because of the wide train tracks and elevated major roads.  Instead, I ended up using a roundabout route through the downtown (9th Street and Van Dorn Street, with the latter inspiring memories of Alexandria, VA).  Before long, I was on US-77 and was soon able to reach O Street (AKA US-6) and my hotel again.  I spent the rest of the evening working on eBird, Duolingo and reading.  I also watched some YouTube videos (i.e., news) related to current events.  When I finally went to bed at 2330, I kicked myself because it was past time to start getting adjusted to the "new" time-zone.  Tomorrow probably won't be any easier...

Nomad Life - Day 154

Unlike I usually try to do during my Nomad Life, I was still in Alliance when I woke up this morning, with a plan to move in the middle of the day.  Hoping to get a good start on my telework day, I was up at 0500 (before alarm) and immediately got on my computer.  At 0730, I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of Alliance Hotel (Alliance) and then moved into the workout room for some exercise.  During the following 80 minutes, I used the treadmill (3.25 miles in 60 minutes) and recumbent bike (4 miles in 20 minutes).  I thought about swimming some laps but, instead, went back to my telework at 0920.  Fortunately, I also had time to get a load of laundry going at around the same time.  While the washer worked fine, the dryer didn't - there was enough time to hang dry clothes for a few hours, though.  In the end, I worked all the way until the time of my late checkout (1200).  By then, I'd reached the five hour mark for my work day.  With the indulgence of the hotel's staff, I was able to pack up my car after the official time.  Before departing, I thanked the owner of the hotel for two wonderful stays this month and told him that it was, by far, the best property of any hotel chain I'd visited during my Nomad Life journey.  Next (1210), I drove to nearby a Maverick gas station to fill up my tank and also picked up lunch at McDonalds (1220).  Hoping to get rid of the Christmas Tree lights ("check engine", etc.) on my dash, I drove to nearby Red Beard Garage and Towing (recommended by the hotel) for help.  There was a little bit of reluctance at first (outside temps?) but, in the end, they definitely did a good job.  The only downside was that this visit cost me a lot more than I'd hoped - I'll admit to some unhappy thoughts directed at the Subaru Dealership in Rapid City...  Still, I was able to leave Alliance with a clear dashboard by 1230.  By then, the outside temps were 35 F, the sky was beautiful (sunny) and there was very little wind.  My five (plus) hour drive began when I accessed NE-2 and received a message from Google Maps that I'd be on that same road for over 200 miles.  During the early phases of this trip, I encountered some un-melted snow on the road surface.  Luckily, there was almost no traffic and I was easily able to avoid the hazard.  Meanwhile, I traveled through expansive ranch fields and (occasional) interesting bluffs (mostly near creeks).  Across the prairie, I had expansive visibility for many miles in all directions.  Along the way, I passed many historical signs - most seemed to be about pioneer journeys and "firsts" for the Panhandle.  I passed through Antioch (Sheridan County) at 1250 and reached Ashby (Grant County) a bit later.  By 1330, I reached the town of Hyannis (< 200 pop), which, almost certainly, has to be named for the town on Cape Cod I know so well.  At about this time, I started fighting with another dashboard annoyance: my tire pressures, which had worked so well at higher elevations and colder temperatures, seemed to be setting off the advisory lights.  The rest of the dashboard was clear, fortunately, but I didn't like the thought that my tires might be overinflated.  As a result, I stopped several times to let out a little bit of air.  As for the continuing scenery, though, I was not disappointed - when I passed a lake near the town of Whitman, I saw a soaring Bald Eagle.  After that, I passed through Mullen (Hooker County) and Thedford (Thomas County).  Just about that time, I transitioned (back) into the Central Time Zone - hopefully, this will help with my coordination with East Coast folks...  Imagine my surprise when I noticed the temperature gauge showing 42 F!  I'm not sure I trust that (since the car has been having electrical issues) but it seemed warm when I stopped (again) for the tire issue.  Later, I reached the town of Halsey, I passed a nice looking bike trail system (never could figure out the name) and noticed that there was no more evidence of snow.  I should have mentioned by now the large number of trains (mostly BNSF) that kept passing me during this whole drive - these were impressive!  I think some could have been coal trains because I saw a lot of cinder/coal piled along the road.  The terrain had also changed to being what you might call "drumlins" - the whole area looked like something out of a Highlands inspired golf course.  Beyond this point, I passed through Dunning (Blane County), saw a sign for Brewster (another Cape Cod name?) and reached Anselmo (Custer County).  When the traffic started to get more plentiful, I realized I'd only seen three other cars going in my direction during the previous three hours.  When I reached Broken Bow (1635), the larger size of the town was in stark contrast to all the things I'd seen during the previous few days.  This led to an increase in the number of cops along the way (especially in subsequent small towns).  For some reason, I started to see snow again - there was a lot by the time I passed through Mason Cit (1700).  Wrapping up my prairie passage, I drove through Litchfield (Sherman County) at 1710, Sweetwater (Buffalo County) at 1720 and Cairo (Hall County) at 1735.  The town of Grand Island (really big) had street lights (which I hadn't seen since Alliance) and I was finally able to change the clock in my car.  By 1745, I was on US-281 and only had to drove about 10 miles to reach I-80.  The temps were still at around freezing while the sun was setting and I caught a glimpse of the sunset when I got on the Interstate (1755).  After that, I made good time as I drove east.  I passed the time with audiobooks but had to keep my attention focused on the road because I kept watching trucks pre-emptively changing lanes in front of me, even though traffic levels didn't seem to justify this.  There were also LOTS of tailgaters and some construction.  Before long, though, I arrived at my hotel in (West) Lincoln, the Rodeway Inn (located on US-6 near a big Prison).  When I checked in at 1915, I was rewarded with three nights due to my 2025 loyalty points earned with Wyndham.  As I got settled in my room, the temps dropped all the way down to 20 F - brrrr.  I resumed teleworking immediately and was able to finish my last three hours of work with no issue (mostly because of the time change).  Meanwhile, I had snacks for my dinner.  The heater was not working very well but I was comfortable with it set at the max level (86 degrees).  There was barely any time to watch movies before bed time but I tried.  In the end, I had to force myself to turn out the light (2345).  Looking forward to learning more about Lincoln over the next few days!