Graduation Trip - Day 1

After years of COVID-19 cancelations of family milestones, I finally had a chance to attend the graduation ceremony for one of my daughters!  This would, of course, require a lot of driving but I gladly embraced the challenge.  Today, I woke up very early (0530) and teleworked all morning and early afternoon. At 1345, I took two busses (and walked) to Airport to get Rental Car.  The process was a bit frustrating but I was home by 1515.  After that, I teleworked some more (until 1600).  I'd already done most of my packing so was able to leave Hanover by about 1630.  After getting on I-89 to cross the Connecticut River, I used I-91 all the way into Massachusetts (listened to audiobooks on the way).  The weather was good and traffic wasn't too bad.  I'd planned to see my nephew, Johnny, in the UMASS area and arrived at Whatley Diner by 1730.  However, Johnny (because I mixed up the dates) thought I was coming the next day.  Fortunately, we'd resolved this issue before I got there and my nephew was waiting for me.  We ate dinner (I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans and blueberry pie while Johnny had a cheeseburger with some sides) and had a great conversation.  Our visit was finished at 1845 and I departed on I-91.  I'd thought Eileen and I would end up talking (she'd said she was free) but her plans changed.  Instead, I listened to more audio books.  I'd considered using I-84 to reach I-81 but Google Maps said there was a large delay.  Instead, I got off I-91 south of Hartford and continued east on the Parkways (Wilbur Cross, Merritt, etc.) all the way to I-87.  This route allowed me to cross the Hudson on the GW Bridge.  Even though there was lots of traffic, I made it into New Jersey and didn't miss the I-80 exit this time.  After that, I had pretty good driving (some construction) all the way to I-287.  It was already getting very late as I reached I-78.  At that point, Google Maps took me off the Interstate closer to Easton/Phillipsburg than I've done in the past.  The end result was that I ended up paying a huge amount for my fuel at a BP east of Phillipsburg (2225) - I'd seen much better prices a few miles earlier (oh well)... While stopped, I made a reservation for a hotel Rook west of Harrisburg and did my a Duolingo exercise to maintain my bonuses.  After that (2240), I continued west.  Google Maps took me through Phillipsburg until I was on US-22.  I then used this road all the way back to I-78.  The drive on the Interstate was punctuated by slow speeds, trucks, fog and darkness.  Made it to I-81 and the western suburbs of Harrisburg before midnight.  Fortunately, there was no traffic beyond that point and I arrived at the Rodeway Inn in Carlisle by 0030.  It took a while to check into the room but, once I was there, I set up my computers for an early start the next morning.  Before going to sleep, I did some reading and was asleep by 0115.  Whew!