What a beginning to the day!

I finally got everything packed into the car this morning and left a little before 8:30. After driving several miles I noticed the light that warns the fuel tank is low. Of course there wasn't an exit ramp or a gas station in sight, so I touched the vehicle on the screen, then selected fuel, and lo and behold, it gave me a list of stations nearby. Of course when you are in unfamiliar territory you really can't tell which is closest, and I think the one that said "4.9 miles" was the distance to the exit ramp.

I followed the directions given by the Garmin and seemed to be way out in the northeastern PA countryside. The needle on the gauge seemed to be moving ominously toward Empty, and in checking the entire route (by touching the top center of the screen) I could have cried. There were a number of turns and a number of miles. After driving about 10 miles the GPS announced that I should turn left. I was coming up to an intersection and had the red light. Before my eyes a horse and buggy came whizzing across the intersection - I couldn't estimate the speed, but that horsey was bookin' !

Now I'm really on empty but the car hasn't stopped yet, when I turned my head to the right and there was a fuel station - but not the one I selected. I turned in there pretty quickly and filled the tank. While I was fueling up I noticed an Amish man with the beard and hat filling a gas can from one of the pumps. I speculated on what he was going to be using it for, but figured it had to be some sort of machinery. When he had it filled he walked across the road to it but I didn't see his horse and buggy in sight. The property seemed to be some sort of small mfg plant, so maybe he worked there and was the "gofer", and that was why he was getting fuel. Oh well, I finally got my tank filled and was on my way back to the Interstate.

Traffic wasn't all that bad going west today, but the tolls are pretty steep to drive over a road with many work areas, lane closures, etc. It could have been much worse, but I'm sure sick of road construction, and it is everywhere.

I noted that many trucks are now pulling 3 trailers, which I really don't like the idea of, and I wonder what the effect is on the roadway. I don't like passing them for one thing. The speed for cars on both Ohio & Indiana turnpikes is 70 for cars and 65 for trucks. Enforcement must be in place because most all the trucks weren't going over 65. I eventually slowed down to 65/66 when I thought about my fuel mileage.

Now I'm at the Motel 6 in Hammond, Indiana, and to get here from I-80 was quite an accomplishment and involved a detour. I had just about come to the conclusion that I was a "has-been" when it comes to driving in big city traffic, but maybe I have a few more good trips left. I can't say I like it, but I followed directions and made it without incident. I haven't decided what route I will take to Milwaukee, but I hope I can find something that isn't too close to the Chicago suburbs.

The new Garmin is better than I thought, except I still don't like the voice. I notice she tends to leave the endings off words, such as "Tur left", and when it comes to an exit such as 6-A/B, she tends to stress the "A", so it sounds like "6 Abie". She generally drives me crazy, and I dislike the way she says "recalculating" the worst.

Ah, I should complain. I've driven nearly 800 stressful miles and it hasn't been all that bad. I'm going visiting tomorrow, so I may just come back to this Motel 6 and leave for Milwaukee on Thursday morning.

Oh by the way, as I pulled into the motel parking lot the yellow low fuel warning light came on. Now I have to scramble to find a gas station in the morning.