It was a very gray and overcast day with no sign of sunshine.  I departed the George Craig Travel Plaza by 6:35am at MM 90 with 189 range and headed back to the toll roads for a quick trip to Maumee, OH.  Only 10 miles later at mile marker 100 a truck passed by from Jasper, Indiana… bringing to mind a very dear friend from Marin, CA.  I listened to internet radio,  ABC News Channel, and heard a report about the devastating effects of drowsy driving.  This confirms that the frequent resting approach to my journey makes the safest sense.  Another report was about a company called Vertical Water which is in business to help maintain maple forests.  They are selling maple water, which is the sap from maple trees without all of the cooking down that it takes to turn it into maple syrup.  I will have to find some of this healthy water at Whole Foods Market sometime soon.

I paid the last toll in Indiana with a 5 dollar bill and received 70 cents change at 7:37am.  This was about halfway to the Maumee, OH charger and I had 18,069 on the odometer and 123 range in the car. The Welcome to Ohio sign said, “So Much to Discover”.  For me it will be about discovering my earliest roots since I hope to see the places where I was raised as an infant.  (Details in next post).  As I drove in Ohio I found that most of the barns here are red, and there are a LOT of them.

I paid the $4.25 toll at Exit 59 and arrived in Maumee at 8:40am to charge at the Meijer Superstore.  Odometer was 18,130 with temp of 76 degrees and only 66 range remaining.  Here I saw my first rain since Wyoming.  It started as a very gentle one, but then it developed into a real downpour… good for rinsing off the car!  Freight trains were rumbling by with the track adjacent to this massive parking lot. I noticed a strange sight, a car circling around for more than 10 minutes which appeared to be slowly moving closer to the charging car.  Is it possible that no one was driving and there could be an impending crash?  No, it turns out that the guy in the car was talking on his cell phone while driving in circles.  WEIRD!  And what a waste of gas.  He finally drove away.

I met Lisa as she drove up in a scarlet red 85kw Tesla.  She is from Indianapolis, IN and was on a trip to have fun with friends in Cleveland, OH.  Her kids were in camp and her husband was busy working, so he loaned her his car for this fun break. After speaking with her, I went into the store to purchase 4 rechargeable batteries with charger to get my camera back to functional. I ate some breakfast, called my Mom to talk about Ohio and our family history there, and set off at 11:50am to see Lake Erie and some of the towns where we had lived.  It was pouring rain and had cooled slightly to 73 degrees.  I departed with 203 range.

I had departed Aurora, IL with the plan to drive to Indiana without paying any more tolls for this leg of the journey.  Also, It was about time for me to enjoy some countryside and towns away from the interstates which are crammed with many huge trucks. The route that I took was:  30E to 55 S to 80 E to 57N to US-6 to get to 94 E (Enter Indiana!) to US 20E to 2E to 20/31N and toward Mishawaka, IN via exit 265 onto Cleveland road (8 more miles) to Grape Road where the University Park Mall and the Tesla Superchargers are located. It seems crazy, but it was a very enjoyable day.

Near the Aurora Municipal airport on Hwy 30 there was a place with many historical military planes on display.  I wanted desperately to take a photo of them but my camera batteries had died (sort of funny, given all of the recharging I’ve been doing for the car!).  Driving on Hwy 30 reminded me of Manasquan and Wall in New Jersey but without the circles/roundabouts found there.  (Lush green farmlands). There were lots of cool, old barns and I drove past Lake Renwick where there is a huge bird rookery and preserve.  I laughed out loud when I passed by Durbin’s which advertised proudly the “Beer Pong Wednesdays”.  Alas, it is only Monday.

Since the night was setting in, I saw the most amazing NATURAL fireworks display as thousands of lightning bugs (fireflies) lit up the fields along the roadside. I crossed from Illinois into Indiana at 8:36pm with 115 range remaining and saw the welcome sign which identified Indiana as “The Crossroads of America”.  While cruising through Indiana, I cannot help imagining  David Letterman driving along to go visit his Mother here (as I am journeying East to see my Mom).   I later passed by the South Bend area (in total darkness, so no scenery to report) and made it to the University Park Mall at 10:26pm. The odometer was 17,990 the temp was 74 degrees, and I had 81 range remaining. I was done charging at 11:25pm with 200 miles of range and I drove to the very nearby mile marker 90 rest stop.  The odometer was 18,001 (I just passed the 3,000 mile mark of this journey!).  I left at 6:30am with the temperature at 73 degrees and 189 range remaining in the car.  Next stop in OHIO, the land of my birth!    Frugal Tesla

Here is the super brief summary of the last 24 hours with details to be filled in later:

For the late evening of Monday, July 7th, I charged the car in Mishawaka, IN. Next I drove to mile marker 90 and rested there.

On Tuesday morning I charged in Maumee, OH. Then I drove to childhood homes near Lake Erie to take photos.

Next charge was in Macedonia, OH. Then on to Cranberry, PA for a quick top up to get me to Somerset, PA.

After charging fully in Somerset, PA I will drive toward Altoona, PA for an overnight visit with relatives. I will try to get back on the road to Maryland on Wednesday pm. Frugal Tesla

(NOTE: This post is for the trip from Madison, WI to Aurora, IL that took place on Monday between 1pm and 6:30pm. With little time to blog, and getting tired later in the day, I may wait to post the afternoon and evening adventures during the next morning charging stops. This is being typed up while charging in Maumee, OH. More on that later… FT)

After driving for almost an hour from Madison, WI, I entered Illinois at 1:52pm. The sign said, “Land of Lincoln”. Here in Beloit I encounterd my first toll on the trip! I paid the $1.90 fee and in my true frugal way, I exited onto another road without tolls which was going South toward my Aurora target. The road was 39/51 South. With slower speed limits at 55mph, I knew that I would also have plenty of range for the side adventure. I connected onto 30 East and saw a cool water slide park with people in giant rafts being propelled uphill by gushing water along a HUGE rollercoaster-like flume ride! Next, I saw more windmill type electricity generators amidst the ubiquitous corn fields.

I enjoyed this meandering drive along 30 East. The speed limit would slow as I approached the towns along the way, but that gave me the chance to look around some more. In Waterman, IL, there was a huge turf plant. Need I say that this town had the nicest grass I have seen for its soccer fields and lawns! Continuing on, at least two trains went by with more of those black, cylindrical oil tanker cars than I have ever seen… I estimate about 50 per train! I am glad to see the many American flags that line the streets of these patriotic towns.

I arrived in Aurora at 4pm and had a difficult time finding the Supercharger. This is because it is located in the parking lot that is hidden behind the Comfort Suites hotel. Also, it is adjacent to a bus area which I managed to enter by mistake twice! So, non-locals beware… I also ended up in the train station parking lot trying to find the charger. In retrospect, the easiest way to find this is to enter on the left  off of Spring Street and go behind the Comfort Suites where you will see the huge 2 Brothers Brewing Company building and chargers on the front left side of the entrance.

I fully charged for about an hour, done by 5:10pm. During the charging I posted the Madison blog entry and did some email. At the end of the charge time I met an Aurora local named Brian and had a very long conversation with him. Next I reviewed Mapquest to find a toll free route to Mishawaka, Indiana… my next stop for the day. My odometer was at 17,848 and range full at 206. I departed at 6:30pm to find the University Park Mall in Mishawaka, IN.  Three states in a day… Frugal Tesla

On Sunday night I left Albert Lea, MN to get to La Crosse, WI. The sunset sky was spectacular and HUGE cotton candy clouds took up the entire Southern sky. I would have snapped a photo but that is when my camera batteries decided to quit. I had some concern about the weather since there were reports of upcoming thunderstorms so I hurried along. Due South of me in Iowa, there were tornado sightings and ongoing warnings in effect! I crossed the Mississippi River through lots of construction and in darkness so I will have to see this on the return trip. I entered Wisconsin at 10:35pm.

I pulled in to charge at 10:45pm in Onalaska, WI in La Crosse County. There was one Tesla being charged, but since it was so late I did not talk to the occupant. I had 89 range remaining, odometer at 17,572 and temp was 73 degrees. I charged up to 185 range and left at 11:15pm to find a rest stop.  The rest area was near mile marker 20 so I was there by 11:30pm. That was a long day since I had been up since 4:30am!

Although I woke up briefly at 5:30am, I went back to sleep until  7:30am… much better! I took my morning vitamins, ate breakfast, cleaned up in the restroom, flossed my teeth, reviewed my route, and cleaned the windshield and front of the car. Especially after driving at night, there were lots of dead bugs on the car. I soon had a flashback of summers in the East since many annoying gnats were flying around me. I left the rest stop at 9:11am with the odometer at 17,587 with 163 range, and temp at 71 degrees.

The drive to Madison, WI reinforced my East coast memories as the highway is lined with much greenery, some pine trees, but mostly deciduous trees. The speed limit in MN was mostly 70mph but here in WI it is 65mph. The ad on the radio in WI was pushing for bicycle helmet safety for a campaign about zero deaths on Wisconsin roads. It seemed ironic that none of the MOTORcycle riders wear helmets here. I listened to ESPN and crossed the beautiful Wisconsin River.

I arrived at the East Towne Mall in Madison, WI where there were many huge cylindrical pylons scattered in front of the superchargers. It took me some extra effort to negotiate my way around them and get into place for charging. It was 11am with odometer at 17,704 and range of 62 remaining. temp was 82 degrees. I did some banking, used the restroom, and returned to the car. Then, the first green Tesla that I have seen pulled in to charge. Jason had purchased the car only 3 days ago! He was there with his friend Asher and they are Madison locals. This green Tesla is an 85kw+ (it has some additional power to it) and Jason named the car “Godzilla”!! We talked about the cars and they gave me some tips about upcoming toll roads in Illinois. I left Madison at 1pm with 203 range to head to Aurora, IL.  Here, the superchargers are so close together that I must skip some and choose my route. Onward! FT

From Mitchell, SD (the home of the corn palace… no, I did not stop there!) I headed through the prairie lands. Even the billboards tell that Laura Ingalls Wilder was from DeSmet, SD. I loved seeing the white propeller shaped windmills mixed into the farming landscapes. This wind generated power should make every Tesla owner smile.

I entered Minnesota at 2:32pm with the sign saying “Minnesota Welcomes You!”. Yet, this welcome is tainted by the frustration caused by the first 35 miles of poor quality concrete roadway. It was very bumpy but settled into smooth roadway when the reddish colored road began. The song “Mother and Child Reunion” came over the airways as a pleasant reminder of the purpose of my trip. See you soon, Mom!!

I arrived in Worthington, MN at 3:15pm with 72 range and odometer at 17,330 and 89 degrees. I published two posts while charging and prepared the next few legs of the journey. After talking briefly with Bill, a local man who is very knowledgeable about wind surfing and wind generated electricity, I headed out at 5pm for Albert Lea, MN with 206 range.

The drive went quickly with the 70mph speed limit in MN. Some construction slowed traffic to 60mph, but only for small stretches. I arrived in Albert Lea, MN at 7 pm with 2 other Teslas charging. I plugged into the 3rd of the 4 chargers and soon met with a very nice couple from Owings, MD who are traveling to Redondo, CA and then going to the big Tesla gathering called: TMC Connect. This couple actively tweets using @MAXXINBLUE. I do not know what that means, but they said that many of you would understand it. So, there it is.

Just before departing I met Guy from Michigan who was also going to CA to attend the TMC Connect. Funny coincidence to meet two Teslas going there at the Supercharger in Albert Lea, MN! So now, at 8:30pm I will go to La Crosse, WI. odometer at 17,446 with 206 range and 85 degrees. Goodbye Minnesota! Frugal Tesla

From Murdo I went 10 miles to Draper to go to 8:30am Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Draper has mostly dirt or rocky roads rather than paving. So I took my time and enjoyed a nice service led by Father Gary Oroshoski. Afterwards I was invited for “coffee and rolls”. Since I am not a coffee drinker, I did have a slice of cinnamon doughnut and spoke with some of the parishioners there. My favorite was the baby boy who had an infectious belly laugh that had everyone smiling. After demonstrating aspects of the car and answering questions, I left Draper via N-13 back to 90E at 9:40am with odometer at 17,070 and range of 160 with temp at 76 degrees.

Heading East, I crossed the Missouri River, which is wide indeed. Passing by many cornfields, I fell in behind a truck and went 66mph in the 75mph zone to extend my range. I arrived in Mitchell, SD at 11:45am with 25 range left. At first I could not find the Tesla supercharger, but finally found it across from the Goodwill dropoff area. I plugged in and wrote up the blog post that I could not write in Murdo.

It appears from eyeballing the USA map that this is about half way across the country! odometer is 17,203. With range at 206 and one blog post published, I set off for Minnesota at 1:15pm. FT

I awoke at the 100 mile marker rest stop at 4:27am and left by 4:37am for Murdo. the odometer was at 16,965 with 172 range remaining with temp at 74 degrees. The early morning departure was a great idea as there was a lot of construction along the way which would probably cause a serious backup as more cars began traveling. Seeing the South Dakota landscape brings me a whole new appreciation of the song Home on the Range! I loved watching the sun rise up as I skirted past the Badlands. I also listened to a program about cued speech to assist young deaf children in education advancement and reading with phonics.

There was a VERY horrible accident in Okaton just before my exit, so I exited early and used the big map to help me make my way to Murdo. The thing is, my Tesla does NOT have the tech package. So, although I do have a map on my screen, there are NO turn-by-turn directions or any navigation suggestions. I am mapping my own course across this great nation!

I arrived in Murdo at 7:08am (now in central time zone) with 70 range left, odometer 17,060 (passed the 2,000 mile mark!) and temp of 70 degrees. The WiFi signal was too weak to post a blog. So, I went to the restroom, cleaned up for going to church, and chatted briefly with two patrons of the Range Country Lodging about the Tesla owner experience. One of these men, Bob, has already commented in this blog. Welcome to the blog! I stopped charging at 168 range and left for Mass in nearby Draper, SD at 7:42am.

Leaving Lusk, WY at 6:11pm (after another guy from Florida stopped me to ask questions and take a photo) I rushed to get to Custer, SD to see something that Randy had recommended. Along the way I listened to “The Home Theater Geek” as he tried to solve the entertainment system problems of his listeners. Later the discussion was about the latest installment of The Planet of the Apes movies. He was broadcasting from Petaluma, CA and here I was hearing it in Wyoming!

I entered South Dakota at 7:10pm with 162 range remaining and temp at 92 degrees. The welcome sign said, “Great Faces, Great Places”. As I drove through Edgemont, SD I saw the longest fully loaded coal train as the highway went high over the train tracks. The terrain sloped uphill then down again repeatedly. Approaching Custer, there were signs of logging and then I passed a big sawmill. Custer was bigger than any place I had passed in a while but I forged on to several miles North where I stopped to take photos of the Crazy Horse Memorial. This 3D mountain carving was begun in 1948 and work on it continues today. This is one of Randy’s favorite stops. Thanks Randy!

I left Crazy Horse Mountain at 8:20pm and hurried since the sun was going down fast. By 8:45pm I had reached Mount Rushmore. When I first pulled over to see if there was a view, I exclaimed out loud, “Hey! It’s George’s face!”.  This was very amusing to the other tourists who were stopped there too. After a few quick photos, I moved on and snapped more down the road. That was it for the presidents, and I headed to Rushmore Mall in Rapid City, SD to supercharge.

I arrived at 9:30pm with 80 miles of range left, odometer 16,924 and temp of 82 degrees. At 10:10pm a gray Tesla pulled up with Dan and Shannon from the Twin Cities. They were heading West to see the Tesla Fremont factory. But, they said how disappointed they were to learn that there would be no factory tours in July. However, they were ready to have a fun visit to California.

I left at 10:30pm with 204 range. The drive from there was too dark to see anything except for some impressive fireworks displays ongoing until about 11pm. At 11:11pm I crossed the Cheyenne River, neared the 100 mile marker on Interstate 90, and entered a rest area to get some sleep. I set my alarm to prepare for my Sunday journey.

I left Cheyenne at 2pm with 200 range. I drove at the speed limit the whole way… up 25N at 80mph, and at exit 126 on hwy 18/20 E at 65 mph.  I arrived in Lusk with about 25 miles of range remaining! I knew there would be enough left when I took the exit 126 at Orin Junction with 70 range remaining and only 41 miles to Lusk. At that exit, the temp was 99 degrees and I crossed the North Platte River.

In both Colorado and Wyoming I have seen such interesting cloud formations in the most blue skies. Green grassy hills and plains abound spotted with black or brown cattle. Ironically, as I see all the cattle, a beef commercial comes over the airwaves. I am listening to the Rockies vs Dodgers baseball game with Rockies down 2 nothing. Former A’s pitcher Dan Harren is pitching for the Dodgers. When the reception died out, the Rockies had tied the game. I switched stations and enjoyed the Dr. Daddio talk show as they discussed the STEM program promoting science, technology, engineering, and math for young kids.  When sports radio reception returned, the Rockies were leading 7-2.  Rain briefly came down which helped wash off the dust from the car. Without tall buildings, the horizon opens up and seems like it goes on forever.

In Lusk, I meet Mark and Terry (a beautiful Chinese woman) who had met each other in San Francisco. They were charging a scarlet red Tesla and it was 60kw!! Mark alerted me that from Lusk to Cheyenne the return route should be different than the one I took North since going Southbound will result in running out of range (This actually had happened to them!). Thanks for the heads up.

I met Randy at the front desk of The Covered Wagon Motel who pointed out restroom locations, gave some map pointers, and offered some lemonade and cookies. While enjoying the snack I spoke with Dave from Chicago who was part of a group of 42 people cycling from Oregon to New Hampshire with America By Bicycle. No wonder there was no vacancy at this motel! Lusk is the lowest population county in the least populated state!  Several of the motel patrons took photos since they were surprised to see two Teslas charging here.

With my odometer at 16,769 and range of 206 I depart for Rapid City, SD at 6pm heading North on hwy 85 with temp of 94 degrees.  Another state later I will post again, Frugal Tesla