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