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