DAY #15 – SUNDAY – JULY 16, 2023
MT. VERNON, IL - HOME
602 – MILES / 5,064 – TOTAL MILES
Because our group was scattered across three hotels, and
John would have to load luggage at each stop, those of us had to bring out own
luggage down when we boarded the bus. Also,
with this being the last day the luggage had to be loaded in a specific order
so that it could be unloaded quickly when we started dropping folks off.
With us being scattered those of us at the Holiday Inn were
the first to board the bus at 7 a.m. Then at 7:15 we picked up the Fairfield
Inn group. Finally, at 7:30 we arrived at the Drury Inn to pick up the last
group. Most were ready but as usual the same four were late.
Hoping to be on the road by 7:30, we pulled out onto
Interstate 64 and headed east at 7:40 a.m. A few miles into the long mileage
day we hit a traffic jam. For this entire trip this was the only traffic issue that
we had.
I looked at the Traffic layer on Google Maps and it showed a
backup of about 4-miles. I looked at the News Apps and found out that the
reason for the back up was caused by a traffic crash and all east bound traffic
was stopped so that a medical helicopter could land.
Finally, a little over an hour later, traffic began to move,
and we made our way past the scene. The vehicle was destroyed, partly because
of the crash, and partly because of what the rescue workers had to do to get
the victim out of the car.
Once we were past the scene it was smooth sailing to
Haubstadt, Indiana where we stopped at the Loves for our morning break. I
grabbed a large cup of coffee and a snack. A little over 30 minutes later we were
back on the road. An hour or so later we crossed the Ohio River and left Indiana
and entered the Bluegrass State of Kentucky.
Being Sunday, traffic was light, and we zipped right through
downtown Louisville and made our way toward Frankfort where we made our Lunch
stop. We stopped at exit 53 on Interstate 64 and stopped at a shopping complex
that had several fast-food restaurants nearby.
Once again, we scatter and did not crash one single restaurant.
The majority of the back of the bus bunch chose to eat at the Steak’n’Shake. Others
went to Taco Bell & Fazoli’s. As
usual it took us a full hour to complete our lunch stop.
It’s 2:30 p.m. when we leave Frankfort and continue our
journey east on Interstate 64. A couple of hours later we crossed the Big Sandy
River and moved into West Virginia. Shortly
after crossing into West Virginia, we stopped at the West Virginia Welcome
Center for out afternoon break.
The break at the rest area took lest time than usual because
there was no shopping. So, as quickly as everyone used the facilities we were
back on the road. We quickly made our way through Charleston, passing the West
Virginia State Capitol.
At Charleston, Interstates 77/64 are one interstate known as
the West Virginia Turnpike. We headed south on the Turnpike and a little over
an hour later we pulled off at the Bob Evans Restaurant in Beckley. He those
that want to have supper can do so.
Beckley is where we begin to say goodbye to some of our
traveling companions. Where many of our group are having supper at Bob Evans John
take those that are leaving us to their nearby drop-off lot. We lose three
couples here and while John is unloading their luggage, we exchange contact
information and promise to keep in touch.
Bob Evans was ill prepared to handle the number of people
who hit their dining room all at once. As a result, it was well over an hour
before we were back on our way. The next stop was at the Old K-Mart lot in
Bluefield where we lost a few more of our group left us.
From Bluefield it was on to Wytheville where a few more of
our group left us.
Next stop was at the Sunshine Office in Dublin where My new
friends Dan and Sallie left us. We exchanged contact information and said our
goodbyes. Dan and Sallie, we are just two of several new friends that I have
mad on this trip.
Finally, it was a short 30-minute drive from Dublin to the
Park and Ride at Exit 118. It was here 15 days ago that I embarked on this magnificent
adventure, and it is here that this adventure ends. As we pulled into the park
and ride, I say my goodbyes to Miss Mary Ann and Miss Jenny and what was left
of the Back of the Bus Bunch.
This adventure was full of wonderful sights that I will always
remember. But what I will also remember are the wonder new friends the I have
made on this wonderful Journey.
So, after 15-day and 5,064 mile, and a bunch a new friends
again my 2023 Great Canyonlands Adventure has come to an end.
Now it is time to kick back, rest up and start planning my
next great adventure.
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