First Congo On The Road

First day of travel is supposed to be uneventful, so I hadn’t intended to blog about it…

Driver 2 takes over in Janesville.  Somewhere around Rockford:

Driver: “I think I was supposed to turn there.”

Navigator (startled from nap): “Huh?”

Phone rings: Car number 2: “We made the turn.” “OK, keep going, we’ll call you when we get back on I39.”

Navigator (getting bearings, studying map): “Exit here, we should be able to get back on”

There are many cars doing same thing.  Darn construction!

OK additional $1.60 toll later (darn Illinois Tollway) we are headed back.

Navigator: “Oops, I think that was our exit to go south on I39.” Studying map some more.  “Exit here, we can take a city street south and get back on 39.”

More construction, more turning around, now back on I39 south.

Navigator (Call to Car 2): “We are at mile marker 121.”

Car 2 Navigator: “OK, We are about 30 miles ahead of you.  We’ll drive a little slower and watch for you.”

Navigator (roused from nap #2): “Why are there stop lights in the interstate?”

Back seat passenger: “Because we are west bound on Illinois 20!”

Driver: “Woops (or something like that).”

More turning around.  Again not alone in this.

Later…Call from Car 2: “We are stopping in Bloomington.  Where are you?”

Navigator, Car 1: “About 35 miles north of you.  Do you want to wait?” “Yes” “Thank you”

Reunited at last!

The rest of the trip is uneventful and we make good enough time to have dinner at BB King’s Blues Club on Beale Street in Memphis.  The early house band is amazing.  I said the lead guitarist looked like he was 14, but man could he play!  The Will Tucker Band.   Turns out Will Tucker is 15!  Played some Elvis, Johnny B. Good (wow he’s fast too!), Might Be Your Man.  CD release party November 7^th.  Hmmm, we will be passing though here then.  www.willtuckermusic.com

We arrive at the hotel at 10:30 thankful for the extra hour we get with the return to standard time.