mobilene

ohhhhhhhh, the patty melt!!!! There are several things in this world that are proof positive to me that God exists and loves us very much, and patty melts are, for me, one of those things. Too stinking bad I work and live soooooo far away from Plainfield or I'd go get one for dinner tonight! jim

It doesn't seem like 13 days have gone by from here, but I'm sure it does to you as you work out all the kinks of spending that much time in a driver's seat! Congratulations on completing the Hypotenuse! Pythagoras would be proud. jim

There's an awful lot of working and paying and living and dying going on in places like Paulina! And they do it without a bit of attention and fanfare, except when someone happens through, blazing a trail. jim

I already have my Ohio NR guide -- ordered it last year, and it sets the standard for road tourism guides. I've bookmarked the other resources and will use them when the time comes. I really want to do the WV-to-Columbus section of the NR/US 40. I drove along 40 for many miles through there once about 20 years ago not knowing then about the NR and how alignments lurked all around me. I did find, quite by accident, that place where old 4-lane 40 is buried under I-70, however.

Denny, I have SO got to make some plans to visit Ohio for its National Road and Lincoln Highway richness! I didn't know about that "pre-1928" alignment. I love that shot of the road ending at the cornfield. jim

Ansel, er, Dave: Great mountain shots. Holy cow. That gas pump is a real find. I'm no expert but it sure looks to me like the pump has known no other home. jim

I've seen snow fall in June during my lifetime, but I've never seen that much snow in late April before. Wow. To me, chocolate malts are proof positive that God exists and he loves us. And the best chocolate malts generally come from the old fountains like this -- because if the soda jerk knows or likes you, they put in extra malt! jim

I say you just call those Interstate miles "extreme improvements to the Lincoln" and be done with it.

In northern Indiana we used to have Azar's Big Boy restaurants. Must have used extra-skinny letters to fit them on the sign. I remember Tastee Freezes (or was that Freezs)? In northern IN/southern MI, where I saw them, they were kind of a poor man's Dairy Queen. Hardee's is quite alive and well here in central Indiana. I am sure many Hoosiers still haven't forgiven them for taking over all our Burger Chef locations 20+ years ago.

What a nicely done site. I enjoyed flipping through the AZ gallery and look forward to more when you have it. jim

My question is: When sun shines on the Hypotenuse, does the light slide off? I love that steel bridge! But I'm sorry that you ended up having to follow the superslab, if even for 13 miles. Was the Lincoln Highway buried under any of those miles, at least? That rut-cut in the rock is something else. jim

In the past week or so, I keep having to re-login to this site, both at work and at home. The site doesn't seem to be remembering me. I have cleared my cookies a couple times at work, but not at all at home, so I'm not sure why this would keep happening. Anyone else experiencing this?

Dave, You are one lucky dude for avoiding a speeding fine! I never seem to have that luck. I live to find things like that LH bridge with no road on either side of it. Around where I live, they tend to demolish such bridges because of the safety hazards -- probably from roadfans like me who would try to drive over them, or climb down the side for a closer look, or whatever! jim

Sounds like you had a moderately frustrating day. I love the brick street in Cottonwood Falls. Isn't it strange that the Marysville service station is attached to another building? jim

Why in the hell am I sitting here testing software when I could be out on the road??? (Well, one could argue that I'm not actually testing software at this precise moment. But you get the idea.) These are some great photos, and outstanding stories. I can't wait until tonight's installment! jim

I thought a legacy computer guy like you would have written the date 080421, but no matter, good to hear from you! Too bad you were having Vista issues, but everybody I know who runs Vista has issues. With Vista, that is. Looking forward to hearing from you when you're nearer wireless civilization. jim

Dave, I'm living vicariously this week through your road reports! I especially appreaciate how you're finding, apparently without much trouble, plenty of good things to write about, such as the couple who've taken it upon themselves to restore their whole town. Your photos of Georgetown need only be printed with a linen finish to look like period postcards. Well, except for the obvious decay. But you get my meaning. I may have to go explore Mississippi someday. BTW, I looked up the US 80 bridge on Google Maps and see that a building appears to have been built across the approach. I imagine that was quite a surprise when you got there! Looking forward to future reports! jim

I'd been up for three minutes when the walls started to shake. It sounded to me like a strong wind gust had blasted through, but I opened up the window in my bedroom and found it to be calm. AFAIK, no damage here. Haven't been outside yet, but I feel comfortable that all will be well.

Hooray! The first report from the Trail Blazer! Sorry your car turned out to be a financial time bomb, but at least this means you'll keep to your schedule! Seeing the HT sign on that pole cracked me up. The 1920s bridge is great! I'm sorry you got Montezuma's Revenge but glad it didn't last too long. Looking forward to your next report. jim

Fortunately (I guess) my '03 Matrix is the base model, without a single option -- meaning I've got old-fasioned roll-up windows. Pat, you guys have a Matrix?

Chuck, welcome, and thanks for all the great information about this route! jim

Looks like my kind of joint!

I sit in awe of your incredible insight! I imagine that after the trailblazing trip, the Hypotenuse Trail Ass'n's coffers will not have sufficient funds for too many markers and signs. And I feel certain that the trail guide publishers will just send people down I-80 for those few miles no matter what Dave does. Those guys always like the road with the best surface, no matter what. Dave, you really need to apologize to Woody Guthrie! Peace, jim

Boy, this is one thorny patch of ground. Major bummer that the route I suggested isn't open to the public. I once worked with somebody who used to live in Wyoming, and he used to say that there's no easy or fast way to get anywhere in Wyoming. He also said that it was common to buy 3-4-year-old used cars with 200,000 miles on the odometer because of that. Good luck figuring this one out -- and I'll be interested to know what route you decide on. jim

Wow! What a great trip that would be! Thanks for sharing it.