Yes, in all 39 years we have been looking at, talking about and 'dreaming' about the Midwest and West.
BUT with our total 67 trips to The Netherlands, also having done international consulting work through 2004, and being the tour guide and designated driver for house guests—it never got realized.
Due to our declining health, it was NOW or NEVER!
Pieter's heart condition since his open–heart surgery on September 3, 2010 and my chronic kidney disease in stage IV.
Off we both went, on Saturday, July 16 around 8:00; heading for our 1st destination for the night:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marion, IL←click link.
This was at 8:08 in our driveway and the mileage was at 13,633 or 21,940 km.
At 11:49 we had Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia behind us, and were now in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Interstate-24 W.
Pit stop along Interstate-24 in Tennessee, almost halfway for the day...
The Luther Draffen Bridges carry Interstate 24 over the Tennessee River in western Kentucky
This was around 14:50.
Keep in mind, that my photos, made with one hand while driving, are NOT the best.
Pieter cannot handle it at the speed of Interstate driving, due to his eye sight problems.
Those Bridges are SO IMPRESSIVE to cross...!
Around 15:13, I was crossing yet another marvel; the Paducah Bridge on the Interstate 24 over the Ohio River between Paducah, Kentucky and Metropolis, Illinois.
Yes, large rivers often are the state border!
Actually two subsequent arches!
This is excellent, as seen from up high in a truck; Crossing the Ohio River on I-24 into Illinois ←click for short video
Around 15:59 Pieter was gassing up, for next day at gas station right across from our hotel.
License plate RUN8632 but the maximum speed that Relive shows is NOT accurate!
Right across from our destination for that day, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Marion, Illinois.
We had a relaxed night in room 303
Timely arrival after 8 hours and 37 minutes driving and covering 910.8 km or 566 miles.
We went from Georgia, through Tennessee, Kentucky and into Illinois
Enjoy this short 2 minute Relive video below:
Stay tuned for our next day...
che ponti giganteschi!
ReplyDeleteCara Olgi,
DeleteI grandi ponti sono fantastici da attraversare!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Mi scusi, Olga!
DeleteWhat a long journey, Mariette. You two are so brave. Enjoy your holiday and keep posting your photos; we are travelling with you from our chairs here at home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both always.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThis was just the beginning of a long journey!
So glad I managed to take my Pieter and also arrive safely back home together.
You will be able to travel from your chairs—ENJOY!
Hugs,
Mariette
Sabia decisión. Después de tanto tiempo pensando, ya era hora de ponerlo en práctica.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteSí, y lo disfrutamos, aunque fuera conduciendo solo, sin poder tomar fotos decentes bastante pesadas.
Abrazos,
Mariette
The Relive app is so cool, Mariette. And you made such good time that first day. I'm so looking forward to the next leg of your trip.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteYes, it is a cool app and for not being able to capture much while driving, as Pieter no longer can do this, it is wonderful in the end!
Those were some intensive driving days, for getting to our destination but still, we enjoyed the journey!
Hugs,
Mariette
I love that you both did this "now or never," Mariette. It's a great lesson to us all not to wait until it's too late. I also love the rolling mountains; I miss that here.
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteYes, being realistic is so important in life! For Pieter's age, waiting one more year is different and even for me, each year is affecting my kidneys further.
So glad we DID it and it was a surprising and most amazing trip. So much we did not know, neither expect to see!
AND we learned the hard way that our country is so VAST!!!
Yes, the rolling hills or mountains start already north of Atlanta and we were more and more getting into it. It makes the scenery more interesting.
Hugs,
Mariette
I'm not sure my comment went through! In any case, just delete this one if it does make it through, Mariette.
ReplyDeleteIt worked out; even though some are in the spam and others are in–between but NOT published. Strange Blogger behavior Kim!
DeleteHow fun. I enjoy car trips.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debby,
DeleteWell, my first three days were not the most fun but still very interesting for rolling to some surprising scenery and over marvelous bridges!
Hugs,
Mariette
My son and I made the cross country drive from Orlando to Bend Oregon way back in 2005. I will never forget the adventure, the scenery, the people we encountered, the relief when we pulled into Bend, our new home! Enjoy the ride.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteWOW, that indeed was quite a trek!
We did enjoy it and did drink in the scenery and met so many nice people.
Fond memories forever and happy for having arrived home on Tuesday the 26th of July, after 11 days.
Now trying to share it with my readers and for us a kind of an extensive diary to relive whenever we want to.
Hugs,
Mariette
Querida Mariette, também viajo daqui com vocês, esse aplicativo que você usou é maravilhoso, deu para ver o quanto andaram, todo o trajeto que fizeram. Infelizmente eu não poderia fazer, enjoo muito de carro, aguento viagens curtas. Seguirei bastante curiosa. Espero a próxima! rsss
ReplyDeleteGrande abraço daqui do sul do Brasil!
Querida Taís,
DeleteAinda bem que você gosta de viajar junto e pena que você fica doente de carro. Nós dois não somos tão bons com outros pilotos...
Foi uma longa viagem, mas também bastante interessante!
Abraços,
Mariette
You two are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and keep posting your photos and stories which are such a joy to read.
Hugs and blessings, my dearest friend.
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteThank you so much!
We sure did enjoy this trip together and are so glad that we DID go and explore our vast country.
Hugs,
Mariette
Traveling is also a form of consciousness expansion. I really liked the pictures. :) A hug, Raquel
ReplyDeleteDearest Raquel,
DeleteIt sure is and it does make us more complete as a person.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! Lovely to follow your travels.
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteThank you and glad you enjoy traveling west with us!
Hugs,
Mariette
A huge trip. I imagine the pains in the back when they arrived. I would be filled with pain.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteYes, the distances within the USA are just enormous.
From just riding in our car, we never feel any discomfort in our back.
The driver seat can even be raised and pumped up for support in lower back; ideal!
Hugs,
Mariette