87 miles to the start of the suggested route across. Many hotels there in Ottawa.

Forgot to load the basemap. Switching to Google Maps.

Another hour. As mentioned on Facebook lots of traffic South of Chicago. Bailing to lesser roads as soon as I can.

Relative to the American baseline, the many people coming to this gas station with local plates are shockingly fit. Almost European.

A woman just walked up asking a man within earshot about all the traffic taking the exit. Turns out there is a big backup just down the road.

Least painful hour so far I kept the speed to 65 and tried to stretch. Virtually pain free until the last 10 minutes. Drinking 20oz at each stop.

Gorgeous day but nothing but slab today. Slow and far is the mode of the day.

Navigating at highway speed with the app is proving a bit treacherous. It takes more attention that Google maps to note the next turn.

Phone died.

Gas station attendant here is the second person to ask me if I was vlogging.

First stop after just under an hour. So far so good.

Such a good time talking to Jay and his wife, Haley(sp?). Comparative literature, history, W.O.W., travel, architecture, science, and a host of other topics. Wonderful time. I did not want to leave.

228 miles 5:09 avg 44 moving average 57

Some really pretty tree tunnel roads there towards the end.

Flat long roads. Lots and lots of Harleys. No one wears any kind of gear.

It is approaching proper hot today. Lot's of farms with expansive fields as far as the eye can see interrupted by little towns. Things seem very trucker centric here.