Renting a car didn’t make sense for many reasons, not the least is that I love driving my Camry Hybrid. There is a great feeling that comes from driving in comfort while still getting 38 MPG and producing almost zero emissions. After some deliberation I decided to drive to Chicago, then down Route 66 to Santa Monica, and then return home to D.C. via the Interstate systems along the south.

On the way to Chicago I chose to detour to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I wandered the halls for hours as I learned about my music heros and listened to their works. Impressive! So too was the weather. Never having lived in the far north I was really surprised to see ships locked in ice on a vast lake. By early evening I wrapped it up and hit the road again heading for my hotel.

I had planned to get to Chicago early on the second day but as I reviewed my plans that night I noticed that Marion, IN was just a “minor” detour and given my family’s history with the town I decided it would probably be a worthwhile visit. I wrote my father about what to do and he responded with a long laundry list. I was going to be busy!

Getting to know Marion took so long so long that I decided to spend the night. Again, not having ever lived in the cold north I didn’t know what to expect. It was early February but in places I knew that only meant it was cold, not extremely icy cold! Wow, did I get a taste of it! Driving to Chicago in the morning my car registered an air temp of -2 degrees!!!

I was glad to know Route 66 starts out by heading south!

My Email Correspondence:

From: Travis

Date: February 8, 2007 11:46:18 PM EST

To: Kelsey , Courtney

Cc: Beth

Subject: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

This is the most famous Rock & Roll museum.

However, what I saw in Memphis were also fantastic. Dad

From: Travis

Date: February 8, 2007 11:43:39 PM EST

To: Kelsey , Courtney

Cc: Beth

Subject: Frozen Lake Erie

Our lake is frozen but it's tiny.

Oceans never freeze in much of the world.

This large, large body of water is frozen solid.

It was amazing to see huge ships frozen solid in Lake Erie. Dad

From: Travis

Date: February 10, 2007 6:41:17 AM EST

To: Kelsey , Courtney, Beth

Subject: Visiting Marion

http://web.mac.com/travisgood/iWeb/Marion/9 February 2007.html

My father and his family spent many years in this town.

Few from the family have been here in a long time.

I made this web site for my Dad and siblings to see.

Love you all! Travis/Dad

From: Travis

Date: February 10, 2007 9:24:59 AM EST

To: Kelsey , Courtney

Cc: Beth

Subject: Brrrrr ....

    This was the still air temperature as I approached Chicago. Dad