Travelogue
Yesterday, Henry, Adelaide and I finally put off the inevitable and made the 400-mile road trip from Iowa City to St. Cloud. Yes, we braved the unforgiving highways and freeways to seek out the comfort and relaxation that only Marmee and D’s house affords and left Joel to his own devices and plans in Iowa City. So we awoke at the usual hour, fed Henry, and were off on our adventure at 7:40 a.m.
If you’ve ever driven alone with a little person, you know the stress and anxiety that can come with not being able touch, feed, comfort, or help that little person while you’re driving. I remember an innocent Target trip that turned into a screaming, crying nightmare on the road between Vermillion and Sioux Falls when Adelaide was six months old. I think that I bawled all the way home. Typically, our travels find me at the helm of our Taurus and Joel straining his back by twisting and turning around to pass Adelaide a drink of water or to read her a story. So to say that I was intimidated to make this necessary trip with two little people without Joel was an understatement.
Still, we strive to meet new and frightening challenges, so off we went! As I said to my dad when I called him to let him know that we were on the road, “Every mile is one mile closer.” By 8:20 a.m., we’d left Cedar Rapids in the dust and had stopped at a small, very rural, very unpretentious gas station in Urbana for a potty break. When your travel companion is a 3 year-old statements like, “I have to go potty,” get a rapid response no matter what the locale or local color. Lugging Henry into the ramshackle gas station in his car seat and holding Adelaide tightly by her hand, a gentlemanly farmer, sporting his manure-stained work duds and a toothless grin, held the door for us and we managed the break without incident and we’re back on the road within minutes.
We navigated the confusing interchanges at Waterloo, and were soon smoothly sailing up Highway 218. This particular stretch of road, between Waverly and Mason City, is a favorite along our trip with its rolling hills, bucolic visitas, and minimal traffic. We paused briefly at Charles City to nurse, use the restroom at a medical clinic (we tried and failed to find a city park!), and comment on all of the ‘spinning wheels’ (as Adelaide prefers to call windmills).
And then, finally at 11:45 a.m., there is was: The Welcome to Minnesota sign!
To reward our fortitude, we pulled into the first Minnesota rest stop and visitor station for a break. The sky was blue, the breeze warm, and the playground was all ours! We picnicked on cheese and crackers, carrots and cucumbers, and strawberries and cookies for about 45 minutes. Adelaide happily danced between our picnic table and the playground. It was an inspired break, giving all of us respite from the hot car and then, the courage to push on.
We arrived in the Cities at about 1:30 p.m., and made our way through treacherous construction and hazardous drivers. Adelaide opted to skip her usual nap and instead asked every few minutes or so, “Are we there yet?” or “Where’s Marmee and D’s house?” On 494 just near the Minnesota Vikings HQ, Henry had a strange screaming fit that I can only attribute to the recent Favre negotiations (I digress: It’s a confusing time for all of us, isn’t it?). He self soothed by the Wayzata exit and we shot out of the Cities afternoon congestion and onto the final stretch.
The 45-mile push from Maple Grove to St. Cloud is a blur. All I remember is calling my mom at work as we neared St. Cloud and she cheerfully chirped, “Stop by my office!” With her office poised just off 94, I didn’t need to be asked twice. We sped toward Marmee’s office with such great purpose that I missed the turn into her parking lot. I said, “Oops, Adelaide! I’ve missed the turn!” Adelaide promptly replied with great disdain, “Are we lost?”
Thankfully, we weren’t lost, and our long journey had at last come to a close at 2:50 p.m. For a few days anyway ...