Sunday, July 09, 2006
July 5 - So long, Chicago
July 5, 2006
YesterdayÂs word:
torpid \TOR-pid\,
adjective: 1. Having lost motion or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed.2. Dormant; hibernating or estivating.3. Dull; sluggish; apathetic.
We had to bid farewell to Chicago today. Strangely enough, on our way out of town we passed the leaning Tower of Pisa. I can't explain it, I can only report it. So where were we heading? We 
were off to St Louis to see what the Gateway to the West has to offer and also to visit my quondam (remember that word?) co-worker, Andy while we are in town. Rumour has it that Andy has a piano so, with any luck, A-P will be able to get another jamming session in. We got off to a late start again today, solely due to me needing extra time to update my blog, which I wanted to do while I still had access to Jim's network. We drained the rest of the beautiful sunny day driving down I-55 until it was the gloaming as we arrived out our campground. One nice thing is that the JoRo MoHo has been quietly performing all the duties asked of it without any complaints so far. Let's hope the first 2300 kms are a harbinger of what we can expect for the rest of the trip.
As you may have guessed, I am keeping track of our expenditures along the way. I am very curious to see if we will be able to stay on or under budget. When I originally mapped out a budget it was simply a guess at what we might need as well as how much it might cost for those
things. So far we are under budget across the board and this is due in no small part to the generosity of our friends who have provided meals and and a place to park the MoHo along the way. Plus, I have a feeling that the costs are going to rise once we start hitting the big tourist spots out west. Time will tell and I'll keep you posted.
Today I experienced an interesting phenomenon. As I was filling the MoHo's tank with gas it stopped at $75. This was actually not the unusual part. In Canada, the pump would usually stop pumping after $100. I assume that this is to limit the retailer's loss should one decide not to pay. However, since I had already swiped my credit card before pumping, perhaps it is to limit credit card company's loss should the card be a stolen one. Of course, the thief be theif can just do what I did, which is start pumping again after swiping the card once more. Anyway, the part that I found unusual was the fact that the first $75 of gas I put in cost $3.13 per gallon but the following session I engaged in to fill the rest of the tank cost $3.20 per gallon!!! And this is using the exact same pump. Talk about your gas prices rising quickly.
Well, it is time for slumber so stay tuned for what should prove to be a fun-filled visit to St. Louis.
torpid \TOR-pid\,
adjective: 1. Having lost motion or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed.2. Dormant; hibernating or estivating.3. Dull; sluggish; apathetic.
We had to bid farewell to Chicago today. Strangely enough, on our way out of town we passed the leaning Tower of Pisa. I can't explain it, I can only report it. So where were we heading? We 
were off to St Louis to see what the Gateway to the West has to offer and also to visit my quondam (remember that word?) co-worker, Andy while we are in town. Rumour has it that Andy has a piano so, with any luck, A-P will be able to get another jamming session in. We got off to a late start again today, solely due to me needing extra time to update my blog, which I wanted to do while I still had access to Jim's network. We drained the rest of the beautiful sunny day driving down I-55 until it was the gloaming as we arrived out our campground. One nice thing is that the JoRo MoHo has been quietly performing all the duties asked of it without any complaints so far. Let's hope the first 2300 kms are a harbinger of what we can expect for the rest of the trip.As you may have guessed, I am keeping track of our expenditures along the way. I am very curious to see if we will be able to stay on or under budget. When I originally mapped out a budget it was simply a guess at what we might need as well as how much it might cost for those
things. So far we are under budget across the board and this is due in no small part to the generosity of our friends who have provided meals and and a place to park the MoHo along the way. Plus, I have a feeling that the costs are going to rise once we start hitting the big tourist spots out west. Time will tell and I'll keep you posted.Today I experienced an interesting phenomenon. As I was filling the MoHo's tank with gas it stopped at $75. This was actually not the unusual part. In Canada, the pump would usually stop pumping after $100. I assume that this is to limit the retailer's loss should one decide not to pay. However, since I had already swiped my credit card before pumping, perhaps it is to limit credit card company's loss should the card be a stolen one. Of course, the thief be theif can just do what I did, which is start pumping again after swiping the card once more. Anyway, the part that I found unusual was the fact that the first $75 of gas I put in cost $3.13 per gallon but the following session I engaged in to fill the rest of the tank cost $3.20 per gallon!!! And this is using the exact same pump. Talk about your gas prices rising quickly.
Well, it is time for slumber so stay tuned for what should prove to be a fun-filled visit to St. Louis.
