By traveler 
I had a very long drive ahead, though thankfully the route was almost entirely on the interstate, specifically I-90, with speed limits up to 80 miles per hour. The GPS indicated that I could stay on I-90 all the way to Maryland. Then, it displayed a message suggesting that I could save 1.5 hours by taking I-35 south.
I-35?!?
The original route would take me above Iowa, and I was disappointed but tiredly accepting on this ninth day of my trip. Then, with this suggested change, I would not only enter the state, but actually drive through Grinnell after taking I-80 from 35! I knew that on a Friday during summer break, many staff would be off work. Still, I called a friend to see if I could stay overnight, stopped by the Favoli’s in Des Moines since there aren’t any in the DMV (hint, hint), and I bought the ingredients for a friend favorite, German Chocolate Cake.
I stopped by the library and caught up with some of my former co-workers then spent an enjoyable evening over the baking of cake. I’m still impressed that I only took three cupcakes with me–though none survived the trip, I’m afraid.
The last bit of business was to order and pick up 16 Iowa chops–I would have gotten sweet corn, too, but it was too soon in the growing season–and packed them in a newly purchased chest for my grill master brother to cook for the family. Sorry, y’all, but they were consumed with great relish during the July 4th weekend. I was also fortunate enough to enjoy lunch with one of my former voice teachers and his wife in Iowa City.
On the drive back, I impulsively jumped off the highway to see what displays Galesburg, Illinois, offered on the Lincoln-Douglas debate held in the town in 1858. Since I had done no advanced research, I relied on the town’s signage. This was all I found:
Just a few pictures taken, available at http://www.singin1.pics/piwigo/index.php?/category/Glacier-and-Yellowstone-NPs-May-2024-Day-7.
The rest of the drive home was fortunately uneventful. My big surprise, though, was that I was not the same kind of exhausted as I usually am. I credit using compression socks, which my new podiatrist prescribed when I told her about my plans to drive to Montana.
Speaking of Montana, this is the map of the entire trip:
As always, I thank the Lord for granting me the stamina to make the trip, the damn good reflexes to steer the SB as she needed to be guided, and the ability to enjoy His handiwork as it whizzes by my windshield.