Illinois and the road home, Oct. 2008

Sitting in the Seminary Street Pub, in Galesburg, Illinois quaffing a pint of Newcastle, sated from consuming two pieces of a portobello mushroom and broccoli tart acquired a few doors down at Cornucopia Natural Foods. Likely the tastiest thing all natural this side of Revelations in Fairfield.

Trip up from Dallas was fairly uneventful. Spinned Hancock on the PC and played Hearts and JFK Reloaded. Breakfast was a hot one at last but got potatoes on my plate instead of the grits I ordered. Nothing that a bottle of Tabasco can't make palatable.

Pulled into Springfield on time and posted to the blog while I waited for the shuttle to Galesburg, a 90 minute van under gray skies.
Got about an hour before the train pulls through. I've decided to pass on Ottumwa and have an associate pick me up in Osceola instead. Had to drop $21 extra though. I thought about a bus ride straight to Des Moines, but that would have been close to fifty bucks and wouldn't pull out 'til close to seven. One way of another I expect to have a day off tomorrow to lounge around the house, picking up the pieces of packing and unpacking. I'll have chores to do that I put off because of the trip. Hope to hold those off until Sunday.

It's tempting to slug down another $3.50 pint of Newcastle but I've got the train to catch and I'd just assume not do it on a full beer belly. Besides, the savory tart I had was most filling. Lots of cheese on top of the 'shrooms and greens held together with a flaky crust. And only four bucks for the last two squares.

It's kinda gray and drippy outside. First moisture I've had on the trip, and that's including my first blustery night in El Paso. I'm back in the Midwest for sure.

Good jukebox here and the crowd is nil. Wish I'd didn't have to leave.


Pulled into Osceola close to 40 minutes late. Associate and a friend riding shotgun were chilling when I popped open the trunk. We left quickly but were not on the road for long before pulling into the Terrible's Lakeside Casino located on the other side of I-35. My associate wanted to hit the buffet, while shotgun buddy was only interested in gaming and bolted straight for the casino floor.

The buffet closed shop just as we got inside so we looked for shotgun buddy and found him at the blackjack table. He had quickly blew through 25 bucks and finally we left for Des Moines.

It was about ten when we pulled into town and most places to eat had closed up shop so we settled for the B-Bop's on SE 14th for 99 cent burgers and tomfoolery involving ketchup packets.

Got back to the apartment close to 11pm. The trip was over. One day to rest, pay rent for December, make some calls and unpack before going back to hell. Rather anti-climatic.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Texas Eagle & Galesburg