At this moment, I am far removed from my initial route, the Trans-Am. And at this moment, I am getting satisfaction from looking at the Instagrams of people I've met so far who stuck with the Trans-Am--I'm getting satisfaction from witnessing the unprecedented weather they're facing, rain and snow and record heat waves. They are struggling and I am having a jolly time on this Northern US route I'm making day-by-day.

For dinner, I was served a salad with fried onion rings on top. I can feel the Great Midwest approaching...