Day 54 - Back To Where It Started

Days on the road: 54.
Miles today: 503.
Miles to date: 12,263.

And then, just like that, the journey was over. Back in Burlington, ON staying with friends who were good enough to make sure there was room at the inn for my return. No manger necessary.

Leaving Chicago was tough, as I was enjoying myself immensely. There's nothing like the energy of a city - I've said it before and I'll say it again. Unfortunately, the rains came as I tried to depart this fine city. The came in torrential downpours and were the precursors to the tornadoes that hit the mid-West and Leamington. Bizarro fact of the road trip - it seemed that my visit to many places preceded some sort of weather event. Shortly after leaving, my destinations were hit with tornadoes, epic rains and flooding, wildfire, rock slides, snow storms, and more rain and tornadoes. I take no responsibility in any of this.

It felt good to cross back into Canada and to know the way to my destination. No hassles from our fine border guards and smooth sailing to my destination. My eyes saw familiar sights, from London to the run down the 403 to Brantford to Hamilton and the last few turns to where it all began almost 8 weeks ago.

Next up: A few days with very few miles on me or the Audi, some organization, some visiting with friends and family, and then the next adventure.

Until then, some more random thoughts, life lessons and stray observations from life on the road:

• Dear Young Adult American Males, what's up with the jacked-up trucks? I'm sure they are fun on the weekends in the mud bogs, but in the city? In traffic? As part of society? Really?!?!?
• Colonel Sanders, you will not make a victim of me with your Double Down sandwich. Not this trip. Not ever.
• I may be the fittest man in the great state of Wisconsin. This is not a good thing for your state.
• Why do hotel minibars charge 8 times the street value of their contents? Is this really a good business model? How about maybe just 4 times the street value? Wouldn't this do something for the demand curve for this aspect of the hotel business. (Ace Hotel - this does not apply to the greatness that is your minibar).
• Deep fried cheese should not be celebrated as a regional delicacy. Wisconsin, I'm talking to you.