Day 2 - Rainy Marathon on the Interstate 40E

Heavens have opened

Today turned into a true test of endurance as I clocked a whopping 12 hours on the road. I had hoped for an easier journey, but just an hour after leaving the hotel, the heavens opened up. The rain came down cats and dogs , making visibility nearly impossible for the next 6 to 7 hours. Apparently, a hurricane from Southern Florida was making its way north, and I felt every drop as I navigated the slippery interstate.

Are we there yet?

Driving on an interstate filled with trucks can be daunting, and I won’t lie—there was a moment when I considered turning back. I’m not exactly a seasoned pro on Interstate highways like these, but I reminded myself that no adventure comes without its challenges.

( Also helped that both my son and daughter called and gave me a pep talk about it)

Mother of all Traffic Jams

Around 8:00 a.m., about two hours into my journey, I encountered a massive semi-trailer overturned on the westbound side. The accident sight created a traffic jam that stretched for many miles. I snapped a few photos, but they hardly captured the chaos. I felt for those drivers stuck in that mess while I cruised on the eastbound side.

DEJAVU

Thankfully, the rain began to taper off around 4:00 p.m., just two hours before I rolled into Sevierville. It’s remarkable how all these hotels look strikingly similar; I could swear I walked into a mirror image of my previous night’s stay. I took a picture of my room to illustrate the eerie sameness.

Day 2 Hotel Room

Day 1 Hotel Room

Please sir, I want some more SANDWICHES

After checking in, I headed to a nearby food mart to stock up on supplies for none other than ... sandwiches and snacks for tomorrow’s journey. Bought the ususal.. Sourdough, Butter, Avocado, tomato and bell pepper. Well, we will worry about all the weight gain next month !! Once I got back with the milk, made my first coffee of the day/evening.

We Live in a BIG country !

It’s easy to forget just how vast this country is. After countless hours on the road and crossing several states, I still have 22 hours left to reach my destination, which I plan to split over the next two days. To keep things interesting, I’m reviewing the map for a couple of small trails or scenic spots close by the interstate. A little detour might push back our arrival in Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, but I think it’ll be worth it for some fresh photos and new experiences.

MIGHTY MINI

On a positive note, my Mini performed like a champ today. I stayed connected throughout the drive and caught up on world news while navigating the long stretches of road.

That’s it for now! Let me dive into the map and see what tomorrow has in store. Here’s hoping for a smoother ride!

Today's run