Telegraph Road

Welcome to part 3, as I celebrate the tenth anniversary of the beginning of my new life.  

If you missed the earlier parts, you can find the first HERE and the second HERE.

I don't remember just how early I woke up ten years ago this morning, but I quickly checked out, gassed up and got on the road.

For those who aren't familiar with the geography, there's spike or panhandle at the top of West Virginia that sticks up between Pennsylvania and Ohio.  That was some of the most beautiful country I've ever driven through.

It's almost distracting, the breath-taking explosions of color as the leaves were all changing.  This is one of the few instances when I really wished I'd had a camera.  Of course, if I had, I would have been even more distracted, and might not have ever finished the trip.

I was able to do what I wanted, and crossed over into Ohio before I talked to Lisa that morning.  Moving off the eastern seaboard and into the Midwest made me feel like I was really on my way!

I lived in Cincinnati for a few years in the 1990's, and briefly thought about taking a slight detour, but as much as I would've liked to have gotten some Skyline chili and Graeters ice cream, I mostly wanted to get to California already.

So I continued heading west.

I'm pretty sure this happens to everyone, but it seemed like I spent the longest part of my journey that day driving across Indiana.  I'm sure that was just in my head, and I certainly don't mean any disrespect to Indianans.  Maybe I was just spoiled by waking up in Pennsylvania, and quickly going in and out of West Virginia, then talking to Lisa as I made my way across Ohio.

Next was Illinois, and I semi-pondered another detour.  I really love Chicago, and would love to have stopped to see the sites.  But Chicago was WAY off in the other direction.  It would easily have added an extra day to my trip.  And I was much too anxious to get to my new life.

I didn't really have that long to think about it, as I wasn't traveling across that much of Illinois.

And then I was finally in Missouri!  This was my last state for the day.  All I had to do was drive around St. Louis and I'd be done.  Since it was Sunday night, I thought it would be best to stay at a hotel on the other side, so I wouldn't have to fight St. Louis traffic on Monday morning.

By the way, you can see the famous St. Louis Arch from pretty far away.  For a while, it almost seemed like a mirage, and that even if I sped up, I still wasn't getting any closer to it.  I was also fortunate in that the National League Championship Series was going on, and even though the Cardinals were home, playing the Astros in game 4 of the series, I got in, around and out of St. Louis without dealing with Championship traffic.

Found my hotel, just west of the city, and then took some time for a treat.  I didn't want to stay out late, going to one of St. Louis' famous blues clubs.  Well, I did, but I knew it would be tough to get going early the next morning if I did.

But I certainly wasn't going to stop in St. Louis and not have ribs!

The night before, in Pennsylvania, when I had gotten online to find a hotel, I also looked up ribs.  The internet informed me that one of the best places in St. Louis was a barbecue joint called Charlotte's Rib (named for a local TV celebrity).  I was glad I did the research, as I heard someone asking the guy at the front desk for suggestions, and he told them he didn't know as he wasn't from the area, so there wouldn't have been any help there.

I admit I had misgivings when I drove into the strip mall parking lot.  It seemed out of the way, and a little too ordinary.  I mean, I kind of expected more from one of the best rib places in St. Louis.  Something more ostentatious.  Maybe with a giant pig out front.

I needn't have worried.

The ribs were truly outstanding, and the seasoned fries were delicious, yet unlike any I'd ever had (and almost anyone can tell that I've had plenty). 

Not to turn this into a restaurant review (ten years later), but if you're ever in St. Louis, you should put Charlotte's Rib high on your list of things to do.

I found my way back to the hotel, booked my next stop and said goodnight to Lisa.  I was now half a country closer!

Seems like I should have been listening to the blues on the way to St. Louis, but one of my most vivid memories of this leg of the trip is crossing a bridge in West Virginia, marveling at the spectacular display nature was providing me, and hearing "Telegraph Road" coming out of my car's speakers.  I may very well be the only person who connects Dire Straits to West Virginia.