While walking the old Lincoln Highway (1913-1926) at Donner Pass, we came across a stone retaining wall which used huge rocks. The Chinese must have built this for the Dutch Flat Wagon Road, the construction road for the Transcontinental Railroad, c. 1860s.

I'm off schedule 😬 but being a flâneur in Valparaiso was delightful 😌

Arrived in Fort Wayne about a day and a half later than planned, but got a sweet suite. Promptly did laundry as the underpants situation was becoming dire 🩲

Yo read up this jawn

The morning started with yarn from Knitting Off Broadway, then iced coffee, so I am way less cranky than I was yesterday!

⛽ I'm not making it to Canton tonight. 📚 I can probably attend this tomorrow!

I went to the Buckeye Book Fair, met Brian Butko, and now having a coffee from Whippt WHIPPT DALGONA COFFEE_WASHT and I must say, this coffee is HECKIN GOOD

Took a dip off the original route to cross the river into Chester WV and check out the (reportedly) World's Largest Teapot

I'm at the Living Dead Museum in the Monroeville Mall, and I absolutely love that my phone camera takes "group photo" shots of the zombies

My road trip estimation app told me I'd get to Trenton today. So anyway, I'm heading to breakfast in Downingtown in the morning.

Mileage-wise, I didn't go very far today. Emotionally, it was a great day. Back in my hometown, visiting my first college, eating vegan pizza. Everything was familiar, yet not. The hotel upgraded me to a king suite, complete with whirlpool tub. A birthday relax is imminent.

It's good to be back in the land of Wawa and among people with familiar Philly accents (that I am definitely falling back into). About to cross into NJ and my trip is nearing completion!

I have checked into the final hotel of my road trip. I decided to stay in NJ tonight and get to the eastern terminus tomorrow morning. So close!

Renting a car for your next road trip? Keep these tips in mind: 🚘 Book early and compare companies for a better price 🚘 Be savvy about upcharges by filling your tank instead of paying for fuel service 🚘 Take the scenic route to get familiar with the car and enjoy the drive

That's it! Visited my brother on the way back from NYC, then it took SEVEN HOURS to drive from South Jersey to DC. But just returned the rental car and caught the bus home. Where I will loaf for the next few days. Mission accomplished! 🛣️