We had the alarm set for 7 AM, but we were both up before 6 AM.

Ate breakfast, all was good, two kinds of fruit.

The big debate this AM was if we were going to stop across the freeway so we would save $.40 over stopping down the road. Saving time won out over saving money and we didn't stop.

Fuel mileage dropped this AM. Wind warnings, for us it was a head wind. The only time the car wasn't downshifted was if we were going down hill. On the first leg, the road was clear and no snow anywhere yet.

Stopped 90 miles down the road at Tonkawa at the Pilot, it was the 2nd cheapest fuel we found this trip (and the cheapest we bought.) We were down to a range of 40 miles when we stopped. The wind was just as bad by the fuel pumps. Once I got the pumps started, I stood next to it and could feel the whole pump moving in the wind. I didn't bother to go in and use the restrooms, I would have had to thaw out first. :)

Road are still clear up to Wichita and still the headwinds. At Wichita the road turns east so we loose the headwinds, but the roads start to ice. Before long we see a pickup that looks like it just hit the cement median. The guy was out looking at his truck, looked like he was yelling and shaking his fist.

Over the course of the day, we saw four semi's on their side and a dozen or two cars in the ditch. Only one still had someone in it. Some places it was 50 miles of ice, others only a few, and in places only a few feet. Ran with the cruise on less than half the time.

Next stop was supposed to be Emporia but because we were driving slower, we ended up stopping at Towanda for a quick restroom break.

... then on to Emporia. The traffic light wouldn't turn so we ended up taking a right and re-routing our trip to Bruffs. Eaten at this place many times over the last 15 years. It sits behind the Motel 6 and the now Clarion. Always great food, no exception this time.

The washer on the passenger side of the car hadn't worked most of the day, then mine quit working. When we stopped for fuel we looked at it, it worked again, both sides so we didn't add any fluid. Down the road it froze up again. No more fluid the rest of the trip. Luckily we only got splashed a couple of more times before we hit IA, and then the roads are clear.

We did stop and add some fluid but it must be froze further up in the line. Car is from TX so they may have just been filling with water, I could only add less than a quart. Doubt it got mixed well.

Back to yesterday ... When I first started driving, I got on the freeway in Fort Worth ... I merged into traffic but some traffic was still passing me. I looked down and I was going over 70 mph and people were still passing me. Speed limit is 70 mph right through town ... and 65 right through Des Moines.

Traffic wasn't bad through Kansas City, too early to eat at Stroud's.

By the time we reach Des Moines the temp has dropped to 10 degree's. We decide after the big meal at noon to just get Taco's to go and head to the motel. For no reason, we pick the Sleep Inn in Ankeny. We have stayed at 5 different Choice motels in the Des Moines area, but this is where we ended up.

No issues at check in.

We are on schedule to be back and too work by Monday.

... oh, while eating my taco's I felt something hard ... my temp tooth. It had fallen out. So now I have something else to do on Monday ... or not.