Chicago, TV, Iowa and Truck Stops

DAY TWO:  FROM CHICAGO TO OMAHA

Here we are on Day 2 of the Mom Road Trip, on our way from Chicago to Omaha.

We are currently sitting outside a truck stop in--well, in Somewhere, Iowa, on highway 80 about forty miles east of Iowa City. Let me share here that this is by far the most enormous truck stop I have ever had the pleasure (?) of being in. To illustrate:

I'm just now noticing that the floor said "World's Largest..." something. Largest what? Truck stop? Or World's Largest DVD Emporium Inside Of A Truck Stop? Very hard to say. maybe both.

It also seemed to house an entire Steve & Barry's...

...and a well-stocked Figurine Shoppe. (I kinda want that two-foot elephant). Not pictured: the food court featuring four fast-food restaurants and the spacious ladies' room. I'm telling you, it was like a small airport.

This is the first time I've been online today, since I took the first shift, driving from Chicago until we reached The World's Biggest _______. It's been a busy day. I got up at 4:40 AM, at which point I very reluctantly relinquished the gabillion-thread-count sheets in my hotel bed at the Omni hotel in on Michigan Ave. Waking up was made slightly more palatable by the fact that I didn't have to make anyone else breakfast or change any saggy overnight diapers. Also, I didn't have to share the shower with a bunch of bathtub toys. And there was no errant pee on the toilet seat. I got to shower, make myself a cup of tea, get dressed, do my hair and put on actual makeup (not just a stab of mascara) without a single interruption. That was actually pretty luxurious.

So despite the early hour, I was in a pretty good mood when Devra, Sarah and I left the hotel at 5:20 and began our walk to the CBS studios. It being the first time I've been interviewed on live TV, I was a little nervous, but Devra lightened the tension by dropping her travel mug, in a dramatic and messy fashion, while I performed an acrobatic move to avoid being hit by flying coffee. Of course, this happened right after we walked in the front door, in front of the security guard . He seemed thrilled, and we made quite a splash (ba-dum-dum.) 

After that it was to the "green" (actually beige) room to wait. Our host, Suzanne Le Mignot, came in to chat with us and let us know what to expect, and she was absolutely lovely. She made us feel so at ease, and as it turns out, she has a four-month-old baby so she totally understands the Mom thing. Our interview went well, after which we headed out of the studio and to a local cafe for much-needed breakfast. Devra had an artichoke, tomato and swiss omelet. Sarah had a Greek omelet. I indulged in a spinach omelet. We are such individuals.

Update...it's now about an hour after I started this post, and we're currently 10 miles or so west of Iowa City. I had a horrible attack of low blood sugar and motion sickness that could only be cured by an exit from the car, a glass of water, and some lunch. I'm feeling better now, but as I don't want to push my luck, I think I'd better wrap this up and hang my head out the window for a few minutes like a puppy. Plus, Devra's battery is dying and she needs the outlet.

Next stop? Omaha, baby. We'll update again soon--and look out for us tonight, at 10 PM Central, (you'll have to do the timezone conversion yourselves, folks, I haven't the stomach left. Literally.) on the Sunday Inquisition with the Queen of Spain!

-Meagan is wishing she'd taken her friend's advice and loaded up with Dramamine before she started roadblogging. 

Comments

[Laurel - Road Trip Mom]

You must have been at "The World's Largest Truckstop" http://www.iowa80truckstop.com/

They have a picture of their showroom floor that completes your photo at their website http://www.iowa80truckstop.com/Super-Truck-Showroom

[Brenda]

We stop at this truckstop all of the time on our way to Omaha to visit / abandon the kids at my parents house. It's a little like your heading right into a black hole of brand new useless crap that you just have to buy because you are at the Worlds Largest Truckstop, of course! How can you pass that up?

Safe travels ladies!

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Awesome. Truck stops are THE BEST!

Let me know the deets for your Denver stop! Hopefully I can sneak away to see you all.

[dump truck rentals]

Now that's what I call a road trip! Don't push too much, get well soon!

James

[website domain registration]

I feel that, it is a great place for shopping. Image itself impressed me a lot but my native place is not a Chicago.