Indianapolis Beltway

 

 According to our AAA Trip Tik, we would skirt Indianapolis briefly and head north to Chicago... not so simple. After a few miles on the beltway, we see "all lanes closed ahead" on the electronic freeway sign.  We tune into traffic alerts on the radio and learn of the car fire ahead. We pull off, study the map, and determine the best choice is to circle the city the long way.  So it's back on the beltway in the opposite direction.  Before long we need a bathroom. So we pull off the beltway again, but get sidetracked heading the wrong way on a different freeway.  Quick turnaround at the next exit and back to the beltway. That's when we notice the check engine light is on.  Not a good sign on day 2 of our trip! Helen searches for answers on her iPhone, I continue circling the city,  and we still need a bathroom.  Then we see the golden arches and realize it's lunchtime. No folksy cafe for us today. At McDonald's, first we call Nate for advice.  Then Helen calls Jeff, her Baltimore mechanic/guardian angel. He instructs us to get a diagnostic test before driving on. Helen locates an automotive shop less than 2 miles away (Four Square rocks!!).  Turns out to be a minor emissions issue, not a safety concern, but we should check it out further in Chicago. Bladders  empty, bellies full, and brows relaxed, we return AGAIN to the beltway.  Finally we reach the turnoff, and head north for Chicago. Peace out Indianapolis! We finally escaped your clutches. PS - Check engine light mysteriously goes off in Chicago