RB’s Moving Back To Canfield: 08/30/26 - 09/06/26

10 yrs ago, I packed up all my stuff (seriously, just about everything I owned … which was a big mistake as anyone who ever has moved across the country can attest to) and headed to the west coast, landing in San Diego in December 2016 with my faithful co-pilot Penny. I have photos of Penny at Cadillac Ranch, Route 66, the Grand Canyon, and Dog Beach here in San Diego.

During the past 10 years, I’ve had several “co-pilots”.  When Penny passed, it hit me hard … really hard.  It was then that I realized that, since I do not handle death very well, I had to do something constructive to get over this.  So I created this website as a tribute to Penny (Feel free to check out the other pages on this site).  After Penny, there was Roscoe & Pepper, a brother & sister that I fostered for a few months.  They made me realize that I needed to have a dog in my life again. 

Shortly after they were adopted together, the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California informed me that they had a wonderful senior dog that needed a new home.  That’s when Pearl arrived. The home where Roscoe & Pepper went to wasn’t a good fit for both dogs … so I got Roscoe back.  Pearl & Roscoe were very good for each other, often lying next to each other with some body part touching the other dog. It was very cute.

Shortly after Roscoe passed, several other dog-owning friends told me about another senior dog that needed a new home.  At first I was unsure about it, not knowing if I wanted a 2nd dog again.  As soon as I heard that her name is Penny, the decision was made right there.

Ever since Pearl has passed 2+ years ago, it has just been Penny and me.

Fast forward to this week: I’ve decided to move out of SoCal and head back to Ohio. This time, the new Penny will be my co-pilot making the return trip with me.

Assuming that there are no changes “on the fly”, here is my route.  My goal is to leave San Diego around 12noon on Sun 08/30 and land in Canfield sometime during “Canfield Fair wknd” … also known as “Labor Day wknd”.


Sun 08/30: Day1 - San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AZ - Miles: 428
filled up my tank for $5.36/gal in SD Costco.

The time has come for me to put San Diego in the rear-view mirror.

Onward ...


Mon 08/31: Day2 - Phoenix, AZ to Albuquerque, NM - Miles: 410
Well, I planned to leave SD at noon, but at 2p I still had a half car load of bags and boxes on my driveway … and my car was almost full. I had to do some more purging and repacking. 4p came and went. Finally ended up leaving at 5p. So I made it to PHX way later than I had hoped … which means I didn’t get to see my nephew.

Filled up for $6.00 somewhere between Yuma and Phoenix. 

Finally checked in to my hotel around 11p … just enough time for a much needed shower. Time to crash.

Movin' on …


Tue 09/01: Day3 - Albuquerque, NM to North Platte, NE - Miles: 674
Before leaving PHX yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet my boss and another co-worker today for lunch.  Great guys. I am grateful to work with some awesome people. 

My first ever trip Buc-ee's is gonna have to wait for another day ... too much rain, and I just wanted to be on the road. 

Filled up for $5.00 in the middle of nowhere New Mexico.

Movin' on ...


Wed 09/02: Day4 - North Platte, NE to Cedar Rapids, IA - Miles: 525
Before leaving AQB yesterday, I had the opportunity to have a beer with a good friend (and former San Diego euchre buddy) and her husband. Awesome people. A little bit of rain didn’t stop us. ABQ, evidenced by standing water at what seemed like every intersection, was uncharacteristically wet.

Filled up for: (1) $4.10 in Las Vegas … New Mexico. This place was a tad smaller than the “other” Vegas, and (2) $4.29 in some tiny but much appreciated Nebraska town. Landed at my hotel just off I-80 … getting closer.

Only thing I plan to do in this town is leave it.

Movin’ on …


Thu 09/03: Day5 - Cedar Rapids, IA to Marblehead, OH - Miles: 497
We made it to Iowa last night. Much like Nebraska, I don’t plan on doing anything after a long day of driving except shower and sleep. 

The most exciting thing on the drive was when we passed some carcass (deer, sheep, alien … who knows), and Penny immediately pointed her nose straight up and did some serious sniffing for about 15-20 seconds. After processing all the smells, she plopped her head back down to resume her napping. Riveting stuff, I know. 

FILLED UP FOR: (1) $4.40, (2) $3.80, AND (3) $4.10 ALL IN THE LOVELY ATATE OF NEBRASKA. 

Movin’ on …


Fri 09/04: Day6 -  Marblehead, OH - Miles: 0
We made it to Ohio last night!!  We arrived jussst before a lovely rain storm hit. Time to relax and have dinner and a beer (or 2) with my brother and sister-in-law. Looking forward to seeing them (and the rest of my family and friends) a lot more now.

FILLED UP FOR: (1) $4.00 before leaving Iowa, and (2) $3.60 just outside the indiana / Ohio border. LANDED AT Marblehead. I will not be driving anywhere today !!! NEXT STOP: Columbus on Saturday. 

Not movin' on just yet ...


Sat 09/05: Day7 - Marblehead, OH to Columbus, OH - Miles: 129
We arrived in CMH.  Gotta admit: it's nice to be back in Columbus, my home for almost 30yrs before I moved to San Diego.

Glad to reconnect with some dear friends whom I haven't seen nearly enough over the past 10yrs.

Filled up for $3.60 somewhere in the middle of Ohio. 

Movin' on ... one last time ...


Sun 09/06: Day8 - Columbus, OH to Canfield, OH - Miles: 181
We arrived in Canfield !!  It's been over 40yrs since I last called Canfield "home".  I believe that I hear a beer (or 2) calling my name.  Looking forward to having a few more with one of my longest and dearest friends, Mark ... I can't thank you enough. Made it to the Canfield Fair (2nd largest fair in Ohio, and the largest county fair in the US thankyouverymuch). Time to find all of my computer parts which are stashed in my car … somewhere. 


Mon 09/07: Day9 - Canfield, OH - “Re-entry” day.  A day to relax and breeeeeeathe … and maybe squeeze in another visit to the Fair. Unpacking can wait. Need to set up my office. 


Tue 09/08: Day10 - Canfield, OH - Return to work.

If you've made it this far and want to send me a message, click Here.
https://www.ronbevilacqua.com/contact 

Thank you for sticking with me on my journey back to my hometown. 

I kinda feel like Odysseus (ok, not really).
RB.



Total Miles driven: 2,844 !!!!