Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich started his 14-year federal prison sentence for corruption today in Colorado, USA Today is reporting. The 55-year-old Democrat was convicted of such crimes as trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat.

Blagojevich will serve his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in suburban Denver. Along the way, he stopped for lunch, with television cameras recorded his every move. The former governor ate at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, where owner Brian Pyle said he seemed to be in good spirits, but felt the experience was surreal.

As Blagojevich left his Chicago home to travel to the Institution, he was surrounded by cameramen, photographers and reporters. He sounded both optimistic and defiant. “I’m leaving with a heavy heart, a clear conscience and I have high, high hopes for the future,” he said as he left his home.

Blagojevich wasn’t accompanied by his wife, Patti, as he made the trip to the Institution. She did address the media last night, and was seen through a window as her husband left for the prison. Their two daughters also didn’t accompany their father, who said saying goodbye was the hardest thing he ever had to do.

Written by: Karen Benardello