Scary Letter from Delaware DOT

When we first moved to DC thirteen years ago we got an automated driving speeding ticket near Bethesda. Luckily that was the only time. When we were driving through Lawtey Florida a few years back, we were stuck in a speed trap and paid the consequences. I filed my case with the Florida house and senate offices here in DC as well as the state of Florida representative because it is a well known problem. The office staff all knew about the issue. I received a follow up letter from the Florida State office saying they would address it. We still had to take a written test and pay a fine. So when we drove through Delaware to meet my sister for lunch in Cape May last month, my sister warned us about a speed trap. So when we saw that we would be getting a letter from the Delaware DOT on the USPS Mail preview, we were a bit nervous. My husband was worried about it all day thinking we got another speeding ticket. I wasn’t as concerned because I always like to worry AFTER I know the exact situation, rather than imagine what it might be. Finally when the letter arrived, we were both relieved to learn that it was for a pay toll. I vaguely remember that I may have missed a toll when we drove from Maryland to Delaware. We have an Ezpass device but it’s not stuck to the windshield and I have to hold it up every time we need to use it. My husband was asleep at the time and I just didn’t notice - but I sort of did. But by that time I did, it was too late. All I can say is that I’m glad the invoice was for $5.60 rather than some outlandish speed trap. Nevertheless it ruined our day! Now I need to find out from Subaru if you can hang the transponder next to the eyesight safety feature on the windshield. Then I won’t have to worry about missing another toll. 

Ride Home From New Jersey

We were invited for a lunch date in Cape May, New Jersey on Monday. It took us over four hours to get there from Northern Virginia going through the scenic Delaware route. So we decided we would take the freeway route back - hopefully it would be shorter and quicker, and the preferred way for an evening drive.  Even though catching I95 takes you north up towards Wilmington Delaware first, eventually you get to Baltimore and a more familiar neighborhood. There are only so many ways to navigate around the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. I’ve decided I don’t particularly like very long, old bridges anymore. And taking a ferry isn’t our cup of tea since we went to Michigan from Milwaukee on Lake Michigan when it was cold, rainy, and turbulent. What we never realized were all the farm and cowboy sites in New Jersey. We just never associated New Jersey with cows and agriculture. There were as many barns and farms as is on our way home from Lynchburg Virginia. We actually made good time and arrived back in a little over three hours. We like taking day trips. It’s been a while since we have done much of anything since moving to Northern Virginia from Capitol Hill in April. Hopefully now we can begin doing more of these kinds of things - while we can. That Safari in Virginia still looks interesting. 

Four States in Four Hours Day Trip

We had an unexpected invitation for a lunch date in Cape May, New Jersey. We had heard about Cape May for many years but never had a reason to go until yesterday. There are three ways of getting there from here in Virginia - along 95 through Baltimore, along 301 through Delaware, or taking the ferry in Delaware in Lewes to Cape May. We took the ferry across Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Muskegon a few years ago to avoid Chicago. It was cold, rainy, and rough weather - not a great experience. So we nixed that idea and decided to drive the 301 route through Delaware. So we started out at 8 AM and headed out on the freeway. I had a feeling we took the wrong path early on. What should have taken four hours was more like five. Driving around DC in Monday morning rush hour is a royal pain anyway. The google maps was all over the place and we missed the nearest turnoff to head towards Annapolis, Maryland and the Bay Bridge. Once we finally got there it was a rather pleasant drive through the small towns of Delaware and then in to New Jersey. What surprised us the most were all the farms, but also all the cowboy stores. Since we haven’t really been anywhere since we moved to Northern Virginia from Capitol Hill in April, it was a nice diversion. Day trips are fun, but getting back home felt even better. I can’t say I always felt that way going back to DC.