Take Time for a Roadtrip

We love to drive. But we dislike staying in motels. Consequently, it is not unusual for us to take a couple of days to get to our destination, but on the way home we like to do it in one day. So we will travel fifteen or sixteen hours at a crack to get from Florida to DC and about as much time from Wsiconsin to DC. It's a lot easier in the summer months because it stays light out so much longer, but the downside is that everyone else is traveling too. Fall and winter are a lot less busy. And since I retired in February, we could actually change how we travel - from long weekends to maybe weeks at a time! I still get the sense I need to be back home soon so I can return to work, but that thought dissipates quickly. I most enjoy sitting in the passenger seat and checking out the view. We rarely listen to music or the radio when we are on the move. We would rather chat and exchange nonsense. And with iPads and iPhones, I can always keep up to date with my digital art hobby as my virtual studio travels with me. If you haven't had the opportunity to get on a roadtrip you are really missing out on something. It started a long time ago when we traveled as a family with my parents from the northeast to the south, and all along the eastern seaboard. And ever since then, I'm always looking forward to it. 

The Privilege of Driving on the Turnpike

Whenever we drive to Milwaukee from DC, the shortest route is on the turnpike. I hate the turnpike! It starts around Breezewood near Pennsylvania, and ends after Indiana. But even when there isn't a turnpike, Illinois is full of toll roads. When we lived in Milwaukee, we got I pass transponders for both of our cars because we got tired of stopping and paying cash for every toll road in Illinois. We didn't need them in Wisconisn! We recently had to renew the old transponder from Illinois because it was outdated. They sent us a new one only if we promised to send the old one back. And we manage it from the Illinois website, and they automatically replenish the amount when it reaches a minimum limit. So when we travel on the dreaded turnpike, this transponder works. I feel trapped on this stretch of highway. There are only service plazas with minimal options rather than rest stops and normal exits. Getting on and off is a pain as well. I much prefer the freedom of the interstate. And when we got home, I checked the total amount we paid for the privilege of driving on this special road - 71.59 !!?? Maybe next time we will go the long way for a change in scenery, longer miles, and probably more gas that will cost as much as the toll roads. It's just so annoying when you should be having a good time. Who's idea was that anyway? 

Driving Through Chicago - the Car GPS Leads Us Astray Again

I don't trust the car GPS. And it was proven once again last week when we drove to Milwaukee from DC. I usually set google maps on my phone as well as use the car GPS, but my head was down when we were passing out of Indiana and in to Illinois. Rather than take the usual bypass, we ended up heading straight in to downtown. We haven't been that way since the last time we made that mistake twenty years ago. We always paid close attention to the confusing signs that first take you west to Iowa, then north to Milwaukee. So we cursed a bit, but then just sat back for the ride. After driving past the rusty bridges and landscape of Gary, the Chicago White Sox stadium, and the Sears Tower, we saw our usual exits like Ohio Street, where we would frequent Reza's Persian Restaurant and Michigan Avenue. We spent a lot of time in Chicago over the thirty years we lived in Milwaukee, including Christmas time weekends when my husband was attending medical meetings or we just did Christmas shopping and enjoyed the sounds and sights of the holiday season. I suppose it was a nice reminder of all those things, but it did delay our arrival time by quite a bit. Would we have preferred taking the bypass? Probably. Did we enjoy the ride? Yes. 

Illinois iPass Transponder

We got an iPass transponder over ten years ago. We used to travel to Chicago regularly from Milwaukee and it was just easier to have that little device hooked to the windshield rather than stop and pay at the toll booth. We still use the same transponder today and keep it updated from afar. Unfortunately, this type of device does not work when you have a new Subaru with eyesight - a safety feature with cameras on the rear view mirror that inform you of the car distance in front and automatically beeps when you go astray. So I requested a new device that can't stick to the windshield and they sent us one that attaches to the front license plate. However, when I read more about it, it mentions it may not work in Virginia because the signals are transmitted from above. But it won't work in DC either because anything stuck to a license plate with street parking would be destroyed within days. People would be banging in to the license plate with their cars whenever they park near it. I have a feeling we will have to hold the old device up to the windshield whenever we need iPass. So much for making things easier, but that rarely occurs around here. Gone are the days of easy living with a driveway. I miss that terribly - for the simplest reasons!

McLean and Tysons Keep Growing

We haven't been to McLean/Tysons for awhile - not since the Silver metro line opened several weeks ago. We like going to lunch at Cafe Deluxe because it is connected to under cover parking and is the perfect place to go in bad weather. The weather was not an issue this day, but the parking is still a nice option compared to most streets in DC. I'm sure it was our imagination, the time of day, and day of the week - but the traffic seemed to be less congested than usual. The building cranes seemed to have popped up in every direction. The new apartment and business tower that is alongside the freeway still has a way to go. All I know is I wouldn't want to live here, but it's nice to know it's only about a twenty minute drive from Capitol Hill. My husband has been suggesting he may be in need of some new pants, but wasn't in the mood to explore the options at Tysons Galleria after lunch. That place reminds us of Northbrook Court in Oakbrook Illinois - a shopping area we liked to go for more unusual items and an excuse to head to downtown Chicago for dinner. These little excursions remind us that it is too soon to give up our car because we still like to drive around a bit, and I don't like taking metro. But at least we only have one car to think about here. And that makes a big difference for a lot of reasons.