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 We recently had to renew the old transponder from Illinois because it was outdated.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? 

The Barns and Farms of Pennsylvania

The landscape definitely changes from Maryland, to Ohio, to Indiana. Our last day driving home from Milwaukee was cloudy and rainy. This was the first time we drove to Milwaukee and back since we moved to DC nine years ago. On the first day, we had to stop at the Subaru dealer to get the exhaust pipe repaired. Our Subaru is eleven years old, but we want to see how long we can keep it going. The rain came and went this day, and the Allegheny mountains were spectacular. It's the farms and barns that got my attention. Some of them were so scenic and picturesque. There seemed to be more red than any other color. And there were signs for dairy farms, different from the other states. All of them had windmills, something not quite so obvious ten years ago. The land was not flat around here, we were on the turnpike rather than the interstate, and thank goodness we had I pass - the same mechanism on the windshield that we got in Illinois all those years ago. It's hard to believe the trip is over because it feels like we were just planning it. But as long as we are able to drive around we intend to continue doing it. I love looking around and taking photos and my husband likes to drive. It's the perfect combination until he needs to get in a nap. But it's well worth the extra time to get from point A to B. 

Road Trip Comes To A Screeching Halt in Washington Pennsylvania

We were in Washington, but not Washington DC. It was in Pennsylvania. After driving through the mountains of Maryland, passing by Fort Necessity, farmlands and golf courses, the car started making horrible metallic and other noises. Our eleven year old Subaru promised to behave after having a gasket repaired a few months ago to the tune of $2800. Luckily we have google maps and found a Subaru dealer, it was early afternoon, and a workday. So we embarrassingly drove to the place through town and begged for help. We were prepared for the worst but didn't really want to buy a car now. It turned out to be a very bad and rusted tail pipe that was replaced for another $899 - with a $50 AAA discount. Since we have no time constraints we spent the five hours doing what we usually do in the afternoon - read, and catch up on social media - with our iPads. Just another adventure of sorts. It could have been a lot worse! Please Bessie! If we need to get another Subaru, we prefer to get it at home.