So yesterday we drove away from Herndon, Virginia, heading west towards Route 15 which we would have taken to Frederick, Maryland, where we would have connected with Interstate 70.
But there were problems. The road was icy and it would appear that local authorites in that part of Virginia are unaccustomed to salting the road surfaces. We moved along slowly and carefully until finally coming to a point, just before the bridge across the Potomac, where the road was blocked by police with all traffic stopped. Checking my map I figured an alternate route, cross-country, and we ended up tootling along a winding, rolling road through farmland (and low mountains not far away) in central Maryland. Fortunately salt trucks were out doing thier business and we were able to safely make it finally to I-70 where we picked up speed.
We made it, at last (after a looping, mildly exhilarating drive along the Pennsylvania Turnpike) to Pittsburgh where we visited my Aunt Aletta who demonstrated that, though 96, her wit hadn't diminished in the least. (I suspect that her regular practice of devouring two to three books a week, plus daily crossword puzzles, helped keep her sharp.)
Traffic for the remainder of the journey was light, and as is our wont, we "enjoyed the journey"--not pushing ourselves. We even stopped at Wendy's near Grove City, PA, and ordered Value Menu chilis, caesar salads, and Frosty's, while we lounged back and chatted. Ah, the good times...
Later, there was zero wait at the border. The official asked a simple question ("are either one of you bringing in more than $700 in goods?") before benignly waving us on. Next stop, I should add, was to the bridge toll booth, where a grimacing, smart alecky middle-aged man who obviously hated his job, behaved in an insulting manner. (I always think of the perfect riposte too late: I should have said, "get some counselling" and would have been only half joking. He probably did need vocational counselling to learn how he could be better challenged.)
Anyhow, we sailed along the Queen Elizabeth Way to Toronto in light traffic. I fooled with the radio, listening to talk shows as Charity snoozed, arriving home at around 10:00. Soon we were greeting Gus the Cat, who couldn't get enough of us as we lounged before the TV flipping channels and watching all manner of folderol. Checking idiot box images of Toronto revelry, we noted that snow already was falling. Feeling happy that we'd beaten the 15 centimeters of snow set to fall here today, we trundled off to take our first sleep of the new year.
And now the day has past: I've tuned in briefly to one or two college football bowl games, and we've given attention to an item of business (which so far I've not mentioned here, but which some of of you already know about. Soon all will be revealed...)
Well enough rambling for now--and may you all be blessed in '08.
But there were problems. The road was icy and it would appear that local authorites in that part of Virginia are unaccustomed to salting the road surfaces. We moved along slowly and carefully until finally coming to a point, just before the bridge across the Potomac, where the road was blocked by police with all traffic stopped. Checking my map I figured an alternate route, cross-country, and we ended up tootling along a winding, rolling road through farmland (and low mountains not far away) in central Maryland. Fortunately salt trucks were out doing thier business and we were able to safely make it finally to I-70 where we picked up speed.
We made it, at last (after a looping, mildly exhilarating drive along the Pennsylvania Turnpike) to Pittsburgh where we visited my Aunt Aletta who demonstrated that, though 96, her wit hadn't diminished in the least. (I suspect that her regular practice of devouring two to three books a week, plus daily crossword puzzles, helped keep her sharp.)
Traffic for the remainder of the journey was light, and as is our wont, we "enjoyed the journey"--not pushing ourselves. We even stopped at Wendy's near Grove City, PA, and ordered Value Menu chilis, caesar salads, and Frosty's, while we lounged back and chatted. Ah, the good times...
Later, there was zero wait at the border. The official asked a simple question ("are either one of you bringing in more than $700 in goods?") before benignly waving us on. Next stop, I should add, was to the bridge toll booth, where a grimacing, smart alecky middle-aged man who obviously hated his job, behaved in an insulting manner. (I always think of the perfect riposte too late: I should have said, "get some counselling" and would have been only half joking. He probably did need vocational counselling to learn how he could be better challenged.)
Anyhow, we sailed along the Queen Elizabeth Way to Toronto in light traffic. I fooled with the radio, listening to talk shows as Charity snoozed, arriving home at around 10:00. Soon we were greeting Gus the Cat, who couldn't get enough of us as we lounged before the TV flipping channels and watching all manner of folderol. Checking idiot box images of Toronto revelry, we noted that snow already was falling. Feeling happy that we'd beaten the 15 centimeters of snow set to fall here today, we trundled off to take our first sleep of the new year.
And now the day has past: I've tuned in briefly to one or two college football bowl games, and we've given attention to an item of business (which so far I've not mentioned here, but which some of of you already know about. Soon all will be revealed...)
Well enough rambling for now--and may you all be blessed in '08.
posted by Ted | 1:15 PM
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