Driving across the country

Last Friday, my beautiful bride and I set out on a cross-country trip. We drove straight through, along Interstate 40 to California, arriving Sunday evening.

I learned a few things along the way. I learned that my wife can sleep in a moving vehicle at the drop of a hat, and that I cannot unless fatigued far beyond normal endurance. I learned that the forests of Arizona (yes, you read that correctly) are beautiful, especially when it snows. I learned that Americans are still gracious, polite, and friendly in the main. And, I re-learned that I really do love long-distance driving.

The trip west was interesting. The mountains and hills of Tennessee gradually gave way to the foggy swamps of Arkansas. We didn't see the sun until we got to Oklahoma. And then we didn't see a cloud again until Albuquerque.

California is still beautiful, and I don't miss it much. Actually, I should say that I miss the climate, and my family, and my friends out here. I miss In-N-Out Burger and Del Taco, and the Pacific Ocean. I especially miss Catalina Island, my "happy place". But, I don't miss the traffic, or the socialist politics, or the entitlement mentality.

Sometime either late tonight or early tomorrow, we will begin the return journey. Our planned route will be east along Interstate 70, through the heartland of America. We will start in San Diego, head up the I-15 through Las Vegas to Utah and Western Colorado, then pick up the I-70 east. We have friends to see in Colorado, and I have never seen the St. Louis Gateway arch. I am looking forward to this trip. It will be an adventure. Please be safe out there during your Holiday travels, as we plan to be.

Pax,

Newbius