Driving Across the Country, Part 4

I am awakened, disoriented, by the sharp turn of the wheel. It is dark and foggy outside the windshield. Ice patches punctuate the streaming monotony of the stark white line on my right. We are somewhere west of Kentucky in southern Indiana, dodging ghosts and phantom animals in the Hoosier National Forest. I have been asleep, fitfully, for only a few hours. It is almost 4:00 in the morning.

We cross the Ohio River about 45 minutes later. I am now awake enough to have a coherent conversation with my wife, who is getting sleepy. After touring the darkened downtown of Louisville, we exchange positions at a rest stop. Now it is my turn to fight the phantoms of fatigue and the ice on the road.

We had been driving east, in a window of clear weather between two storm fronts. The one preceding had left only a few days before, leaving dustings of snow and ice on the ground ahead of us. At every stop tonight, frost-covered door handles greet our arrival. State highway workers huddle in the warmth of their mop closets. Behind us, hundreds of miles to our west, another storm is chasing us. We are thankful to have mostly-dry roads as we speed home.

I stop in Lexington for food and fuel, hoping that some calories and caffeine will make the pre-dawn drive bearable for a few more hours. It doesn't. I have only been at the wheel less than two hours when I have to pull over. I had been fine, alert and lucid, when out of the blue I "head-bobbed". You know what I mean. One second you are looking at the road, the next second you are jerking your head up in a panic, hoping against hope that you are still in your lane and not about to die at 70 miles per hour in the middle of Kentucky. A rest stop looms ahead 2 miles away and I pull in. The sunrise 50 miles west of West Virginia was glorious. I am too tired to appreciate it. My wife has been asleep less than an hour.

We switch places, as she insists that she is good to go. An little less than an hour later, she pulls into a rest stop. We have both hit the wall. It is time for some real sleep for a few hours.

Except I don't really sleep. Oh, I got some. Maybe an uninterrupted hour, not much more. But, now I am alert. The sun is up. The frosted fixtures of the rest stop shimmer and twinkle in the morning sun. The air is cold and my breath fogs as I walk to the restroom to splash water on my face and wash the crust from my eyes. I have decided to press on. It is 10:00 AM.

Crossing into West Virginia begins the final leg of our trip. The route that I-64 takes through the state is a twisting panorama of river valleys, gorges, and passes, punctuated by the last of the fall leaves coloring the forested hills. The road is narrow, and shared with returning vacationers and trucks on deadlines. Everybody is going fast and following closely. The nervousness keeps me edgy and alert. The road's twists finally wake my bride up in Charleston. She feeds me coins for the toll workers so I can focus on the task ahead.

At 12:45 we cross into Virginia. For the past hour she has slept. She finally looks rested and it is time for another change. We trade places in Clifton Forge, after filling up the tank for the final time.

Southwestern Virginia horse country rolls by the window at a steady pace until we connect with I-81. Here, the road construction and the holiday traffic conspire to reduce speeds to a walking pace for nearly 10 miles. Traffic breaks up before we get to Raphine and the drive into Charlottesville goes swiftly. More horse country rolls by. This is the Virginia of Madison and Jefferson. Some of these farms date back to pre-colonial times, passed between the generations as tangible proof of quieter times.

We follow the Virginia byways and back roads through Civil War battlefields until we connect with the busiest route on the east coast, Interstate 95, just 20 miles from home. And it is crawling slowly...we are so close, and we are stuck in traffic again. We've driven 2,700 on the return journey and only the final day presented any traffic difficulties. Go figure. Finally, the road opens up again though, and we finish the final few miles at speed.

As we turn down the drive and park, it hits me. I am home.

Pax,

Newbius

Driving Across Country, Part 3

Saturday morning dawn broke over Monument, Colorado to crystal blue skies and temperatures in the low teens. Our hosts woke us up to the smell of fresh coffee, bacon and eggs, and hot pancakes. We had had a good night's sleep and were well rested, ready to begin the final leg of our journey.

We tooled around the local farmlands, taking in the sights while on our way East to connect with Interstate 70 in Limon. On the way east, we passed a school zone: "50 MPH when flashing". Now that's the kind of school zone I could get used to. A couple of dirt roads and a state highway or two later, we connected with the interstate for the long haul East.

Rolling hills gave way to vast expanses of flat farm land as Eastern Colorado ranch land became Western Kansas farms. I have never understood until now just what was meant by "America's Bread Basket". Now I do. For the next 400 miles, all you could see in any direction, horizon-to-horizon, were farms. Vast expanses of board-flat, freshly harvested fields of wheat and corn, with an outbuilding or farmhouse every couple of miles, or so. I was in jaw-dropping awe at the vastness of the farmlands in Kansas. For the next 7+ hours, the view was an ever-changing variation on the same theme.

As we neared Topeka, the farms began to gain the occasional oil pump, and a few more cows, too. It was time for more fuel, for the car as well as our bodies. Steak 'N Shake was good, the gas was ethanol free, and we were ready to head to St. Louis. We fired up the car as the sun set in the west and re-joined the procession of people traveling into Missouri. The Kansas City turnpike runs you through an interesting set of twists, turns, and transitions until you are across the river and into Missouri. Royals Stadium is lit like an empty crown this wintry city night as we blast through town.

The road is still crowded this Saturday night as we continue on arrow-straight to the east to our next driver change in St. Louis, 3 hours away. I had never seen the Gateway Arch in person and intended to stop there and take it in. The trip to St. Louis was uneventful, and a bit uninspiring in the dark. Just tail lights and troopers to keep you on your toes.

We arrived at the Gateway Arch right at 11:00 PM local time. The park was officially closed for the evening, but we parked in the lot next to the historic church and walked over to see the arch up close. It was beginning to get a bit cold out, high 20's, but was still clear with no breeze. My bride and I held hands as we strolled through the park to take some pictures up close.

The Gateway Arch. Click to Embiggen

When we got back to the car, I had to get my hard case out for my XDm-45. We were about to drive across a firearms "no-man's land" as we were to continue on through Illinois. I popped the trunk and got my keys, case, and my vitamins and pills out and brought them up to the cab of the car. Immediately after (rapidly) securing the gun, spare magazines, holsters, etc. into the case and closing it in the trunk, a police car drives up to the front of my car. The park police cops get out on either side of me, flashlights drawn, and start asking questions...

Actually, nothing bad came of it. They wanted to know if we were OK. I kept smiling as I told them we were changing drivers, and I was just taking my vitamins and prepping to go to sleep while my wife drove. Flashlight #2 asked where I was going...I told him home to Virginia, at which point Flashlight #1 noticed the plates on the car and told his partner (who was closely examining my Gadsden Flag sticker in the back window) that we were OK and then they left. An interesting encounter. Even though at that instant I was no longer armed, it still felt like an official "contact". And, while Missouri states you have no duty to inform the officer about any weapons, I was not absolutely sure that I wasn't on Federal lands at the time. I kept my mouth shut about any guns, and this meeting was quick and professional.

Once we cleared the park, we crossed the "Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge" into East St. Louis, IL to get a cuppa and some go juice. I am not sure what should be said about East St. Louis, except that it felt like I disarmed too soon for my own good. Ah, well. As a law-abiding citizen, I do what I have to do. Even when it feels wrong...

I would tell you about southern Indiana, except that I was asleep through most of it.

More in Part 4

Driving Across Country, Part 2

After a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with family in San Diego, we packed up the car to begin the return trip. The plan was to take I-15 North, and hook up with the I-70 East in the middle of Utah. We departed around 10:30 PM local time on Thursday night, full of turkey and stuffing and new memories to cherish.

My lovely bride took us as far as Las Vegas, where we changed drivers, got some gas and some coffee, and took a slow tour through the underbelly of society. Black Friday came early in Sin City and the shoppers were out in force, as were the prostitutes. It seems as if the LVPD was only interested in traffic enforcement as the wheels of commerce were in full spin...

Leaving Las Vegas behind us, we began the long climb up into Utah. The Virgin River Gorge is very pretty (I have driven this route before), but in the dark, dodging falling rocks, and with temps below freezing, it is just a tense serpentine blur.

We got breakfast in St. George, Utah, then headed up the snow-dusted central spine of the state to Interstate 70. As the sun rose to our right, the cliffs and breaks on our left lit up in a wonderful palette of green, yellow, orange and red. The road was clear. The temperature hovered in the single-digits. The speed limit was 80... :) Time to make tracks.

Shortly after changing onto the I-70, it was time for another diver change. I got to watch as the surreal scenery of central and eastern Utah gave way to the high plains and canyons that approach the western slope of the Rockies. Although I didn't sleep, the rest was welcomed as I needed to take over driving again near the Colorado border.

Driving along the Colorado River for 2 solid hours, we got to see scenery that postcard photographers can only dream about. The temperature was below freezing and there was a dusting of snow on the rocks and plains, and the shores of the river were coated in ice. The river gorges gradually gave way to the ski towns of Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge. The roads through the mountains were icy in spots, but no chains were required. The drivers showed as much caution for each other as the skiers do. I was driving at a black diamond pace. They were flying along much faster than I.

We exited the mountains and dropped down into the Denver metropolitan area before sundown. We toured some of the suburbs there, trying to get a feel for an area that might become our next home. As the last of the twilight faded in the west, we pulled into the driveway at our destination for the night, Monument, Colorado.

This leg covered roughly 1,175 miles in about 19 hours including stops. The visit with friends was a welcome break. Their hospitality, food, and beers were very much appreciated. The 10 hours of sleep were much needed.

More in part three...

Fast, but is it food?

Mrs. Newbius and I arrived home safely last night. My thanks to all of the people who supported us this past week. I treasure all of you.

A couple of observations are in order. First, fast food isn't. Some of it is food, but is not fast. Some of it is fast, but barely qualifies as food. Some of it is neither. While blasting across the country twice this past week, I got to sample a lot of fast food. The things that really stand out in my mind are these:

McDonald's is consistent. A burger, breakfast sandwich, or cup of coffee tastes exactly the same in Dickson, Tennessee as it does in St. George, Utah. They are a known quantity, no surprises. Not great, but consistent. A solid 4 out of 10 on the fast-food scale.

Sonic is inconsistent. Where they are good, they are above average. Where they are not, they are not. The Sonic in Oklahoma City was above average. This store rates a 5.5 out of 10.

Wendy's does the double-patty cheeseburger better than most, and they are pretty good nationally. I had forgotten how good they are, and the Wendy's in Parachute, Colorado was very good but a bit pricey. The produce was fresh and the meat was very flavorful. This store rates a 6 out of 10.

The regional chains generally do better than the national ones do in terms of taste. The three that stand out are: Five Guys (East coast), Steak and Shake (Midwest), and In-N-Out (West coast). In my experience, they rank (worst-to-first) Steak and Shake (7/10), Five Guys (8/10), and In-N-Out (9/10). There are no losers in this bunch. All of these chains rank far above the national chains in terms of taste and quality (although Five Guys doesn't do drive-through). You can take me to a Steak and Shake for a milkshake any time. They are very good there, and the one in Topeka was worth the stop.

Five Guys does fresh meat patties and hand-cut fries, and the few I have been to are pretty good. The finished product is at times inconsistent, but is mostly good most of the time. They are not quite as polished as some chains, and the one by my house has at times needed a more thorough cleaning. If you want a good fast-food burger and one of these is nearby, go there.

What can I say about In-N-Out? Everybody should go there at least once in their life. Fresh (never frozen) meat, locally sourced. Fresh produce on the burgers. French fries that are made from honest-to-goodness potatoes cleaned and cut right there in the store. Reasonable prices, outstanding flavor. Their slogan is "Quality you can taste", and they mean it. I went to the one in Anaheim Hills, and it was great.

Double-double with both raw and grilled onions, French Fries, and a lemonade. Well worth the drive, all 2700 miles of it. :)

Pax,

Newbius

(Note to the FTC: I paid for these burgers with my own cash, and sometimes with indigestion-thanks McDonald's. I have received only food value for this post...)

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

Alinsky's Rule Number 5

5. "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."

Go and look at Twitter #TSAslogans and enjoy the fun.

Dear Airline Industry

You have lost me as a customer.

Just as I am entering into the years of my life where I planned to do a lot of travel, you enabled the thugs of TSA to completely and forever alter the relationship with your customers. Now, instead of responding to the millions of advertising dollars that you spend every year by purchasing a seat on the "friendly skies", I will travel by car.

The revenue that you hoped to see during the holidays? It will instead be spent at a string of Exxon, Texaco, and Unocal stations from sea to shining sea. Do not expect me to be helping you pay off your 777's and 787's any time soon.

In order for me to fly on your airline, I must:

Endure the indignity of shoe checks, naked scans, or groin gropes.
Leave my toiletries at home.
Leave my pocket knife at home.
Leave my handgun at home (because if it doesn't get damaged in-transit, your baggage handlers will steal it).
Arrive several hours in advance of my flight, get hassled by rejects from rent-a-cop school, get questioned about my destination, purpose for traveling, length of stay, and desire to remain a sane citizen (Papers, please!).
Be willing to submit to indignities under penalty of excessive fines without ability to appeal.
For the pleasure of enduring all of the above, I have to pay you, and pay extra if I wish to bring more than two changes of clothes.

No thanks.

You (the airline industry) are clamoring for the government to make you feel safe, while trampling the liberty of the citizenry. Too bad. I refuse to play any longer.

In the near future, I am embarking on a round-trip journey across the country, from Virginia to California and back. All-told, this could have generated a couple of thousand dollars of ticket sales for you, as I intend to stop in Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas along the way. Instead, I will take the lesson that you are trying to teach me to heart. Namely, you value your alleged security more than you value my liberty or my custom. So, I am taking away my custom and keeping my Liberty.

In opting out, you will lose my revenue, as you have lost my willingness to be subject to arbitrary rules without logical purpose (except to teach me subjugation). My schedule can tolerate a few extra days devoted to travel. Can your profit margin tolerate people like me boycotting your services? If so, how many, and for how long?

The traveling public wishes to know.

The traveling public is waiting for the Airline Transport Association to decide that the pendulum has swung too far. The public is waiting to see what breaks first: your industry, or the TSA. I am betting the former. The bureaucracy has finally gotten what it has always wanted: Carte-Blanche to inspect and detain citizens at-will, and without cause; and you are the smokescreen.

When the last airline is destroyed, sacrificed upon the altar of the Security god, don't whine that you "didn't know". You are all hoping to be the last one standing, to receive the final bailout and nationalization. In truth, the TSA parasite has already killed the Airline Industry host. All that remains to be seen are the agonizing throes of your demise.

I'll be the one with the popcorn.

Newbius
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Opt Out, Part Deux

According to TSA'a guidelines, if you opt out, you can be subject to CIVIL penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. The procedure, outlined here, lays out the prosecution guidelines. Please note that at no point is the alleged violator given the option of a jury trial. Also, the alleged violator is accused, convicted, and assessed, with final disposition (if disputed) subject to the ruling of an Administrative Law Judge.

I have one word for this procedure: Unconstitutional.

Whether or not you agree that the act of purchasing a plane ticket waives your 4th and 5th Amendment rights, the fact that the penalties are civil in nature strikes me as an attempt to defuse the core constitutional question regarding the right to a jury trial. Since the attempted fine to be exacted exceeds the sum of $20.00, (it is $10,000 per alleged violation), the denial of the right to a jury trial under both Article 3 Section 2 AND the 7th Amendment strikes me as ripe for challenge.

What say you?

Newbius
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Opt out

Yes, Opt out.  There are many reports going around the 'net these days about the TSA Security Theater, and about how 'opt-outs' now get treated to a pat-down instead.  Folks, this is an attempt at gradually conditioning you to accept government intrusion into everything you do.

Never mind the fact that they are lying to you about how "this is always what we have done".  Enough people travel regularly to know that this is not true, yet many more only travel infrequently and just accept it at face value.

I choose not to play at all.

Until TSA is abolished, and these intrusive security scans are removed, I will not fly commercially.  Period.  They can all go pound sand.  There is nothing that I need to get to that is so critical that I cannot drive.  This includes visiting my ailing grandmother in Arizona, and a likely funeral in California within the next few months.  California is 2600 miles away.  Round trip airfare right now is about $260 per person.  Gasoline, round trip, is about $300 $600 and I will have a car when I get there.  If I have to stay at a couple of fleabag motels on the way, it might cost me an extra $100.  So be it.  As long as the airlines agree to provide the trains to the gas chambers vehicle for expanding tyranny in my life, I will refuse to play.

You cannot compel me to voluntarily waive my rights.  You cannot compel me to purchase goods and services.  I will not play.  You will have to use force, as that is your ultimate argument.  And, when it comes down to that, the distilled essence of your nature, I will respond in kind.

Newbius
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