Arkansas, Veteran's Day, Dad's Birthday and Family

November 11, 2008 - Tuesday - Veteran's Day


Veteran's Day AND my Daddy's Birthday. We'll just say that the first digit is "8" and that he's one of the many many Veterans we salute on this day - and he's looking *good* - even if his first digit was NOT "8". Hi, Dad.


Into "Monroe" and brave the Dallas traffic to make it to I-30 to Little Rock - and find that the I-30 traffic is even *worse* than Dallas traffic: GOBS of heavy trucks - and that triggers a rant (though I think I already ranted about this): when there are only 2 lanes in a given direction WHY do people "pass" others when they're only going about 2 MPH faster? All it does is block *both* lanes for people who are trying to go 10MPH faster. Particularly with HEAVY 18-wheeler traffic, it really clogs up an interstate to have one 18-wheeler *inching* past another. If you're going to pass, then PASS at at least 10 MPH differential. Otherwise, just stay behind whoever you're behind. 2MPH ain't going to really make a difference - even over a 12-hour driving shift. Sorry. But I found myself rolling along behind a lot of 18-wheelers - waiting.


Meanwhile, we had a lot of time to talk about - things - and Kathy and I both confirmed that even with the minor annoyances of driving - that we are SO glad that we're not having to put up with the insanities of *flying* anymore: having to pack everything really tight so that you only have to pay $50 to check *one* extra bag, then having that bag opened there in front of everybody - spilling your underwear out on the floor and trying to jamb it back in, then take *off* your shoes, belt, cellphone, laptop computer, and watch - to hop thru security and try to get re-packed and redressed (while holding your baggie of clear liquids), then RUN for the plane since Security took an hour to not really make you any more secure. It does raise the argument that the *security* is costing America so much that it, alone, means that Al-Quaida "won" - just by messing up travel in the U.S. But you all know that. Just know that it is REALLY nice to be able to just throw things into a van, hit the road whenever we're ready and not have to worry about some TSA agent having a bad day and deciding to strip-search you while the airlines are busily raping you anyway.


But actually we had a GOOD day. (smile).

Just rolled Northeast. Stopped in Texarkana for $1.97/gallon gas - and a tasty lunch at Subway - and arrived at my Brother's house outside Little Rock - by early afternoon.


Then we visited. With brother and SIL and Dad & StepMom - and had some *great* chili and cornbread for dinner - and some *great* "WooPig" ice cream and brownies while talking and looking at trip photos.


Good stuff. This is what life is about.


We passed 9000 miles today - up to 9098 total. Looks like we'll be comfortably over 10,000 miles before we get back home - but we're on the final legs here.