Day #358: T-Seven!

Dear Ellen,

The first leg of my historic Drive to Ellen is in the books.  Six-hundred miles down, 2,400 to go…approximately speaking.  Besides one minor bump in the road (namely, a small part of dragging undercarriage on the car that needed some wiring back together), it was a smooth ten hours.  Lots of controlled-cruising (or, if you’re more familiar, “cruise-control”) through parts of the country that I’ve not travelled before; always nice to step foot on new soil.  As it turns out, when one (me, in this case) is in a car…alone…from nearly sunrise to sunset…a few thoughts traverse your mind…

1. Driving in pouring rain requires significantly more concentration than driving in clear conditions.  Texting while driving in a monsoon is really unsafe.
2. Sirius XM (satellite) radio is better (dare I say?) than sliced bread.  Why did I not know anything about this sooner?  Who has been keeping me in the dark?  I wonder if my measly unemployment check would cover the cost of one for my car? 
3. There’s a town in Pennsylvania called Lovers (and, incidentally, another one called California).  It’s right past a giant, roadside sign that reads “Jesus is Real” and before another that says “Pray. It works.”
4. I don’t understand the immense amount of tire-tread that litters the side of major, middle-of-nowhere highways; you know the ones.  Presumably, they come from all the 18-wheelers that clog up the major, middle-of-nowhere two-lane highways and which you inevitably get stuck behind for miles.  However, you never see those gas-guzzling monstrosities pulled over with shredded and deflated tires.  Can someone please explain this curiosity to me?
5. I am fascinated by the Amish.  Maybe that’s not “politically correct” to actually admit….but I’m just saying what we all thing anyways.  There should definitely be Amish communities throughout the United States and not just clustered in a few Midwestern states.  What’s better than pulling up alongside a horse and buggy at the gas station?  (I know what you’re thinking.  And, in response, I don’t know.  They were not filling the buggy with gas, but rather purchasing something in the convenience store.  Pringles, perhaps?).  Regardless, that sight was definitely the highlight of my day.

More from the road later, Ellen.

Sincerely,

Katie

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