Thoughts on traveling

While traveling the seven hours to the lake this week, I had some random thoughts.

First a confession

Sometimes I drive the speed limit. I drive 55 in a 55 zone. I drive 65 in a 65 zone. It used to drive my wife crazy, but she is starting to get used to it. You should try driving 55 in a 55 zone. Other drivers really like it. Okay, fine, I speed up to 59 when people are behind me, or I pull off and let them pass.

Sometimes less

I have been known to drive five miles per hour under the speed limit.

Sometimes I drive under the speed limit. I often drive 60mph in a 65 zone — to save gas. I’m trying to save the planet here. I don’t, however, drive under 55, and I only drive under the speed limit when Nikole is not paying attention and when I’m on a four-lane road so people can pass me.

Today I drove the whole seven hours at the maximum speed. I knew I needed to get my wife to the cabin as quickly as possible (and I was not real excited about spending more than seven hours in the car with a one-year-old.)

I love my wife’s inconsistencies

My healthy wife turns into the snack queen when she goes on vacation. Before we left, she went crazy at the grocery store buying anything that was high in fat, salt or sugar. All the way up to the cabin she was saying to the kids, “Sure, have some Cheese-its. Sure have some licorice. Ritz crackers anyone? Helen, put some Mountain Dew in Lydia’s sippy cup!” She made sure there was always an open bag of cheesey chips by my seat and a big cup (an earth-friendly re-usable cup) of sugary, creamy coffee in my cup holder. I married the perfect woman for me.