13 Hours

I love to drive, and have probably driven millions of uneventful miles. Day. Night. Local. Cross Country. Out of Country. Cars. Trucks. RV’s. Pulled trailers. Pushed broken down cars.

Add to that all the miles I’ve ridden… Maybe the idea is that I love to be on the move, and as I age I’m happy to say, “Let’s Go!”

Through the years we’ve done it many times. 24 hours. 55-70 miles per hour. 1300-1600 miles down the road. Stops for fuel and food. A few leg stretches. Maybe even a power nap.

I’m no longer that person. My max is about 13 hours, 800 miles, and a stop every 2 hours whether the gas tank needed it or not! I no longer enjoy driving at night – I may miss something!

But there is still an issue. I like to drive in charge of my vehicle and the road around me! It’s difficult slowing down to a miserly pace. There is still something that pushes me to put miles between where I started in the morning and where I’ll end up in the evening.

COVID-19 has put a scare on the country and there’s much over-reacting, but since I’m not in the know, maybe it’s necessary. The one thing I know, I want to get home before they do something like shutting down the freeways and turning off the gas pumps!

Travel Home

We freed up our schedule and headed home on Thursday morning. Over 800 miles in about 12 hours, driving 85 most of the way, with the same stopping frequency. With the time zone change we added an extra hour to our day! Pearland, TX – Las Cruces, NM… Done!

Then, we thought about enjoying a slower pace and end out the next day earlier than normal. So, we made plans on stopping in Moab, UT. Around noon I made reservations while on the road, called the hotel to ask about food in the area, and settled back to enjoy the next half of the day.

Immediately, they called back and canceled our reservations due to a shut down of all hotel rooms by the county management. For 30 days all hotels are closed unless you are a local resident, or someone with a business interest in the way.

So. I booked in Provo, called the manager and asked, are you closing? Nope. Come on down! We added another 4 hours to our driving day in some of the prettiest country around, and pushed to Provo.

Yet, we had to drive at night, with some rain and snow showers, and antsy people on the road! It was during the daylight hours that an 18-wheeler pushed around us trying to pass on a hill. Of course, oncoming traffic means he’s honking at us, slinging his trailer around to scare us to slow down. We did. He hit the shoulder and sprayed us with gravel. Just a mean ol’ guy!

He did something similar to another car, so we stopped in a local burg and called the sheriff. We are ready to press charges, if they ever find him! And, we’ve got pictures!

Saturday

This morning, I’m up early as usual. We are sleeping in and resting a little longer than normal. There’s no food at the hotel where they normally serve hot and cold breakfast. Coffee? Yes. Guess that’s safe.

We will slow down and take our time today and tomorrow. I’m not driving 14 hours to get home so exhausted I will be no good to anyone! There.. Said. It… Now? Live it.

Here’s My Thought Today

There’s no place like home. Where’s my ruby red slippers? We sing songs about going home (heaven) and managing our journey. We don’t simply stop and smell the roses everyday. Or any day. There’s too much to do. My destination is ahead of me, and I’m pushing forward.

Looking over my shoulder I realize there’s much behind me left undone, and words left unsaid. There’s nothing I can do about it.

A favorite singer and performer sings a song I reference often. Buddy Greene. Sojourner’s Song. He sings of a place where he doesn’t belong, and heading to a place where he does belong.

That’s my feeling today.

I feel my home calling me, and it’s where God planted me. Being “there” is my calling, and not where I think I would prefer. You know, that 1,000 acres in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and not another roofline in sight!

My prayer today? Enjoy your home, you know, that place God has planted you. But don’t get happy and think it’s your final place.

There’s a beautiful home, far over the sea… This world is not may home… Come and go with me to my father’s house…

Let’s Go!