RVers, that is, that have the press-on map of the United States inside their rig.
Does one apply each state as one passes through,
or is it a matter of "earning" each state
through the experience of staying overnite
or at least participating in some sort of activity other than filling up?
Filling up or utilizing the restroom.
Cause if bathrooms count, then I'll tell ya what
I'm applying ALL states.
Sadly
its non-stop stopping
to pee
for me.
On the one hand, I must confess
I'm thrilled to be drinking so much water.
Usually a 16oz bottle lasts me a week - no exaggeration.
(I've got witnesses.)
However, all this intake of the universal solvent
is really dipping into my driving productivity.
It's Sunday nite and we're two hours away from Greensville, Mississippi
where we will meet Doc Myers in person for the first time.
I must confess
I'm a smidge nervous.
I was joking with Annika, my pal and camera gal
"What if I start passing out the Hugs
and the folks start in...
'that's it
we've lost our houses and you're givin' us
stuffed animals?'"
I don't FEEL like that's gonna happen
but
they'd have a point, no?
Well, enough of that.
In the meantime
just a few moments I missed earlier
that should not be skipped.
Names of favorite pit stops:
LOAF 'n JUG
Kum & Go
(love to take a poll:
named by a man, or a woman?)
Unfortunately we were unable to take advantage of the
Interactive Kool Aid Exhibit In Hastings, Nebraska.
I can only assume this was an opportunity I will regret for some time to come.
That and the World's Largest Truck Stop at Iowa 80.
Seriously, I'm a shoe-in for that kinda stuff.
How disappointed in me am I?!
Very!
Well, believe you me
they've been jotted down on the list of things to do!
But, who knew The Cracker Barrel was so darn tasty
and down home hospitable ta boot!
On our way out of Chicago
we hit some seriously exciting weather.
(Watson, Illinois)
Well, let me clarify
one person's nightmare
can be another's thrill ride
(especially if she's from Los Angeles, California
and never gets the chance to drive in the middle of
tornado conditions
i.e.
MAJOR wind gusts,
a DELUGE of rain
a smattering of shattering hail
blinding lightning with
clear bolt definition
and nerve rattling thunder that rattled
the heck outta the rig.
(more Watson)
I LOVED it!
Annika, not so much.
This is a good time to inquire within...
What happens if lightning hits a moving vehicle?
Educated responses would be most appreciated!
(and now you've seen just about all of Watson.)
In the interest of protecting the innocent
on occasion I choose not to disclose certain conditions.
Could I have shielded Annika from the distress of the storm
certainly I would have
and perhaps it behooves us that she's the ying to my yang
and vice versa.
This next particular occasion,
although in retrospect providing hours of entertainment
certainly contributed to my gray hair output.
I'm not exactly sure how it happened.
One minute we sailing along
road conditions swell
life is good
spirits are high
and for once
I don't need a pit stop.
Ah, 46 miles to the next town
we can make that.
20 miles later...
What! SEVENTY six miles to the next town
oh for love of GOD.
"Hmmm, interesting" I comment out loud.
"What's that?" inquires Annika.
"No, nothing, I just thought that the next town was coming up a little sooner."
And that was all I said.
"Oh it's gonna be fine" I told myself.
"It's just not in the cards for us to run out of gas,
I'm sure of it."
I can be pretty convincing
and I had me buying it for a while there.
Until
the steep hills ensued.
Hill after hill after climb after climb
and soon those familiar cheap gas pings
I had so easily become accustomed to
seemed to taunt me
"you're running out of ga-as."
"ha
ha ha
ha
ha
HAAAA!"
Soon I was leaning forward to help the cause
hands clutching the wheel
palms sweating so much
hands had to work overtime to maintain their clutch.
It was at this time that I experienced the moral dilemna of not being forthcoming.
There seemed to be no point in needlessly worrying Annika
when I was confident it would work out.
But now that all signs pointed to the contrary,
do I prepare her for the worst?
Or, perhaps, when her concern for the vehicles malfunctioning arises
I could console her by reassuring that
no, we're not breaking down,
it's okay
we're just running out of gas.
In the midst of my mental debate
Annika casually mentioned aloud
"Guess we're gonna need gas pretty soon."
And before I could implement my poker face
I blurt out
"OH MY GOD YES!!"
We laughed
and then I laughed again nervously
and then continued to laugh HYSTERICALLY
until it seemed possible the paper bag we have to be bust out.
I was so relieved the information was out there
that I missed the exit for gas.
Slammed on my brakes
and took a deep breath
before backing up and
thanking GOD like I've never thanked him before.
Seriously though, thanks BIG GUY!
WHEW!
Heart palpatations just writing about it.
I close with a photo of my handsome pal, Percy
looking most dashing in his winter ensemble.
And with him wondering when the heck I'm gonna quite typing and get to sleep.
BIG BIG day tomorrow, the first official day of handing out hugs.
It's the true test for SEND-A-HUG.
Cross your fingers and send-us-a-hug.
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