Sunday, August 7, 2011

Moment for Life...



They say that getting there is half the trip. Some say the anticipation is better than the trip. My Mom says that travelling with the girls is a vacation, but traveling with my Dad is a trip... I say getting there IS a trip..


Nothing like a good old fashioned road trip to shock and amaze me. You never know what you will happen across. As a person a little-okay a lot-afraid of most things public, travelling always comes with it's share of challenge. Why is it that someone elses dirt is somehow dirtier than my own? I will admit though, that things are better than they used to be.


In order to save time, we try not to veer off I75 too far, so gas and food and motel choices are sometimes limited. The truck stops are now one stop joints where you can safely get all your business done. In the past I would practically have to be catheterized or risk a bladder infection or bowel obstruction before using a public restroom. Remember when you would have to ask for the key before heading out to a restroom only slightly better than a port-a-john on the sixth day of the State Fair? I am relieved to say that the toities are now inside and for the most part clean. I did however, get mistaken for a 'lot lizard' as I wandered down the wrong hallway near the men's restrooms and showers. A nice dude with a big belly and beard pointed me in the direction of the ladies room.


Back in the day, I would always pack all my own food eschewing all truck stop greasy spoons that were likely to precipitate another trip to the aforementioned outhouse. The Flo like waitress would scowl at me as I asked for skim milk, turkey bacon, egg white omelets, fruit etc. Now the McDonald's have yogurt and finally, decent coffee. At a Subway, I saw red wine vinegar, whole grain wraps and guacamole on the menu. Relatively good for you and fast service to boot.


Even the 'better' hotels still have me petrified of bed bugs and overall funk. I immediately remove the bedspread and keep my flip flops next to the bed for walks over carpet that I do not know when it has last seen Hagopian. I also shower with them on. But they are 'pet friendly', so Lola is happy. And you can get wine delivered to the room. Bonus!!


One thing I hope that never changes is the shopping at the truck stop mega malls. I love to snoop thru what someone thinks is needed for road travel. One place even had an in house movie theatre for truckers over their hour limits. I understand the need for those pills that keep you awake, but Viagra-like meds? Ummmm...I guess that's where the 'lot lizards' come in. All kinds of do rags are available in case you get all sweaty behind the wheel. French fried onions are popular with refillable mugs the size of a pony keg. Anything with a Confederate flag seems to be in style. Krispy Kreme are the donuts of choice. Second rate stuffed animals abound in case you forgot to get someone a souvenir.

So, as you can imagine, getting to my condo with my own bathoom and bed is a relief and well worth the trip. And I am finally free to make it barefoot...xo


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

In most public restrooms, you have to stand in line and wait for the bacteria to get through urinating first.

Charles Gramlich said...

yep, some of my same problems with traveling as well. Which is why I like having enough money to stay in good hotels. Even so, I'd rather be home.

Mona said...

that is the biggest problem with traveling ; the loo thing! It is one of the major causes of my many anxieties!

Hope you have a good time in Florida!

the walking man said...

I knew we were going to have coffee this week but I didn't think I'd have to travel 2000 miles to get it.

Erik Donald France said...

First, that's a stellar profile photo -- very stylish, indeed.

As for travel, truck stops are interesting, if gnarly, and yes on making trips as smooth as possible.

It seems like getting somewhere overseas again would require much more effort than in years past, but it must be attempted again!

jodi said...

Bama-ewwww, thank you for that! Where is the Hefster? I miss his smartass comments! Charles-I too am a homebody, and am happy to be here! Mona-I hate it! Florida was very relaxing. Mark, I'm home but heading right out to my parents. Granny went to a nursing home and my nieces from California are visiting. So, on the road again for me. See you on the flip flop good buddy. (how about my CB lingo?) Erik- thank you! Was celebrating the Port Huron to Mackinaw race in at a very cool party. I was pretending to be on the french riviera-a place that I will visit despite my aversion to travelling. Sometimes ya just have to bite the bullet. Love to ya, j xoxo