"Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?" Robin Williams Mork & Mindy
This is NOT what the traffic conditions looked like as I drove to Seattle-Tacoma Airport Friday at RUSH HOUR to pick my husband up from his 5 days in Florida. No, oh no!
Anyone who knows me knows I go out of my way to avoid the freeway whenever possible.( might have something to do with being rear ended as I drove the drivers' ed. car on the freeway , so very long ago) The highways and by-ways are very scenic you know and I really don't mind stopping at all the traffic lights , just more opportunities to see the sights more closely. At least when you are stopped at a traffic light you have the hope of the light turning green and you can go on your merry way to wherever .When you are stopped, nay, PARKED on the freeway with hundreds and thousands of other people , I begin to get a little panicked and I think maybe I should have packed a meal and some water...maybe a pillow too, because sometimes you can be parked on the freeway from the Tacoma area to Seattle and back for a very long time.
As I began to drive onto the 512 freeway to then merge onto I-5 to pick up my much missed husband, I saw immediately that this was an even more extraordinary traffic jam than usual. I almost turned around and went home, but that would have been impossible because of the JAM! So I had to stick it out to the end, just hoping this was not my ending , because my Hubby was expecting a ride home. Did I mention I always prepare for death when I have to drive the freeways? Just a little quirk of mine.
As I drove, and alternately parked, drove , parked , drove I-5 to gather my beloved I prayed and would say to myself, " boy, oh boy...I only do this for someone I love..a LOT!" Cutting to the chase, ( what chase, you could outrun the cars most of my drive there) I arrived in time to pick him up, he drove us home..again , driving, parking, driving, parking, and we are safe and sound at home. Next time he better book a flight to arrive at 2:00 a.m. Now that's MY time!
"The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it." Dudley Moore
19 comments:
I agree. After driving (sitting)on freeways for years I am enjoying the laidback agricultural region where we live now. I get behind a large piece of farm equipment sometimes and enjoy it immensely.
I don't know why everyone wants to go so fast all the time!
Gee, I do NOT miss traffic! I bet Jim is enjoying the cool after being in Florida in JULY! All I can think of is bugs, heat and humidity...ugh.
Enjoy your anniversary now that you're back together.
My sister texted me from the interstate yesterday. She had planned a day trip and was caught in interstate traffic on and off during the 2 hour drive home. I did not envy her. I miss getting away from the farm recently, but not the summer traffic!
I have been rear-ended twice at red lights. I can certainly understand the fear, watching the rear view mirror to see if someone really is going to apply their brakes and STOP! :)
God bless.
I'm with you - any time I can avoid the freeway, I do. Once during a GA ice storm, it took me 7 hours to go 25 miles from my job to home. After that, I started packing necessities in the trunk just in case!
Not sure Dudley's device would work for me, I don't drive well when hyperventilating.
I force myself to drive into Fort Worth (and about once a year into Dallas or Ephesus as we are wont to call the big D) so I don't become a little old agoraphic mess at home. I do try to "time it" and would rather drive in very early - sit someplace reading a book and drinking the water (which we always carry in a car with us!) and being calm than fight the urge to FIND A BATHROOM in heavy traffic. Somehow I've acquired a huge concern about having to go to the bathroom and being stuck on the inner lanes of a gridlocked freeway - I am sorry - that was far TMI! Glad your dear one is home safe and usually middle of the night flights are easier to book and have less bad weather (have I scheduled late night flights deliberately before - yep!)
I enjoy slow paced living. I greatly dislike the traffic! Sometimes I have to get in it, but would rather not!
God bless you and your family!
Appreciate your sharing on my site.
D
I agree. I try to schedule flights to avoid traffic but sometimes there is just no way. Glad you are both home safe.
Kathy,
I know what you mean. I don't like driving in rush hour traffic. I don't know why everyone has to drive so fast all the time anyway.
I hate traffic jams! But, I do like driving on the interstate, just because I can get somewhere quickly as long as traffic is flowing.
Oh, Kathy; I feel exactly like you do in regards to the freeway, but I am not sure at all that I would have been able to do it at all.
It's only another proof of the love you have for your husband
And the black cat on the red wool is gorgeous
Audrey
I feel your pain. One thing I am very familiar with, unfortunately, is freeway driving and the dreaded bumper to bumper traffic. You know it's bad when you get to know the people personally in the car next to you. Time of day is always a consideration when we plan to go somewhere. I am glad your hubby is back home safe and sound.
You are not alone in not wanting to drive that freeway!!! It's toooo small for all the trafic!!
Try flying out of PDX...it's not so bad.
Are you keeping cool? No wonder there are so many wild amimals coming out during the day...they need a drink!! Raccoons showed up last night...and we are down a couple of chickens! What do we do?
Debbie, the worst driving for me is from here to Seattle and I don't drive to Seattle often, I prefer to drive south on the freeway towards Olympia and Portland, Ore.
Thistle Cove, yes, he is glad to be home...but we are experiencing a heat wave here, and it is very hot!I don't know how my Hubby deals with traffic like that every day coming home from work, but the AC car is at least cool!
Mary, isn't it something, that I have to schedule 1 and 1/2 hour to get to places that used to take me no more than 30 - 45 minutes to get to ?
Mildred, we have had a few of those ice storms here too, and they make you want to get out and walk home, except you'd freeze! They are scary to drive in.
Lanny, are you saying a police man behind you makes you nervous? I bet you did not test well with a teacher standing behind you either!
After living in Atlanta, GA for years I can certainly understand wanting to stay out of the traffic. I don't miss it a bit. I have to admit I think your views are probably a bit more scenic than mine was.
Very funny memoir of your highway experience:-). I so dislike the time wasted on the "rush hour" highway. One big benefit of moving from big city to small town.
I quite identify. I will, literally, drive miles out of the way on side streets and back roads just to keep moving! Makes no sense, but sure does feel better! C
LindaSue, I have also been in rush hour traffic from Greenville, Texas to Dallas. Very much like Tacoma to Seattle, but hotter! I try to always keep water in the car and have a gallon jug in the back at all time. Food and pillow are on my 'add - to the car' supplies list!
Deanna, I am still waiting for the slow-paced life, can't figure out how a stay at home wife in the country like myself cannot find it!
Noble Pig, when I schedule flights they are ALWAYS for the after midnight til 6:00 a.m. hours. Most sensible time for me , and I hope others don't take this advisement, then MY hours might get crowded!
Brenda Kay, the problem with rush hour is no one gets anywhere , slow or fast!
Nancy, key words " as long as the traffic is moving" !
Audrey, thank-you. and yes...you might have noticed that over the years I NEVER volunteer to drive people to the airport, and always think the people who will drive others are my heroes!
Leslie, that is funny but true! I have a sister who has spent her life commuting to and from the big cities and she said she actually did recognize many of the same people every morning.
Flower, I have done PDX...yup! As far as the predators coming out after your animals, the only thing that has worked for us is to confine our animals. There seems to be an even more abundant of hungry and BOLD predators than we have experienced in our whole 2 decades here.
Susie, even scenic views can't be enjoyed when the traffic is dangerously gridlocked and tempers on the road flare...I try not to look sideways sometimes when it is really bad for fear I have or might offend someone dangerous....just me?
English Cottage, I was definitely calling down humor and God's help in my drive!
Stick Horse Cowgirls , YES!!!! Someone else who thinks like me in regards to back roads and free ways, you mean I am not crazy?
Oh I don't blame you for avoiding the freeway, Kathy. I hate that kind of traffic. Glad you both made it back safely.
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