Blog draft mar 20 26

Travel Plans

A start date was selected, then an approximate end date was calculated. I packed a bag, usually a small duffel or two, then set off in the wee hours of the selected morning. Usually, 3:30 or 4 am. That got me on the road out of our urban area with the least traffic. Breakfast was in Springfield, Illinois, then gas in St. Louis, lunch in Springfield, Missouri, and dinner and motel in Oklahoma City that evening. About 14 hours of driving and 1000 miles. Early the next day I would head off west toward Albuquerque. Usually arrive for lunch and a motel. Dinner later after a nice rest. Then, early the next morning off to Gallup for breakfast and gas. Afterward, a nearby crossing into Arizona, a zippy drive to Flagstaff and down I-17 to Phoenix. In my case it was Sun City and my parents’ home. I say usually because I did this trip at least annually for about a dozen years. The route home was normally through interesting parts of New Mexico and Colorado. Then home to very green Illinois.

Today, my age suggests traveling companions and thus more planning. Such as hotels with arrival dates needed which, in turn, require mileage calculations and timing. This adds to the travel times, plus the personal needs of each fellow traveler. This includes mealtimes, expected bedtimes, awakening times, travel start times, and so forth. On the road stops for gas and restrooms add to the timeline. Mileage calculations become more difficult.

Then there are the planned stays and sightseeing desired. What will we see, on which day, by car or local transportation? What about more distant locales? Might this require different hotel accommodations? What does all of this do to the timelines and other arrangements?

You see the issues accumulate. Once it was so simple: drive until tired whatever the mileage and then begin the next day whenever you want. Early start and an early end for the day, or push on for another 300 miles? I’m beginning to see what my parents had to do when we traveled as young families. It is different ages now but similar needs to arrange.

I’m sure the trip will be fun and very worthwhile. I’m just struck at the complexity of it all when none was thought of before. The company, of course, will be much enjoyed.

March 20, 2026

Remember Epstein Files

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