HOW MUCH?

 

I’ve noticed that states put up large signs along the roadside announcing that you are entering their state.

There isn’t any change of color to the road or surrounding ground, like you see on the map.  In fact, except for the sign, you’d never know you just crossed over a state line.

Sometimes there is a state moto accompanying the state name, like Maine (The way life should be) Other states are a little more ominous like (Live free or die) Personally I’d like more choices.

Sometimes there are indications that the traffic speeds have changed and possibly reminders to buckle your seatbelt.   Other than those, the only other thing you might notice is a change in car license plates.   They will be a different color and have a different saying on them, if any.

None of these things can be seen from seat 27D.  Air travel glosses over the details of going from one place to another.  Almost the same can be said about traveling by train.  Everything you are app to see will be blurred.  Telephone poles, fence posts, cows – all blurred.  You’ll see an abundance of farmland, but minus the aroma.  Fortunately trains travel at a higher rate of speed than smells.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, the one constant in all of them is that one thing you forgot to pack.  It is still back at the house, and you can’t stop thinking about it.  It festers. You go over it and over it again and again, but no matter – it’s not in your suitcase. 

Eventually you tell yourself that you’ll just buy another one when you get where you’re going.  But once you see how much they want for it, suddenly you decide you can get along without it.

 

 

zc