Lessons From The Road

Here are a few random thoughts, observations, and lessons learned from 6 weeks on the road:

• The breakfast burrito from a Chevron station is a BAD idea.
• People in the Pacific Northwest are not a happy bunch. Could be the rain or the hoodies or the Columbia sportswear, but they offered this humble traveler nothing but grunts, frowns, and very little eye contact. However, lesbians and Subarus seem to be in plentiful supply in Oregon and Washington. So, there's that going for the region.
• Two women sit at a bar. One is regular sized, her friend is, uh, plus-sized. The first wants to order an appetizer plate. The second initially refuses, but ultimately goes along. When all is said and done, the second one finished the plate and took down more than her fair share of hummus. Just an observation.
  
• American gas stations require a zip code authorization for pay at the pump. The system does not recognize/accept postal codes. One then must guess the dollar amount of gas the car will accept, go inside and pre-pay on the same credit card and show photo ID. This is inconvenient and one ends up either short filling the tank by guessing low or having to go back inside and get a refund. Again, inconvenient. Especially when one is filling up at least once a day.
• Why don't we have cat eye reflectors on GTA roads???? And don't say because of the snow plows. In areas where snow comes to visit, they put them in divots in the road way. Even in construction zones with temporary lanes. Being able to discern lanes is clearly a big thing for me.
• Changing lanes to pass - American drivers don't seem to get this concept. They often pull out to pass and cut off traffic in the fast lane. Then they take an awful long time to get back into the right lane.
• Americans might be catching the British in the arena of drinking culture.
• Guy Fieri is an idiot. Not that this wasn't abundantly clear by his hair, attire, and TV conduct. I have eaten at a number of the restaurants that have been on his show and his over-the-top compliments on their cuisine is not deserved.
• Flip flops are taking me to my breaking point. Words cannot express how angry they make me.
• Many states have shut down their rest stops due to budget constraints. This is inconvenient and at times, uncomfortable.
• Podcasts are a road trip dream. TED Talks, ESPN's BS Report, and BBC's In Our Time have entertained and educated me for many hours along the way.
• Did I mention that the gas station breakfast burrito is a bad idea???