One Rest Area at a Time

"It was a grand adventure."

"I learned I can't really sleep in motels."

"Just seeing everything - it was a wonder."

"I learned that riding shotgun is a stressful experience."

Annie looked up and sighed. She and Elnora had big ideas - yearly trips - now carefully tiptoed around. Annie loved to travel. Who knew? She didn't like to drive. She had to buy a new car in route. They got lost multiple times - although she didn't get lost once driving back - well, unless you count the time she ended up at the wrong motel and finally found the right one when she ignored GPS. She loved it, one rest area at a time. She didn't even mind McDonald's - with its cheap, scarcely edible food because it had free WiFi - and she adored Waffle Houses - which she'd transplant to Los Angeles in a heartbeat if she could do it.

Elnora voiced appreciation for the adventure, but it was full of yes, buts, and Annie had the distinct impression that her friend really didn't like road trips. It was, all in all, less stressful not to worry that your compatriot was having a good time and she strongly suspected it was stressful as well to want to appear as if one was having a good time when one was tired and bored and not so fond of endless hours on the road.

Annie wondered though how much it would take for her to just up and go off on her own. She suspected that the answer to that was that some days it would not take much at all.