The Drive In

My drive is a little more elongated than it used to be, and it's a whole lot more frustrating. Here's how it goes:

Dan leaves the house at around 6:10 or so and drives down the neighborhood road (speed limit 25) onto the long road that goes out to the highway. The speed limit on the long road to the highway is 30, even though it's mostly 4 lanes and goes through nothing but businesses all the way. The speed limit should be 40 at least, but Alvin can't make any money on it if the speed limit is 40, so there you go. On this road, there are not one, not two, but THREE unecessary stop signs, two traffic lights that really aren't necessary (one of which changes on a timer and NOT an "underneath the pavement" pressure switch like most of the lights that have been installed since 1962), and a light that probably is necessary, but is green just long enough to allow about 2 1/2 cars through before it goes yellow! Such being the case, a drive of 3 miles that should take about 5 minutes usually goes at least 15 on a good day and more like 35 on most days (just kidding! My darling bride is giving me a hard time for hating on Alvin, but it's a nice place if you can ever get off of South St!) Not kidding now; it takes twice as long as it should, but I'm going to try and see the bright side here. I must be getting 45 MPG while driving 30 on the road that should be 40. From the long road, I have to take a short jont onto a freeway of sorts, which isn't too bad; the speed limit is 55 and it's 4 lanes that are divided, so no real road blocks there. The next is the worst. From there, I turn onto an FM (Farm to Market) that is only two lanes along some stretches and three (a middle turn lane) for most of it. The speed limit is 60 for most of the way, but it always seems like I find a way to get behind someone who's confused by this; either they think that there's a school zone in force, or they think that "60" is not the miles per hour that they are allowed to travel, but the upper limit of engine RPM they are permitted. I can't tell you how many times I find myself saying, "FEEL AROUND ON THE FLOORBOARD!!! IT'S THE TALL SKINNY PEDAL ON THE RIGHT!!! Passing is permitted along the two-lane stretches (if there was ever an opening!), but NOT permitted when the road goes to three lanes, which is the majority of the road. Some folks seem to think that double-yellow stripes are merely a suggestion; they pass in the turn lane regardless. One day, there is going to to a HORRIFIC accident on this road as some ignorant, blind, or stupid person tries to pass in the turn lane and rear-ends someone who is using it for its intended purpose; to make a left-hand turn without disrupting the flow of traffic! Honestly, as frustrated as I get following somone doing 35 in the 60 mph stretch, I don't think I'll ever fall far enough behind in my busy schedule to kill someone else with my lack of patience.

Once I get off the FM, I turn onto the Interstate and head north. Usually, the Interstate runs pretty well, at least until you get on into town a bit. Right about where the Clear Lake traffic enters, all three lanes just basically shut down. Now, here's something I've never fully understood; how on earth can the traffic just STOP when there's no visible obstruction or other obstacle to prevent it from continuing?! It amazes me! I've got it figured out, though. Right after the Nasa Rd 1 debacle (they're putting in some sort of fly-over bridge to Nasa 1 to soothe the congestion there...), the traffic in the fast lane just magically stops (no reason, mind you; it just stops), so you have to move from the fast lane to the far right-hand lane and then back to the middle when you approach the entrance for the Clear Lake City Blvd entrance ramp - it's the only way to keep moving.

The drive typically takes about 45 to 50 minutes - that long if no one does anything ignorant AND if it's not raining. You know, it never rains here, so no one here knows hows to drive in it without shutting everything down and CRAWLING!!!

Oh well, thank the Lord for safe trips and for keeping me sane in less than optimal conditions! - Dan