Bufford T. Justice Reprised

 

I was up and in my running clothes by 615am. I gave Mindy a hug then headed out for my run. Anita was just getting started too, and going the same direction as me, which was the same path I ran Sunday and Monday. I was a tad disappointed that there were more clouds overhead, especially since the forecast was calling for sunny skies. It was plenty sticky, too. The run went even easier than it did the two days prior. Guess I was getting used to the rolling hills.

With the early start, I was back at the house still ahead of 7am. By then, David was up and had coffee brewing. I took Mindy a cup of coffee shortly thereafter. She pointed out that she didn’t sleep that well and wanted to sleep a while longer. Sure.

David, Anita and I hung out enjoying each other’s company for the next 90 minutes or so. Our plan was to leave for home somewhere close to 11am, though we didn’t have that etched in stone. The clouds finally began to thin near 9am and soon the skies were mostly sunny and steamy. The forecast was calling for a high near 90 and then a sultry 98 by Thursday.

Once Mindy was up and enjoying coffee and scrambled eggs, I headed in for another shower. I wanted to drive home fresh and clean. Was showered and packed for home by 930am. We spent the next 90 minutes tooling around the yard and dock taking in the lake house life style for just a while longer.

Shortly after loading the Accord for home, David suggested we pose for a group photograph from his front porch using a tripod and self-timer. That was fun! Anita presented Mindy with a gift just before we departed – a hand carved wooden abstract from her many trips to Africa. After hugs, a few tears, and promise to do it again soon we left for home.

The drive from the lake house to I-77 was a bit easier this time around. We figured out that Google GPS likes to take a far more complex route. Not entirely sure why. We seemed to be making excellent time. We’d gone about a 100 miles when we stopped at a McDonald’s for lunch. Our first choice was Wendy’s but it was closed for a remodel. We opted to go inside so we could make it a potty break too. We got our order to-go and ate in the car.

No traffic issues until we got into Virginia, and even then the slowdowns for construction were relatively brief. As usual, the flow of traffic was much faster than the posted speed limit, which is 70 mph for at least half the trip. I typically had the cruise control set for 73-74mph. We encountered a couple aggressive drivers, a semi carry heavy equipment and then crazy driver from Minnesota. He was by far the worst, weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. Made into West Virginia and the toll turn pike by midafternoon. I’d like I-77 through West Virginia to a roller coaster. Not too many straightaways. Lots of curves and a posted speed limited of 70 mph. I think it was just before or after the first toll booth when we got pulled over by West Virginia’s finest for speeding. I was only going with the flow and somewhere between 74-77 mph. I was insulted when Bufford T. Justice told me I was going 84 mph. No way in hell! I only shared that that was not true and that I had my cruise set to 74mph. He only said that cruise control doesn’t keep you at that speed. Really? What an ass! I wanted to argue, but also knew it would do no good. I took my lump, though inside I was pissed! He looked like a total redneck just itchin for some action.

After receiving my speeding citation I had no choice but to dial it down and stay within 1 mile mph of the posted speed limit. As we continued towards home through the rest of the West Virginia turnpike, I’m guessing we saw as many as a dozen more cops and most had cars pulled over presumably citing them for speeding as well. I thought I did a good job of letting it go for my own mental good, but after about an hour I began to contemplate the ordeal over and over in my head. It just pisses me off that you have no real recourse.

After another pee break and a stop for gas, we crossed over into Ohio near 6pm. It was apparent we weren’t going to match the 8 hour and 15 minute drive down. The drive across route 35 is gorgeous, and far better than taking 33. The weather looked phenomenal – sunny and 82 degrees. By the time we hit rt 23 I was thinking about suggesting a stop at CBC. Instead, I decided to ask Mindy her plans for picking up the dog. When she shared that she wanted to pick-up the pug on the way home I decided not to bother suggesting a stop at CBC.

We made it to her mom’s place by 745pm. Looked like clouds were moving in from the west just as we exited 270 at Georgesville. It was Gloria’s 79th birthday. We visited with her briefly before heading home with our dog. Mindy made plans to take her mom to lunch the following day as well as a visit to the casino. We finally arrived home around 820pm, and just like we do after most trips, we wasted no time packing and putting everything away. In fact, Mindy had laundry going 20 minutes later. I quickly surveyed the yard.

I sent David & Anita a note thanking them again and sharing that we made it home. Of course, I also shared that I got the speeding ticket, which was the lone downer of the whole trip.

It was difficult to fathom that the four day weekend was already over and the fact that I would be heading back to work the following morning but it was so. We skipped dinner altogether and headed for bed shortly before 10pm.