Observations While Driving The USA

I just returned to 6860 less than a week ago after driving from Indy to Kansas City, north to South Dakota to Mitchel Corn Palace, Wall Drugs, Mt. Rushmore and Chief Crazy Horse Monuments. After that I drove to Colorado Springs where we spent several days enjoying the Rocky Mountain environs then home.

By the way, it is dry all the way to the Rockies and even there. That little girl from Lemon Creek hard by Worthington, Ind., traveled with me but did no driving. She is the navigator, map reader and observer of all things just as we pass. Our trek totaled over 3k miles and was a delightful journey. Travel is fun when you are with the one you love.

I have some observations about being a traveler, out of towner, blooming idiot driver, you filth and fowl bumpkin and other things. We have driven in most of the contiguous lower 48 states and Hawaii. There are too many rude, obnoxious, self-centered, local drivers all over the country. Yes, even in Indiana. Many locals have little to no respect or patience for out-of-town drivers who get in their way and impede their daily driving routine.

Of course while driving in a new town or territory I often get lost and struggle to find the correct turn, street, road to get to my destination. In that hesitation of time and speed the locals allow themselves to become angry at the doofas from Indiana and vent that rage in various ways. Naturally my pace is too slow as I turn at the last moment and in unusual places. I am not purposefully impeding traffic or trying to cause grief to the locals.

Keep in mind all I am doing is looking for a place to spend some of my money. They don't see it that way. They blow by causing the windows to hum a rag time tune for the next 10 minutes. The fenders on my car flap like the wings on a Canadian goose trying to get airborne from the banks of the mighty White River. The windshield wipers slap against the windshield like a crazed drummer from a rock and roll band. They blow their horns louder and longer than the Wabash Cannonball crossing the high grade above town. They ride my bumper so closely that I want to get a restraining order on them. Then there is the famed one finger wave that has little to do with "Howdy and How Are You Pilgrim."

I must say that a very high percentage of drivers in Indiana and all the other 49 states are considerate, thoughtful, understanding, patient and treat me as they wish to be treated. Of course I don't know what they are saying inside the steel cocoon on wheels.

Vandeventer grew up north of Calvertville on a farm and graduated from Worthington High School and Indiana State University -- four times. He can be reached at Goosecrick@aol.com or (317) 839-7656. Write him at 6860 Sunrise Drive, Plainfield, Ind., 46168. He has written six books.