Wow! Is it Tuesday already?

I figured I'd wait 'til today to drop in a new note, so I could update my trip mileage too, as I rolled into Murray, Utah (just south of Salt Lake City) this afternoon. We're looking at around 3200 miles since I picked the car up on the 11th of August. And still Las Vegas awaits.

Like an idiot, I ran out of gas yesterday. Fortunately, my lovely and beautiful and very intelligent wife takes care of me, even at this great distance. She purchased a membership in the automobile club a few years ago. I don't know that Theresa has ever taken advantage of any of the benefits, but I have used the gas refill twice. (The last time I was driving an Infiniti Q45 somewhere in upstate New York. That's right... I run out of gas all over the country... I am not limited by geography.) In self defense, I found myself engrossed in an audio book, which neared its' climax, so whilst my body drove, my mind listened. Let this be a lesson to you, wheeled travelers.

Speaking of wheeled travelers, as I drove through four states these last two days (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah), there seemed remarkably few state troopers on the loose. Exceptions did exist; near state lines (always favourite haunts (see how I'm appealing to Aussie's and Brit's there?) ) and some aerial officers as well. In Oregon, I noticed a plane flying overhead, well away from any major metropolitan area. I'm thinking aerial surveillance. Sure enough, a couple miles up the road, about 5 troopers had 5 separate offenders contributing to the general fund (or wherever the proceeds go). I couldn't help myself; once clear of the area, I ran the GL450 quickly up to triple digits and a bit beyond, and just as quickly back to cruising speed, just because I knew I could.

Yesterday, when hunger made itself known, a Dairy Queen sign beckoned. We don't have many DQ's in San Diego, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd been. So I pulled in, ordered a burger and a Blizzard. A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard. I didn't know which to eat first. Knowing that I had many miles ahead, I ordered at the drive-thru window, and took them with me. (Typically, I would not eat fast food in someone else's $60,000 car. But I was hungry.) I also added a drink at the window, knowing that ice cream makes me thirsty.

When handed my frozen treat, the server asked if I'd like a lid. "Sure", I replied. And I was amazed. She capped the Blizzard with a tall clear plastic lid with a kind of outward lip on it that, once removed, could be attached to the bottom of the cup, providing an air space between my fingers and the cup, to prevent accelerated meltage, and with said outward lip perfectly placed to catch drips and spills! In fact, when done with my blog entry, I am off to applaud DQ's management team for looking out for my borrowed cars' interior. (By the way, I ate the burger first.)

And today, when I called Theresa, I actually remembered that today marked another milestone in her life, and wished her a happy birthday. One doesn't turn 45 every day! (Sure... chronologically, she might be 43... but...) Her calender called for Theresa and the kids to dine with her parents this evening. I'm sure they will treat her well and with the care necessary for the aging...