Why I love the Interstate system

During part of our journey we meandered down the side roads to enjoy a slower relaxed pace.  Yeah, right.  Although it is nice to avoid the Interstates and such there are several advantages to the freeway system.

First, and to me the most important, they have the sources for finding someplace to eat at lunchtime...and with parking spaces that allow us to stop and patronize them.  Little towns are cute, but are not conducive to RV'ers.

Secondly, this seems to be where they put the majority of gas stations, especially those that are large enough to get the RV into.

Thirdly,  you don't need to worry about low bridges and sudden dead end roads.

Fourthly, the roads are generally kept in better repair.  Not always, but as a rule the ride is smoother on the freeway system.  Extremely bumpy roads and potholes wreak havoc with everything jostling along and is hard on the tires that are the foundation of our home.

Fifthly, when you make a wrong turn and the GPS says to make a legal U-turn it's a laugh.  It's not that easy to whip this bad boy into a circle.

Sixthly and last, you get there faster.  You do a lot of stopping and starting going through those little towns. It's not that I don't enjoy the drive...I just have a lesser need for driving five or six hours a day.  In my perfect world we'd leave at about 8:00 and stop for the day about lunch time to be able to get out and walk and enjoy the park we are situated in.  Yup...I was the kid constantly whining "are we there yet?"

All that romantic crap about taking the scenic slow roads is just that...romantic crap.  And don't even get me started on what it is like to be stuck behind a school bus for several miles on this scenic journey.  If you're in a convertible and cruising for the enjoyment of it that's great. If you're in a motorhome and trying to get someplace you can get off the road again safely, it's a whole different scene.

For me it's all about the stopping and staying.  I'd travel for a maximum of four hours (preferably two) a day and when I found a place I liked I'd stay for two weeks or a month.  Of course, sometimes you find yourself someplace you'd rather not be at all, then you don't stay any longer than it takes to eat, sleep and revive yourself and press on.

Think about how exhausting vacations can be with the constant discovery of new places and people.  That's our life. You need to constantly be on the lookout for where you can restock, buy supplies and get hold of paper money for those places that won't accept anything but cash.  It's exciting some of the time and other times it's a grind.

Although we only get our mail once or twice a month it can be a hassle finding a campground that will allow mail delivery.  Most don't want to be bothered with this and I don't blame them.  Then it's a matter of locating the smallest nearby post office and having it sent there....and then remembering to stop and pick it up.

Being on the road as a lifetime takes a lot more forethought, planning and patience, but overall it is a great life and we're glad to have chosen it.

Long Live the Queen of the Road