No offense to the people of Idaho who probably find their state interesting, but I haven’t been this glad for a 75 mph speed limit on the interstate since Illinois.
We did see some nice scenery from the interstate and the guidebooks mention numerous attractions, but none pulled us. We settled for miles of flat fields with these peculiar hills in the background.
Partly we were watching the potential for thunder storms ahead of us which failed to materialize as of this writing.
Instead of describing our trip across yet another farming state, I will share some things I have learned in my first twelve days on the road.
1) If you are diabetic and allergic to sugar alcohols, read the labels on sugar free products or bring lots of clean underwear and plan on stopping a lot. Caffeine and chocolate have similar effects.
2) Never underestimate the power of hours of inactivity to dull the brain and weaken the body.
3) Hotels with fitness centers are your friends. Get moving right after check in, before a nap or meal.
4) Don’t bring too many clothes. You are never far from a laundromat or a Walmart
5) The most economical place for a nutritious meal appears to be Walmart or Subway, which sometimes are the same place
6) It is better to visit local attractions mid way between hotels. The ones at the destination seem to much trouble after a day of traveling.
7) If a guide book says “you must visit X” most people will. You shouldn’t.
8) Despite what you may have heard, it really is one country with slightly different flavors.
9) If you can afford it, sleep in a hotel that is nicer than your home. It stops you from asking why you left your nice comfortable bed to explore the country.
10) The vast majority of people in this country are very nice. The reason that they seem to be nicer as you go west may be that you don’t know them well and they don't know you.
Tomorrow we cross into Oregon, home of Elizabeth Lyon, book doctor extraordinaire and author of six bestselling books on how to write. I'm sure it is a coincidence that she left town to do a writing clinic for writers in Homer, Alaska.
We promise to give Oregon a chance tomorrow (How can you not love the state that has Crater lake and Klamath Falls which has no falls?).
Till later.
2 comments:
Just don't spend too much time looking for the falls at Klamath Falls.
I loved your "10 Rules" . From what I can tell, they are accurate. Maybe you can turn them into a magazine article! ---- Rita, from the Writer's group
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