vacation: day 1

Oddly, my parents were in the state where I live on the day that I left for my vacation in the state where they live. Long story, not too interesting. Once they discovered that I would be heading north on Sunday, they changed their plans. They would leave for home earlier than originally planned, so that they could be there when I arrived. [whatever!]

I went walking with my walkin' buddies at 7:AM (along with their house guest, who did not get the best impression of me, I'm afraid). Although that time of day is inherently unpleasant, it was nice to kick off the trip feeling 'healthy.' I came home afterward, took a shower, and prepared for the drive. I had packed on Saturday evening, so there wasn't much to do on Sunday beyond "stuff." Women will know what I'm talking about - those last-minute items that can't be packed in advance because you need to use them before you can leave. The curling iron. The can of cold Coke. Glasses, in their case. "Stuff."

I got on the road around 9:30, I think. Maybe a little later. Even considering the usual routine, there was a LOT of construction. Traffic was not too bad. A little annoying, but nothing ungodly. Lots of crappy mid-90s American cars stuffed to the gills - I'm assuming it was move-in weekend at lots of Midwestern colleges. Poor suckers. It was sunny and hot but I was comfortable in the car blasting the A/C. I got some calls along the way but couldn't access my voicemail [blasted N#xt#l] until I was stationary.

Once I'd arrived in the old hometown, I had a pretty quiet day. Put on my PJs before dark and plunked down in "my" chair to read Panama Fever. Took a few pictures of the hummingbirds, cardinals, and [yellow] American goldfinches at the feeders on the deck (to follow). Went to bed early and slept late. It was a good trip so far.