I've been driving for a really long time (don't ask and I wouldn't tell anyway). I'm generally pretty good with directions, don't often get lost, and am woman enough to admit when I have no idea where the heck I'm going. A couple of weeks ago, my driving skills were challenged by none other than my beloved husband.
We (well, I) had to take my grandson to Reagan National for a flight home. This coincided with something my beloved wanted to do in Fredericksburg, VA; thus, we decided to drive separately with me following him. Now riding with my husband is not for the faint of heart. Not that he's a BAD driver...not at all. He tends, however, to drive the speed limit (or even a mile or 2 below) even when he is being passed like he's standing still. Now there's nothing wrong, really, with obeying the law (except when it doesn't suit him, like when riding a bike, but that's a story for a different day). However, when you're on the interstate in Virginia you take your life into your hands if you don't travel at LEAST 10mph over the limit. Therefore, following him is a challenge.
To make matters worse, I couldn't exactly put our address into Google maps and drive on my merry way. Nope. If I wanted to follow him (since I'm not familiar with the region and he is), I had to stay behind him because he might change his mind and take a different route with little to no warning.
We're on our merry way, and getting out of Virginia Beach is relatively smooth sailing. That's where things got a bit challenging--and I would have cheerfully ripped his head off. He apparently looked at Google and decided I-95 was not the route to take (which didn't surprise me) and decided instead to take state roads. That's fine, they're much prettier, and less treacherous.
By my calculation, we were a little more than half-way to our destination and for no apparent reason he decides to speed up a bit. HE made through a series of red lights. I wasn't so lucky. By the time I cleared the lights, he was long gone. Like out of sight long gone. Does he pull over and wait for me? Oh heck no. He keeps going. (Who does that when you know you have someone following you????)
At the next red light, I finally pulled up Google maps and put in the address. It's a fairly straight shot to where we're going so I'm not concerned at this point. Then I look at the "Find My" app on my iPhone, and I see they've stopped at a Lowes up ahead on the right. (Lowes, are you kidding me? What, did you think your brother needed a furnace filter at the last minute, or what??). I never saw the Lowe's. I kept going.
I also missed my last chance to get something to drink, and to take a "rest". By now, I'm more than a little pissed off and I leave them in the dust. I speed up, make it to the destination, greet the family, and then "rest" after pleading for someone to order a Diet Coke for me. Not long after that, in walks my beloved and my grandson, grinning from ear to ear. I scowl. Let's just leave it at that; it wasn't pretty. I was not happy. Luckily the rest of the time spent with the fam was a blast, and after a bit grandson and I headed on to the airport.
I hate driving in the DC area. There is no redeeming quality to it at all. After missing 2 turns on the airport grounds, we find parking, and I get Jay to his gate. Then it's time to drive home to VB. Getting out of DC and onto I-95 (via I don't know HOW many other interstates--at least 2?) left me white knuckled and hyper-ventilating. I finally was able to find a McDonald's and get another Diet Coke for the remainder of the trip. And blessedly, I FINALLY got out of the horrific traffic. I swear on a stack of Bibles, Torahs, and any other holy book, I will NEVER EVER EVER drive in the DC metro area again. Nope. Can't make me do it.
