Six hours, three hundred eighty miles, one very large coffee, and a tank and a half of gas later, I find myself at the home of my brother and sister-in-law in Washington, PA.  For reference, Washington is probably about 30 miles south-southwest of Pittsburgh, close to the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.

This is my third trip out here since my first Thanksgiving trip a year ago with three of the four trips being by car.  I flew out here in August to dog/cat/bunny/goldfish watch while my brother and his wife went on their honeymoon.  It’s a pretty safe bet that I’ll never do that again.  From the time I had left my apartment in August to get to the airport, got on the plane, flew here, got my bags, and my brother had driven us back to the house, I’d have arrived by car about the same time.  I’m not even going to talk about the horror show that was my flight back.

Besides, there are so many advantages to driving out here as opposed to flying.  Can you sense another list coming?  I know you can.

1. Departures will not be delayed by anything less than extreme weather.

2. A slight breeze blowing in the wrong direction does not qualify as extreme weather.

3. Instant and accurate baggage claim.

4. May not be able to drink while driving but then the trip doesn’t make me want to drink.

5. Snacks will be served when I so desire.

6. My CD player beats a typically bad in-flight movie on a tiny screen any day of the week and twice on Tuesdays.

7. Immediate departures and arrivals, no waiting on anyone else.

8. One little air vent does not count as climate control.

I’ll be sharing more thoughts about the trip later.  Time to rest up for tonight’s hockey game.  It’s Devils-Penguins at the Igloo with me in the front row.  Here’s hoping the Devils continue with the strong play from Saturday night’s game in Philadephia.

  • Share/Bookmark