The Trek North

It was six in the morning as I hit the road north and on my way to a very long drive to Cape Cod. Passing through the North Carolina country side traffic was not too bad at that hour and on the roads the would connect me to I-85.

It was not until I reached the Virginia boarder that things got ominous. After the obligatory “welcome to Virginia” sign was the sign that let you know that aircraft was used to enforce speed limits. It was a black sign with white lettering. Aircraft was not there to check or monitor your speed. Oh no, it was to enforce the speed limits. I pictured Blackhawk helicopter hovering just below the tree line ready pounce on any scofflaw that dared to exceed the posted speed limit.

The next signs let you know that Virginia will use radar and other electronic means to monitor your speed. But the next sign lets you know that you do not have the privilege of using a radar detector. In fact Virginia has made it illegal for you to use one.

From I-85 it was on to I-95, the north-south corridor. I headed on to Washington, DC and then on to Maryland. The traffic was congested from there on. The tolls in Maryland are now $5.00 for cars. Of course there is EZPass. It would make transversing toll booths faster, but of course they do monitor your time between tolls and will send you a warning if your time indicates you might have been exceeding the posted speed limits. Maintaining my anonymity is worth the inconvenience.

Delaware fades into the distance and it is on to the New Jersey Turnpike. Gasoline prices have been consistently three dollars plus. Of course with the Evolution I must only use 93 octane. New York and the dreaded Cross Bronx Expressway looms ahead after crossing the George Washington bridge. Connecticut is next. Here they monitor your speed with electronic devices. Everywhere along I-95 until after New Haven they have radar checking traffic flow and reporting to you on informational signs where the slow downs are and for how many miles or exits it will last. Finally I am in eastern Connecticut and heading for New London. Connecticut State troopers are sitting at strategic point in the road scanning all traffic for speed. It gives you a warm feeling to know they care so much. Finally you cross into Rhode Island and I-195 is just 30 miles away. RI is such a small state that you are crossing into Massachusetts before you know it. At first you cross in and out of those two states as their borders are jagged and the highway is straight, but soon you are not far from Fall River and not long after is New Bedford. I-95 ends and you get on 25 to the Bourne bridge being sure to roll down your windows so the smell of the ocean and the pine trees fills your car’s interior. Around the rotary and along the access road that runs north and parallel to the canal. The hills to your right are the diggings from the original construction of the canal, which was dug by hand. Then a quick right at a traffic light and you are on route 6 and headed to Yarmouthport. It is a fourteen hour trip of nearly 800 miles.

I have been looking forward to this for months. I am on the Cape.