Drive to Tampa

I woke later than I intended to because my sunshine alarm didn’t fully illuminate the guest room until around 7:20 AM EST. No matter; I still had plenty of time. I tore apart the Cobalt, organized, packed and after a Tampa Interstate orientation complements Herb, I departed for the airport. I made pretty good time to the airport would almost make the 10:50 AM rental car return.

I just had one problem, I needed a gas station and the preferred route to the airport provided few. Hoping I’d find one within the airport complex I crossed my fingers and turned in. I scoured the airport. I couldn’t believe it had a post office but no gas station. Twice defeated, I left and drove on a not-so-promising road in an area with retail stores, a mall, and no signs of gas. A couple miles away, I filled up at a VP and returned to the airport.

The car rental check-in surprised me. I pulled up behind the car in front of me and immediately had my car ok’ed before I even had time to collect everything. Shoulders heavy with baggage, I hobbled toward baggage check-in. After checking my bags, I fed my face an array of leftover foods.

Security seems more tedious each time. I had to show my boarding pass and ID five times as I droned along. Tampa has a new toy, a plastic bay with automatic doors. Each of us stood one by one inside on the painted footsteps and were assaulted by multiple air blast. Then a short silence pursued as the machine literally checks you out and the bay doors part and a green light urges you ahead. GE makes the machine. I later found out that it sniffed for drugs and explosives.

The flight home and layover went as quick as it could reading Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang. I’d almost finished when I deplaned in Indy. Driving around 465 I noted the time and thought how nice it’d be to see Kyle and Erin.

My first attempt to call brought about a strange occurrence. As I heard his phone ring, I heard a ringing in my car. He picked up but I heard him as if he stood a great distance away and we were disconnected. Experiences like this usually mean I’ve interrupted either sex, sleep, or work. I assumed work and dialed no more.

He called back and I soon exited onto Allisonville road. Kyle and Erin had prepared pot roast, fried cabbage, and something else. We all ate well and discussed our vacations. Kyle and Erin had not long before returned from the Bahamas. I probably slightly overstayed my welcome but I had a good time.