Burned up and burned out

Today was grueling. There is no other word. I got a late start because I wanted to have a visit with a friend this morning before I set out. Then I had to finish packing and cleaning and by that time, the cats had decided to make themselves scare.

I found Ethel quickly, but Lucy was in none of her usual hiding places. Luckily, I was able to narrow down the remaining hiding places and found her. They were not pleased about being in their kennels.

By the time, o got to the camper it was 85 degrees and I’m doing all the booking up in full sun. It’s then I realize the AC in my car is not working. Awesome. I had difficulty hooking up today. I had anticipated an easier time of since the last time I practiced it went quickly. It just goes to show how agree can affect you.

I was finally hooked up and then I realized the new lock I had hoped to use wasn’t going to work. So back to the old one which I think is too flimsy. Then I had a tussle with the breaks. The Bluetooth would not connect until finally I stood with my phone by the back of the car. It is not 98 degrees and I’m in full sun which with my fair skin, is definitely not my jam.

I finally got rolling but my phone had overheated and my gps wouldn’t engage. I had an idea how I wanted to go and I executed well until the last turn I should have made. I ended up slightly off course before I found a gas station where I could pull over, use the restroom, but a cold brew coffee and get the damn phone cooled off.

I’m bracing for the Baltimore/DC beltway which I really detest driving. I’d rather be on the New Jersey turnpike. It’s a straight shot. The beltway always has construction and left exits for which they give you a half mile warning. When pulling a trailer, that is hardly sufficient, but that is exactly what happened when I-70 split off from 695.

And the traffic was constant. I thought it would lighten up when I got on the 695 beltway. Nope. When I got to I70. Nope. After I passed Fredericksburg. Nope. If I had to drive these roads every day, I’d be poking myself in the eye for fun!

I had to pull off for a rest even thought I was within 20 miles of the campground. What are the chances that this is the same exist where I once pulled over to take a work call? I opened the back hatch so the cats could cool off and fueled up since the gas station was not busy.

Thus revived, I made it to the campsite shortly after 5 pm. I had left around 1:30 and it was supposed to be a 2.5 hour drive, but I was going under the speed limit due to the ferocious winds. Especially crossing the Susquehanna River bridge which has a very low guard rail. I didn’t wish to end my time on earth getting swept o we the side and falling hundreds of feet into the river.

The campground is near the civil war battlefield of Antietam, which I plan to explore tomorrow. I put the cats outside for awhile in their kennels while I was cooling off the o side of the trailer. The campground is by a river and it started the temperature has started to drop. Infact, rain is on the way.

It was then, I got the email from my CPA with my estimated tax payments which were way more than I expected and that percipitated a call with my financial advisor to move funds around. Does this day ever stop? And bad planning, I have no alcohol on board, so I’m making a quick liquor run.

I tried something different, a tangerine ale which went down great, but then it had the after taste like artificial sweeteners. Bah. I’m glad I knew well enough to have a back up, and I had bought Broken Heels jazz IPA, which I have had before and it’s quite good.

After a few sips and a call with my good friendS Bud and Sue who were a bit worried about all my pessimistic text today, I decided I better beat feet to the shower before the storm got more serious than a drizzle. That was a good plan because it’s pouring now while I’m trying to play solitaire.

Tomorrow will be a better day.