On the Road Again - Winsome Wisdom by Steve Chappell

The precedeing 30 years often found your humble correspondent in a virtual deja vu existence. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, on the road and back again. Much of my career was spent either in meeting rooms, and conference centers, or getting there in sedans, SUV's, vans, taxis, buses, and airplanes. All in all, to and from hundreds of utilities in 43 states. Unfortunately, Hawaii wasn't one of them.

Now that I am retired for the past several years, the farthest I've been from my home in the Chattanooga area is Nashville for the TMEPA annual meeting several years back. Otherwise, to visit friends in Cleveland. That's Tennessee, not Ohio... although I've been there as well.

Last week, Linda and I rented a car and headed west to Shawnee, Kansas, to visit her son and his family. We discussed taking a flight from Nashville to Kansas City, but given current societal conditions, we opted to travel by car.  

The drive from Chattanooga to Kansas City was eventful to say the least. A grinding sound coming from the engine compartment in the rental car added hours to our journey thanks to no help from the rental agency's customer service toll free number. I'll spare you the details, only to inform you that I shall rent any future transportation from a different company... one that will actually help you if you have a problem, and not named for a starship.

Once safely in Kansas City, we enjoyed the company of family, which includes an extremely intelligent and animated 2 year old. First day's activities included a 12 mile drive from Kansas City to Lawrence, home of former senator Bob Dole, to see the acres of sunflowers. Unfortunately, a blight had marred their beauty.

Next day was better. We took the Kansas Turnpike to Topeka to visit the zoo, and despite the Columbus Day crowds, I delighted in watching little Greyson's reaction to all the animals. The only downside was having to drag him away from the Orangutans. And I suspect most of you know how 2 year olds express their displeasure.

Finally, it was back to Chattanooga. This time, the trip was uneventful. No strange car noises, no heavy traffic, and no severe weather. After thirteen hours on the road, the ride up Signal Mountain was a fitting finale.  

And though we're not in Kansas anymore, and once again miss the kids, it's easy to agree with the magic spell cast by Glenda the Good Witch on Dorothy and Toto when she says... "click your heels three times and think ' there's no place like home." None indeed!