Funny thing this morning, and I'm sure many of us have had even more memorable experiences...but, I found myself laughing at the 20mile trip to the grocery store down the road at 7am on a rainy Sunday morning.... whats up???

Driving Moe is so much fun (especially now that he's "broke") I had to find the "long way" home as it were. I really only needed some corn muffin mix.... took me more than an hour and it was less than 5mins in the store, another 2mins at Starbucks!

Share your "long way home" stories... those stories not about creating reasons to go out but those where you've got a legit excuse but somehow find the long way around with out actually doing anything else!

 

Not sure if this qualifies...it's kinda backwards...but my commute some time back changed to where I can take a fairly local train to downtown. Thing is, the route to the train station is twisty and rural...absolutely perfect for motoring in a MINI!! Now, I often think about moving closer to the train station...or even across the street where I could walk to the train. But no...I like that drive too much!!!

Same with my favorite restaurant around here...I go there all the time!! There is a direct route, yes...but I never take it for two reasons: the neighborhood I motor through is much more scenic/restful, and I can better scope out my selection MINIlicious parking spots to rest my MINI while I dine. Some spots even have great scenery (aka a place where I can sit and stare at my car the whole time).

So for me it's become a bit of a habit since I got my MINI 1/03. Not spontaneous perhaps, but at one time it was...now it's just "refined living!!!" Ya'd have thought I'd have gotten over all this by now...but no.

 

This is going to take a while.

I was living in Texas at the time.... I bought my new MINI in Ohio.

The idea was to go get it, drive to Chicago for Thanksgiving, head to Detroit to see my most favorite MINI tuner and head home.

It turned into thousands of miles....

The trip HOME (I moved along the way haha)

Fly Texas-Ohio.
Pick up Catherine! (HB/HB version)
(drive)
Mentor, Ohio to Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI
(get in accident.)
Detroit to Knoxville, TN (hit up the Dragon with Battle Cattle while I'm there... in a MINI that no longer exists. moment of silence for Lucy!)
Knoxville- Little Rock, Arkansas.
Little Rock to Tucumcari, NM.
Tucumcari to Scottsdale, Arizona.
(YAY Tüls and Stoopid!)
Leave car in AZ.
Fly around the country.... AZ-TX, TX-MI, MI-TX, TX-WA, WA-CA, CA-MI, MI-AZ)
Arrive back in Arizona.
Pick up Jenna (Hyper PINK version)
Motor to NM (I cant remember the city.)
NM-Denton, TX (get all my worldly belongings.)
Denton TX to St. Louis, MI
St. Louis back to Detroit.

I've lost count of how many miles that was. Ohio-Arizona was around 3200.

Does this count? haha

 

Ms Queen.. Oh my gosh does that ever count... what a trip... kinda like one of my dreams... I'd love to just get up and go and return whenever....

gokartrie... thats exactly what I'm talking about, there is no such thing as a direct route anymore. I love that you won't move closer! Its good to know the feeling doesn't wear off!

I really, REALLY love driving... putting the MINI in the mix has been a treat!

 

Okay the Queen wins. Wow. Nice trip. (from AZ myssef)

My favorite is the last 20 miles (close to home) of my daily commute . In my Pre-MC days (I have seen the light) I used to take I -66 to about 9 miles from home - me and my Saturn. But . . .

. . . There is a route that gets me off the interstate sooner.
Twenty miles of winding northern Virginia country roads, 3 vineyards, several farms, miles of old rock walls, rivers, cows - even a small herd of longhorns. The speed limit is 45 or under most of the way, some nice twisties, there are several 20 mph turns ( bbwwahhahahaha), one small town drops it to 25 mph through their "intersection". Have to be careful though, deer too numerous not to mention (they so want to jump out in front of you) I saw three foxes this morning, and have seen a pair of bald eagles, bear, and well as a healthy skunk, racoon, rabbit, possum population , speed is not the thing though for me (on this road) - its the ride.

Here's the thing - this is about 40 miles from the DC metro area, its on my way to and from work. I have to drive it, heck I'd drive it for fun. I consider it my duty.
Stress meter = zip.

I almost feel . . . guilty . . .

almost .