OMG did anyone attempt driving anywhere Over the Mountain today

I had to go pick up my laptop from the other side of the earth, Pinson. (normally a 45 min drive)

Coming home, I got to the I-65 South exit on 459. It was dead stopped. I moved 3 car lengths in 15 mins. Partially because of bad traffic but also from all the a$$hats zooming buy in the L & R lanes then forcing their way into the front of the line. Well I said to hell w/this I will get in the R lane, get on 65-N & plan a U-turn at the Hwy 31 exit to get back on southbound. Once on 65-N, I saw 65-S was a parking lot & said Hail naw. So my plan changed to getting off at 31 & drive it to Pelham BUT...the left turn lane of the exit ramp was backed up onto 65 way way way back as far as the eye could see. So I decide to go R (north, away from my house ) on 31 & U-turn at the 1st RL to get going southbound but once on 31, I saw 31 was a parking lot so I said Hail naw. I then remember a back way from the Diplomat Deli on 31 go past Pizitz School & Vestavia HS & end up on Rocky Ridge Road that I used to drive when I was 16. Woohoo was a nice drive & I remembered all the turns. Once I reach Rocky Ridge I decide I need a bottle of tequilla :impatient so I stop at the package store (it was hard not to open the bottle & down it right there but I managed ). Tequilla, check, sour mix, check, having margaritas tonight, check, if I can just FOR THE LOVE OF ALL get home . (& I need to do it whilst avoiding 65 & 31 )

So I go Rocky Ridge Road to Lorna Road, RL at Lorna backed up farther than I have ever seen, quick left detour thru Foodworld parking lot, I knew I could make that RL then down Lorna cut left on Data Drive then the RL on Data Drive is backed up farther than I have ever seen, hmmm I wonder if this L turn goes anywhere, why yes back of shopping center where Hobby Lobby is(old Wal-Mart) & I knew I could make that RL too Sry U 3 cars that started out in front of me & didn't make the RL but you aren't in a MINI now I am forced to get on 31-S, UGH a parking lot, so I go 1/2 mile & cut L on Riverchase Pkwy (hello my office), bye bye Miata swoosh, L on Valleydale, now I am forced to get on 65-S for a mile before I can take the Oak Mtn backroad but wait HUH there isn't a soul on I-65 all the way home.

All this started because there was a wreck just past my Pelham exit & now every other side street known to man is a parking lot while 65 is empty

OK there it is. If you ever need to drive from Pinson to Pelham in 1-1/2 Hours I mapped it out for ya

Oh yeah & I would like to apologize to the cars behind me for all those last minute left-turn decisions I made oops

 

I try not to go near I-65 S from 459 on any day of the week and certainly not on Fridays. I will keep you route handy though in case I ever need to go South.

 

For the love, please don't use my route I think I drove about 35 miles up down & around trying to avoid about 2 miles of I-65 . Oh yeah & I know I drove at least 5 of them with my turn signal on for no reason like somebody's granny

 

At least you were motoring (if you call that motoring) in a MINI and not trapped in an ordinary car or SUV.

 

Oh yeah it would been twice as bad in anything but a Mini