Unexpectedly, YFE is back in Bowie/Annapolis, MD, less than a week following my return from the last trip. With my brother and sister, we’re working our way through the sad duties that befall all families eventually. Right now, the planned return date to St Louis is Wednesday.

Couple of comments on local driving/cars to follow up earlier commentary, could prove useful to anyone from the midwest (or elsewhere) who comes out this way:

1) Again, the local drivers treat the major highways as speedways, invariably driving well in excess of the posted speed limit. US 301, which runs through Bowie south to the Potomac and Dahlgren, VA, is a great example of the requirement to merge very quickly and do the same speed the traffic’s doing; in that sense, driving around here reminds me of driving in Puget Sound (and oh BTW, if the posted limit is 60, I guarantee you’ll have to do 65-70 to stay up with the pack…and you’ll still get passed regularly).

2) Tailgating (‘drafting”) here is epidemic, more common than what I’ve seen in other parts of the country. Again, usually done at high speed with the requisite quick, unsignaled lane changes as people jockey for position. Doesn’t matter if you’re very obviously following a semi at somewhere north of the posted limit, you’ll still get people close aboard on your six.

As for LBCs this visit, one particular standout: at Eurosport Auto Repair on MD 214/W Central Ave, east of Bowie on the way to Annapolis, a Range Rover…with Cadillac egg crate grill installed in the front end, complete with Cadillac logo. Amazing, simply amazing…not sure what statement the owner was making here…

Having said all of the above – and despite the circumstances of the visit – driving hereabouts has its positive elements. See the next post.