The Beginning Of A Road Trip, The Journey To NYC, New Jersey, Visiting Family, And Lots Of Gridlock.

Here’s the revised version with all em dashes removed and replaced naturally with commas.

Road Trip Journal, Part 1

Day 1, 05/12

Today I left Tallahassee and headed north toward New York City. The original plan was simple, drive to Fredericksburg, Virginia, spend the night, then head to Woodbridge, New Jersey the next day to pick up my brand-new car.

Of course, life immediately decided to make things interesting.

Somewhere along the drive, a rock flew up and chipped my windshield. Just a tiny chip, the kind that stares at you the entire drive saying, “I’m about to become expensive.”

Then, about an hour later, I got a call from the dealership. Apparently, the car I had financing approved for, already put a deposit on, and signed paperwork for had somehow been sold while the salesman was off for a couple of days.

Uh huh. Sure.

I’m guessing somebody walked in waving extra cash around like they were bidding on a Picasso painting. Anyway, after that nonsense, I decided maybe it was a sign to just keep my current car a little longer.

Honestly, after surviving New Jersey traffic later in the week, maybe my car deserves a medal anyway.

I finally made it to Fredericksburg and got a good night’s sleep.

Day 2, 05/13

I arrived in New York City and spent the day with my sister and brother-in-law. We went out to dinner, caught up, laughed a lot, and had one of those conversations where you suddenly realize three hours disappeared.

Later that night, I stayed up watching Survivor, because priorities matter. 😎

And somehow, after 50 seasons, they still manage to surprise me. At this point, Jeff Probst probably has hidden immunity idols buried in my backyard.

Day 3, 05/14

Today started with an oil change, tire rotation, and car wash.

Not exactly what I expected to be doing this week considering I thought I’d be driving home in a new car. 😎

Instead, my current car got the spa treatment it apparently earned by surviving betrayal at the dealership.

Later, I spent the day with my other sister and had dinner at Oriental Plaza, which I always enjoy. Great food, lots of talking, relaxing, and at one point I accidentally took one of those “I’m just resting my eyes” naps that somehow lasts an hour.

Afterward, I went back to my sister’s house, relaxed some more, watched a little TV, and talked with my niece.

Overall, a very low-stress New York kind of day, minus the traffic, the parking, and the possibility of paying $42 for a bottle of water.

Day 4, 05/15

Today I drove from Staten Island to Alpine, New Jersey to visit the Montammy Golf Club. We were meeting at 1:00 p.m., so naturally I left at 11:00 a.m. to drive, 38 miles.

And it still took an hour and a half.

I’m convinced New York/New Jersey traffic isn’t measured in miles, it’s measured in emotional damage.

I met up with my good friends Craig and Jeff for lunch, and afterward Craig gave us a full tour of the club. The place was incredible, tennis courts, pickleball courts, gym, beautiful locker rooms, card rooms, restaurants, snack areas at the turn, and of course an amazing golf course.

There were caddies everywhere, and honestly I felt underdressed just breathing the air there.

The practice facilities alone looked nicer than some neighborhoods.

The drive back also took about an hour and a half, but for some reason it didn’t feel quite as painful. Maybe because by then I had emotionally accepted my fate on the Staten Island Expressway.

Back at the house, I spent the evening with my sister and brother-in-law watching the Yankees beat the crosstown Mets, one of my favorite hobbies.

Tomorrow is the baptism of my grand-nephew, which is the real reason for this trip.