It is 5am in Albuquerque, NM.  With 13 hours to go to Los Angeles, this should be my last stay in a $50 motel room for awhile.  Nothing is more comforting than the word home right now.

Yesterday was an entirely different adventure. My red sled (red rental car) and I parted ways.  It did the best it could, yet when the service lights came on in the dash, I had about all I could take.  I had tried to exchange the car from the beginning due to electrical and steering issues.  After a call to Hertz, they routed me to Oklahoma City Airport to exchange the car. I was about 90 miles outside of the city when I made the call.  Anxious to get there, I took some extra liberties with speed. Out of nowhere, I saw flashing lights. I was pulled over by an Oklahoma police car that barely looked like a police car, almost a matte black. I reached for my driver’s license and insurance information to hand the officer.  He then asked me to turn off the car, get out of it, lock it and come with him. OMG!! This seems very strange. I could not help reflect on stories of “fake cops” and unsuspecting single female drivers. I took my time getting out of the car. I had to put my boots and coat on. I made sure to conceal my chosen means of security in my coat pocket. I put my cell phone in the other pocket and got out of the car. He was now sitting in his car. He motioned me to the seat next to him and asked me to shut the door.  I would not shut the door entirely. I positioned myself in the car so  I would be ready to jump out if needed.

He told me he clocked me at 80. (The speed limit was 70) He then proceeded to try to engage me in small talk. “Where have you been, where are you going, where are you from, what were you doing there?” he asked me. If the circumstances were difference, I would have been glad to share more but I honestly was a little scared.  I answered his questions as if they were yes or no questions with quick one word answers. He let me off with a warning; I thanked him and got out of the car. Scared to death, I did slow down as I drove to the airport.

Now I wonder….Was that normal procedure and/or really necessary? And if it was not, what caused him to ask me to join him in the car? I highly doubt he was expecting trouble from me.  What kind of hard criminal could I be?  I was traveling with a dog in basket who is wearing a sweater!!! I really could have gone my entire life without seeing the insides of a police car. I felt pretty violated by the whole experience.  Now looking back, I wish I would have asked the officer some questions first before getting in the car. What a missed opportunity for a photo!

I exchanged the sled for a 2011 white Chevy Malibu. This car is really nice. Sturdy, stylish with luxury features. (Seat warmers are so nice!)  The Michigander in me is glad to know Chevy is trying. One area for improvement though; tone down the outdated logo. The big gold logo on the steering wheel is an eyesore and sometimes is a glaring distraction. It would have been so much better to see a blind embossed logo matching the black of the steering wheel.

One PSA, I can’t resist sharing: To the men who worked for Hertz at the Oklahoma Airport who stood by and watched me struggle to lift luggage and reload the car…shame on you. Please acquaint yourself with the concept of chivalry.

Just to give them a show, I took my sweet time writing with a glass marker on the back window and applying a new bumper sticker. The manager was visibly uncomfortable with my actions but what could he say? I wrote “Prayers for Tucson” and my blog address. How do you discipline a thoughtful rebel?

Back on the road again, my thoughts remained on Tucson, the social epidemic of isolation and my own isolation. My spirits were and are hopeful that I can inspire awareness and improvements.

I got a couple of honks yesterday. I also had a couple people write me that saw me on the road and read my blog.  This in combination with thoughts and support from friends is very uplifting.

There are 13 hours to go to home. I will continue to take video to edit later this week.  There is so much I would of liked to capture but simply could not do while driving. Oh, how different this trip would have been with a friend to hold the camera.

The thought of crossing the finish line to home brings up the same images I shared and joked about with my mom when I arrived in Michigan. I said, “Where is the red carpet, flowers and a glass of bubbly? I feel good about this journey; some recognition and awards seem perfectly appropriate.   However, I would gladly give up all images of grandeur just to have the arms of someone I love to melt into upon returning home.  Love – Nothing more, nothing less and what it is all about.

To see all posts related to this journey in chronological order, click here.

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