Back from a cross country trip.

My blog posts are almost exclusively technical related, but I thought I would share a little about my cross country - Las Vegas to Orlando - trip helping drive two large Penske trucks that were also towing cars behind.  It was good to get our daughter and her husband back to Florida where we will be able to visit more often.

Expectations

Despite having taken the trip in the opposite direction just over two years before, I told myself that it would be an opportunity to get some work done when not driving and reflect on my life.  I was looking to come away a better person and get caught up on things.

Reality

Looking down at a computer or iphone for too long while in a bouncing truck cab can make you want to vomit.  It is also too noisy to do any sort of normal communication.  Once I gave up on the idea of real work, my driving partner and I had many deep and serious conversations over the three days.  After raising my voice to talk for three days, my voice sounds like 'Mr. Ed'... the talking horse.  (Is that dating me?)

On a technical note, I have been a strong advocate of using the free GPS application called "WAZE" for all of my travels.  Excellent application that is now owned by Google and will likely merge its features with Google Maps.  Unfortunately, the ETAs (estimated time of arrival) estimates are based on the posted speed limits... not the top speed of a Penske rental truck which is 70 MPH... on a slight downgrade... with a wind at your back... on good roads.  You get the idea.  Going up any real hill can drop you to 35 MPH.  I have a lot more sympathy for truckers.  When they talk about 'putting your foot down,' that is literally how you drive.  We found that pushing harder on a gas peddle that is already 'floored' and leaning forward only makes it feel like you are going faster. 

Reality Check

Although this is more like a Facebook post, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to make sure those on other platforms understood that this blog and website existed.  The MKQuilts.com website is the central information point for MK Quilts.  Facebook and YouTube are tools that we use, but we can not control them.  There are increasing reports of automatic computer programs (bots) censoring and shutting down people and business sites that violate some social standard.  I am concerned that one of the statements of faith that MK and I may make will lead to these bots or a basement activist shut down our Facebook or YouTube sites.

We ask that you bookmark our mkquilts.com website and stay registered for our Newsletter.  And we thank all of you that have supported our efforts to support your passion of Quilting.  I want to thank all of you that have kept us in your prayers.  My trip was difficult, but we had many blessings along the way.  Now I need to get back to work and get the next MK training video completed so that we can provide you helpful information and you can provide us your financial support in return.