Catching Up

17 March
I'm a little behind in getting this post up, so 'catching up' seems an appropriate title. The weather broke yesterday, and we've been enjoying sunny skies and warm sunshine. Pennsylvania is a beautiful place when the sun is shining! It was especially nice to have sun for our drive to Pittsburgh. We took the winding road route, mostly to skip traffic and roadworks, but also to better enjoy the capabilities of our spiffy new car.
I am still extremely annoyed by American speed limits. Perhaps I am channeling all of my re-entry angst into being annoyed at America's dumb speed limits. Today I drove for miles and miles along a wide country road with a 25 mph limit, and then got to the really built-up area with tons of red lights and cross traffic, and the speed limit immediately increased to 40. Dumb.
We've been enjoying opportunities to catch up face-to-face with old friends. I'll be very surprised if Johnstown, PA does not at some point produce some more Alongsiders. I've enjoyed introducing a couple of folks to the joys of BBC America - specifically, 'Top Gear' and 'Doctor Who.'
Tomorrow we're looking forward to spending the day with my niece. Babysitting seems a small price to pay for free lodging! Hopefully it will be easier than bailing out the basement (which, by the way, dried out pretty quick, and we have been able to enjoy the blessings of the tumble dryer).
Andrew