Without towing a trailer, I drive pretty fast. I’m mostly in the left hand lane going at least ten over, pushing cars out of the way and always watching for a state trooper around the next corner.
When towing the trailer, I’m much slower, for many reasons, but for one awesome reason.
I no longer have any reason to hurry. Rarely is there anywhere at anytime that I’m obliged to be.
These days, I’m typically cruising in the right hand lane going at least five below the posted speed limit. I let everyone pass me. Even school buses pass me.
My mentality, just like I had on my bike trip across America, is that if I get in the way of every single person in America just once, then I’m OK with that.
The big but logical difference that I’m getting used to with slow driving is that it always takes us so long to get places.
When taking a trip without a trailer, when I look up directions on Google Maps and see a travel time of 3 hours, I always figured I could make it in 2:45 because Google’s calculation presumes I’m traveling the speed limit.
Now, when I see a three-hour drive on Google Maps, I set aside four hours for slow driving, rest breaks, and gas stops.
While I can’t stand slow drivers when I’m in a hurry driving to work or the beach, I’ll admit that so far on the trip, it’s pretty nice to cruise in the slow lane.
Fewer lane changes, less braking, and overall less stress.
So if you see a beat up vintage Airstream flying an American flag in the slow lane, pass and honk to wave hello or give me the finger.
Either way, I’ll smile and wave back.
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