ROUTINE ROAD TRIP

I drive to Beaverton about three to five times a year. About half the time, I drive alone. The other times, I travel with Debra and Ashley.

This trip is quite routine. I know every rest stop in both directions.

This morning I made the trip again.

Still dark at 6:30 a.m., I back out of our driveway.

Taking the Weathersbys on our annual pumpkin patch and corn maze outing requires cash, which I rarely carry anymore. Before getting onto the freeway, I make a quick stop at the ATM.

Entering I-5.

The morning starts out foggy.

I have a home-away-from-home about every 30 minutes along the I-5 corridor in both directions between Medford and Portland.

Over 200 miles before me.

I am totally focused on the road. Well, as totally focused as a driver can be while holding a steering wheel in one hand and a camera in the other hand and trying to press the power button on the camera and then trying to press the shutter button while also trying to aim the camera at a totally focused driver.

Changing autumn colors adorned the sides of the road.

Although a bit foggy here, Seven Feathers Casino makes a great place to stop if you're interested in increasing your net worth without actually having to work to do so. I have driven by this casino many times, but have never stopped.

A routine road trip usually includes road construction at some point along the way.

Fewer than 200 miles to go.

Part of the routine includes always stopping at Exit 136 when heading north.

Exit 136 ministers to my needs.

Returning to I-5 from Exit 136, I now have a travel companion to keep me company for a few miles.

Another home-away-from-home is in my near future.

As I approach this rest area, I am glad to discover that my stimulus dollars are at work at this "closed" restroom.

We first became acquainted with the Rice Hill exit over three years ago when the Moffits took us to a drive-in restaurant for ice cream on a trip from Portland to Medford.

Only 150 miles remaining.

In Oregon, it isn't really a road trip unless you get behind and then pass at least one logging truck.

Cottage Grove is approximately half way between our house and Beaverton.

Uh oh, running low on gas, but still driving within the speed limit.

Few things satisfy quite like seeing the gas gauge needle on "F".

Leaving the gas station, the pickup in front of me appears to be driven by someone who has an opinion.

Fewer than 100 miles to go.

The 45th parallel is exactly half way between the equator and the north pole. It is also almost all the way to Portland from Medford.

With the Beaverton junction ahead and the traffic thickening, this would be a good time to quit playing with a camera while driving on the freeway.