And here we are at the end of the journey to Atlanta via Raleigh and Harpers Ferry and then back again to Stamford. My car delivered safely, but with a bit of road grime and no chance to give it some TLC.

Just a couple days in Atlanta already had us back in Atlanta-traffic mode. I think almost everyone agrees that Atlanta driving is bad. My pet notion is that so many people moved into the area over the past three decades; all these driving styles from all parts of the US and abroad are jammed onto the same roads. Add to that, you can’t get anywhere without a car. Well, something had to give and that was people’s patience and cordiality.

In New York, there’s the five-point-turn instead of going around the block. In Atlanta, everyone’s a roadrunner and you’re the coyote.

It was awesome to see Mimi (Daria’s mom) and get a THIRD birthday cake. I’m of the firm belief that there’s no finer breakfast than birthday cake and coffee. Grey and I (who I’ve known for longer than any non-relation – we may as well be brothers) stopped in at a local watering hole to catch up – and picked-up the conversation exactly where we left off: past girls; stupid things we’ve done; present pressing matters; and, future possibilities. With a heavy dash of philosophizing.

It really was a whirlwind, and we’ll be back in a couple weeks on the way to Savannah.