Hopefully you read the first installment about our B&M Racer Appreciation
event and the exciting event at Cedar Falls Raceway. Well we had
two days to get things ready for the two weeks we would be gone
this time. Barb did a great job getting the motorhome restocked
and cleaned up and I did basic maintenance to "Project 4-Link" and
cleaned up the old trailer. We were ready to roll out of beautiful
downtown Janesville, IA about 5 p.m. I stopped by the local Kwik
Star mini-mart to get fuel and I got a "case of racer-math". I looked
at the pumps and gas was "only" $1.29. Last summer when we raced
in Wisconsin we paid $2.07 per gallon! I was saving almost $.80
per gallon, that means $50.00 per tank of fuel. WOW! I was saving
so much money that "racer-math" told me this made entry fees "free"
because of the money I was saving. I mentioned it to barb and she
had to wondering if I had taken too much of my medication!
Now the interesting and frustrating part of every trip we make...
highways in terrible condition. I just can’t figure out where all
the highway fuel tax money goes. The approaches to bridges almost
launch the motorhome and trailer. Sections of the highways are so
wavy we have to slow down to 50 m.p.h. because the rig gets to "bouncing"
so much it makes me think we could tear the hitch off. As we travel
down the Interstate we see all sorts of new highways being built.
WHY? They can’t even maintain the ones they have! I have to say
that I think the highways are falling into the same poor state of
condition that our area schools did. The state governments can get
money from the Federal government to build "new roads" but not to
"fix the existing ones". Another example where more government is
always worse for the people. I always thought our elected government
officials were our employees, see how naive I am. I have come to
this conclusion though, our tax money is being totally wasted and
it seems there isn’t anything we can do about it. Personally I think
this whole deal sucks! There, that’s my government dribble but I
get so frustrated driving down the roads of the greatest country
in the world and they are so rough and worn out it almost makes
me sick. Hard working people use these roads and they are neglected.
At the same time the government pours money into more welfare and
subsidy programs. They also condemn more and more farmland so they
can build more highways they aren’t capable of taking care of. It
is a sad situation, if you have any ideas on what we can do let
me know.
Our trip started on I-80 in Iowa. It had been worked on extensively
in the last few years and was in pretty good shape. Every time I
use the Interstate though, I am surprised how many tractor-trailer
rigs are on the road. When we crossed the Mississippi into Illinois
it was not necessary to have a "Welcome to Illinois" sign. The immediate
bouncing and vibrations told me we had left Iowa. After three or
four hours of bouncing down the road on what I thought had to be
the worst roads ever we entered Indiana and then Michigan. I WAS
WRONG. Illinois was bad but it didn’t hold a candle to the horrible
U.S. Highway 131 in Michigan. They must have piled about 700 tons
of "cold patch" into the cracks and all it did was make lumps and
dips for 150 miles. I was ready to hook tie down straps on the dash
and anything of value in the motorhome. NEVER have I been bounced
around more for such a long period of time. Nice job Michigan DOT,
really doing a "great job" earning your money. NOT!!!!!!
