Joy of driving! How carefree I feel as I head out on a 1200 mile journey. I spent the past several days cleaning up loose ends in my busy schedule. What a relief to know that if any problems came up, they would be out of my jurisdiction for at least the next ten days.

Smog caused by automobile exhaust is not a pretty sight and the health hazards from the released chemicals does not bode well for our bodies. But I hope never to give up my car and so I can't escape my role in the degradation of the environment.

There must be cleaner energy sources than petroleum. Until I can get lawmakers to encourage research toward that goal as well as putting greater restrictions on emissions, I'll keep on driving and relaxing behind the wheel.