I have emerged from under the Cone of Silence at my nephew's house. He thinks cable Internet is too expensive and doesn't have a land line.

We spent the last nine days driving from Texas to Virginia to South Carolina and back to Texas. Three thousand miles, 50 hours, and thousands of swear words later, I swear to Jebus that I while I will travel again, while I will return via automobile to visit my family in Virginia, I will do my best to avoid any Interstate highway!

And in case anyone wants to know, it is 631 miles from the Abita Springs Brewpub to my house.