Back home after a delightful 50th anniversary celebration. But the trip back to Virginia's Eastern Shore from Northern Virginia yesterday was an adventure. Adventure is not the right word. Nightmare is closer.

Started from our daughter's on Sunday about noon. Never thought to check the traffic on Route 50 and the Bay Bridge because we were going toward the beaches and the heavy stuff is usually coming into the city from Ocean City. Got to Annapolis and hit the wall of brake lights ten miles short of the Bridge. With a flash of brilliance, turned off and went into Annapolis to wait for the traffic to clear. The Naval Acadamy was having its Plebe Summer visiting weekend so Annapolis was packed. Tiny atmospheric streets are not so cute when full of traffic. Finally found some gas and a milkshake after burning gas for over an hour.

Back to Route 50 and the backup was even worse. Called our daughter. She checked the computer and found that there had been a terrible accident on the Bridge (the truck in the water in the picture). Decision time. Already was 3 in the afternoon (12 hours after the accident) and did not want to wait for hours (on the news, some woman said she took four hours to go five miles) nor take the 95 and 64 route through Norfolk, which I hate, so we went back to our daughter's.

Now to Monday, yesterday. The WTOP.com traffic page said a few lanes open but “some delay.” Left early, tenish, and decided to risk passing over The Bridge. After getting through Washington and onto 50, saw a sign with the message “2.5 hour delays”. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Turned onto the Beltway, 495/95 South to go through Norfolk. An hour after getting started, we were almost back where we started, the notorious “Mixing Bowl” where every road in the whole world comes together and becomes The 95 South. And no sooner did we get on it when it became a parking lot. Road repairs and an accident. A half hour to go ten miles.

95 is the major north/south artery. And on Monday noon time (actually any hour of the day and night) it is packed and everyone moving well above the speed limit. Except me. As a thrifty penny pincher, I stick to the limit. Felt like a target for every beemer and 18 wheeler on the road. Again traffic ground to a halt a couple of times. Not a fun trip.

Finally hit Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. As always, it was backed up. Another half an hour to go five miles.

By five o'clock, hit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Finally an enjoyable drive. If you get the chance, be sure to go across it. Light traffic moving at a reasonable speed. A bunch of ships in The Roads. Lots of fishing boats under the bridge. Delightful weather. And then up 13 to home. A few cars and trucks on the road and friendly, considerate drivers.

And home. How nice home is. Two days, over $50 worth of gas and $12 Bridge-tunnel toll fees, ten hours of driving, to do a 250 mile journey. We need to go back to horse and buggy. Or canoes.