Philip W Holland

Say what you want about American car centric culture, but the rest area is a sacred institution holding this all together and I have currently established a routine of using them for their intended purpose.

You aren’t supposed to camp, but putting a blanket down does not qualify. That’s picnic behavior. Book reading behavior. Civilized. Allowed. There usually is a peripheral nature area where you can place bedroll out of sight on the other side of a berm or tall grass, within earshot of the car alarm.

Sleeping on the screened porch back home got me used to the lull of wind and distant highway sounds, so the sleep is easy. Amniotic. Just remember to apply your Badger Anti Bug Balm. I cannot stand the feeling and smell of normal bug sprays and this has been a pleasant option, no bites and only a couple ticks that didn’t latch.

Will launder bedding and jackets with Zote soap which has citronella in it and might lend extra protection. I am willing to be paid for these endorsements but alas.

Everything has a cost, and the meaning of that sentence varies drastically from place to place. Urbanicity and population concentration makes open sleeping and invitation to theft and harassment. And everything costs money. I prefer the cost of sleeping outside and being away from denser civilization.

On that note, I have successfully taken my CRV to see the Motor City. Lots of potholes. Lots of people. Saw a show, met with friends, and bought a huarache at a taco truck. But rest time means head to the next rest area.

Currently at one north of Detroit, making coffee to continue north on 75 past Flint and towards the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. People keep telling me wonderful things about it, so I will drive through moose territories, then loop dee loop down through Winsonsin, and slingshot east.

Need to look up the rules for

I technically have enough money to get home but I am making on-brand impulsive decisions to enter remote backcountry, so cashapp me gas money at $philipwholland.

Forty dollars fills my tank! And as Frasier said, “Yes, Niles, but if less is more, just think of how much more MORE would be! You may be seated.”

Also I need to pay my phone bill.