Day # 19- Long Hot Summer Day

Today's song title is one that probably no one (except MAYBE, Loren) will be able to correctly identify the meaning of.  Yes, it was a long summer day.  Not so hot, though, so that's good.  But, that's only a small part of how this song is relevant to today.  It is by the Turnpike Troubadours.  Turnpike being the key word here.  Let's continue...
Our mission for today was to make it to Port Huron.  When I had mapped out our trip AND when I looked to confirm things last night, PH was 242 miles away.  Thinking we were in no hurry because hotels wont let us check in until 3 anyway, we didnt rush to leave.  We set the GPS lady and suddenly, she has our trip taking 7 hours instead of 4 1/2.  We'll get into that drama later. 
The very first entrance onto the highway was, you guessed it, the ticket booth for the dreaded Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Determined not to have any more problems, I made sure to get into the lane that said "No Ticket" so I could collect one for our journey.  Nice try.   It was the same damn thing as before.  No ticket.  No person.  Only a button to call.  This time I pressed it and kept pressing it until a person appeared from behind a secret door.  He looked at me like I was crazy and asked what I wanted.  I told him I needed my ticket.  He then starts to yell and tells me I am in the wrong lane and this was the only place in the state to get a ticket.  I told him no, I specifically came to the line that says no ticket so I could get one.  This makes him madder and he tells me that the sign saying "No ticket" means they dont have any tickets in that lane, not that you go to that lane if you need a ticket.  I told him I am not from here and did not understand their messed up signs!  After all that, he handed me a ticket (ha! you do have them in this lane!) and sent me on our way. 
At the end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike we breathed a huge sigh of relief, paid $8 for the pleasure of traveling their roads and proceeded to immediately get onto the Ohio Turnpike.  Really?!?  At least Ohio has their lanes marked better and we were able to GET A TICKET!!!  Ohio charged us $14 to drive on their precious turnpike.  And then we were in Michigan, on their free roads, swerving from lane to lane to avoid potholes.  
Michigan has 2 seasons- Winter and Road Construction.   We had to dodge highway closures, wrecks, and whatever else by driving through the Pure Michigan country side.  Finally, hours and hours and hours later, we made it to Port Huron!  Jen greeted us with chips, bean dip, and margaritas.  We snacked, drank, and waited for Bob.  After Bob got into town, we headed for a late dinner at Chili's.   Not very exotic, but open past 9. 
Tomorrow we are supposed to see friends, so stay tuned!