Internet & Interstates

Phoenix, Arizona:

The "I 's" for today's A-to-Z Blogging Challenge must wait until I get my manners back. Last night when I blogged I was tired and in a hurry.

On Sunday, which was our break from blogging in the A-to-Z Challenge, we went to Laura (Bob's sister) and Louise's (Bob's mom's) house in Henderson, Nevada for Easter. 

Laura and I went to see "The Hunger Games." Both of us enjoyed the movie. We then headed back to the house.

Laura made a wonderful dinner: roast chicken, baked yams and green beans. Bob and I made a green salad. Kristin and Rich brought fresh strawberries, whipped cream and a double fudge cake. We also had Hawaiian sweet rolls. Thank you, Laura.

Rich asked if we wanted help with our electrical problem in the 5er. He was so generous to offer as he is an excellent electrician. Bob and Rich went outside (where we had parked our 5er in front of Laura's house) and did their manly man thing. Rich diagnosed the problem which was a blown fuse in the battery compartment. Bob and Rich went out, bought a new fuse along with a spare, and our battery problem is solved! We now have lights when we're boondocking. Thank you, Rich, for your expert help.

Louise, Kristin, Laura and I went for a walk after dinner while the guys bonded over batteries and power. Molly and Jetta (Louise and Laura's dogs walked with us.) When we returned, we worked on a jigsaw puzzle, then watched "Amazing Race."

Bob and I then took the 5er to South Las Vegas where we camped outside Camping World so we'd be there for our appointment in the a.m.

Monday, we ran errands all morning while the 5er was in for repairs. Picked up the 5er around 2:00 p.m. and met Bob's Mom and sister at Fiesta Casino where we parked the 5er and the cats, then headed out to a late lunch. We had another good visit, then left for Phoenix. It was late. See yesterday's blog for the rest of that story.

Which brings us to today's blog challenge: Internet & Interstates.

What did we do without the internet and interstate highways? Both connect us with other people. 

The interstate highways made travel more convenient and faster (usually). We can go from Point A to Point B without stopping for all the traffic signals on a larger roadway which allows for passing slower vehicles. Ultimately this is good if you're in a hurry. However, if you'd like to see the sights, back roads offer a more intimate portrait of our country.

The internet brought us instantaneous connections with people on a conversational level. We can research to our hearts content. But in gaining connections, have we lost intimacy in personal relations? Our computers are on; we email, blog, carry out banking transactions, shop, date, ad infinitum. Do we get closer to people or are we locking them out? Personally, I have connected with some people whom I have not seen for a long time and met new friends through Facebook. Overall, I think the internet is a valuable addition to personal interplay.

Overall, whether it's interstates or internet, change is good. We are making connections in different ways than our ancestors did, but isn't life about changing and growing?

Now if I could figure out Twitter...what a hoot that would be. Am I mixing metaphors? Maybe I should say, "what a tweet that would be."