THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: driving


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Passing and Pain

This is Woodstock Road in Howard County Maryland. One of the many single lane roads that connect this county, like blood vessels through a body. Many of these back roads have hills, corners, blind spots and PEOPLE who live on them pulling in and out.

A cyclist wearing a bright neon shirt rides on a rural road, with trees lining the sides and a vehicle approaching in the distance.
We can do better. That double line is there for a reason. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ve been run off the road by people passing on hills. I’ve had to come to a skidding halt to avoid being hit. I’m tired of it.

When we first moved here many decades ago, the speed limit was 40 mph. It was probably 20 maybe 30 years ago when the county changed the speed limit to 30 mph. It makes sense given the change in elevations of this road and the serious curves and hills beyond this stretch of road photographed.

That part is even worse with no shoulder, just a guardrail and rock in some spots. At both ends of Woodstock Road are busy establishments that have been here forever. The Snowball Stand and The Woodstock Inn. Both are popular and have patrons walking in and out most of the day and night. Right on the ROAD.

I’m trying to think of solutions because someone is going to die soon. We recently had another long-time neighbor move and one of the reasons was the crazy drivers here and almost being hit several times on this road.

Look, I’m not talking about being a bike rider on this road which I also think is insane but, in a car, and being almost hit. Lots of times it’s just people not paying attention to and crossing the center line. As you can see there is no place to go in spots. This happens almost every time I go out.

This road gets every kind of traffic from motorcycles to 18 wheelers. There is a lumber mill further up the road so trucks with monster trees and dump trucks sprinkled in. I like them because they slow things down and people rarely risk passing something that long.

Hey, this isn’t just a problem here, it’s everywhere. Too many risk takers for a few seconds’ advantage. And on Woodstock Road, that is usually negated by the train crossing at the bottom of the hill where EVERYONE waits.

Have a good day. I’ve got to drive the mower a bit before I venture out to this road. Wish me luck and may you all have luck on the roads today.


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A simple wave

Maybe some of you are too young to remember but people used to wave to acknowledge someone letting them merge. A quick raise of the hand to signal thank you. I still do it most of the time. Always when traffic is heavy.

But I rarely see it being used now. I remember it being the rule instead of the exception but times change. So we don’t acknowledge each other now. No big deal, I can live without it but that won’t stop me from raising my hand in thanks.

The slowest common denominator. Photo by Mike Hartley

I would also encourage the use of turn signals but I believe manufactures no longer install those either from the looks of things.

To the 350 Z and the VW who slowed in the 3rd and 4th lanes of the beltway to 30mph to race today in the late afternoon, may Karma visit you soon. If you want to race get out in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere.

Well enough road talk. I spent over 3 hours on the road today so I’m ready for some seat time in my office without the threat of idiots.


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Grille

I believe this one is from a 68 Chevelle below. I fell in love with cars from that era. A friend took me for a ride in a 69 302 Camaro a few years before I had my license and that was it. Feeling that thing go through the 4 gears sold me on driving a manual shift for life.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I think I enjoy driving as much today as I did then. And as I’m getting older that feeling of freedom and sometimes having the time to cruise to nowhere in particular opens up as it did in my youth from time to time.

I really wanted to get out today but tomorrow will have to make due. Luckily the weather is supposed to be a repeat of today.

Just had a thought. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we all could get along on the roadways? And imagine if we overcame that obstacle and started working together on other things.

Remember the purpose of a grille is to keep things cool. So let’s all keep cool.