Season of Construction

When I lived in Chicago, they had a saying that in Chicago there were two seasons, winter and construction. I'm beginning to believe that particular saying proves the same for Wichita. Everywhere you drive, everywhere you turn...orange cones.

When Kellogg became limited to two lanes and the exits to 135 closed, I began taking creative routes to work. There is no direct route from our home to WSU. None. Believe me, I've searched. The quickest route is Kellogg to 135 to 21st. It is also the most stressful. Drivers have become less courteous, more ignorant, more arrogant, and crazy reckless. I don't know whether to blame NASCAR, or the oversized schoolbus-like vehicles most people have chosen to drive (status, intimidation...). Whatever the reason, if I don't leave my house by 7:15, the drive is, at best, a nightmare.

I've discovered that these creative routes, albeit lengthy, are much nicer. More traffic lights, but less traffic. Eight to ten minutes longer to reach my destination, sometimes fifteen minutes, but more relaxing. I've actually seen parts of Wichita I hadn't seen in years, like the crazy curve by West High school. And discovered a few things, like Lincoln goes from Hillside all the way west to K-42, which I can take all the way home.

It's somewhat exciting deciding as I pull out of the drive or parking lot just how I'm going to get home. Will I chance the trains on 21st going west, will I detour by North High (my alma mater), maybe take 2nd street all the way (although the temptation to stop at Old Chicago or Caffe Moderne is too great), or maybe Douglas over to Maple to Edwards...

I guess I'm making the best of it and until my adventure runs dry (hopefully not before the end of the summer), I'm going to enjoy my scenic routes.