There is no cure for bad drivers

It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is still here, but it’s equally important to enjoy life, especially when the weather is nice. And over the weekend I chose to become one of those hordes of migrating animals you see this time of year. You know the ones I’m talking about, they’re called tourists.

Over the weekend I drove up to my hometown of Hayward for a little rest and relaxation. It was my first foray out of the Abbotsford/ Colby area in over three months, as I have self-isolated through the first months of the pandemic.

But as the weather gets warmer, and as the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin dropped, I found myself missing my family, especially my niece, who was forced to celebrate her 13th birthday in quarantine.

It was the perfect conditions for driving up plenty of sun, no road construction, and miles of beautiful green trees and blue skies to admire. Now if only there weren’t so many darn cars on the highway.

There might be a cure for COVID-19 coming soon, but I don’t think there will ever be a cure for bad drivers. Bad drivers come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common offenders are those who drive too fast and those who drive far too slow.

I think I hate the ones who drive too slow the most. A quick glance at some stats online shows that far more accidents happen from people driving under the speed limit rather than over.

I guess that makes sense - think about how often you’ve been in that same situation. Sure, it’s not fun having someone hug the rear end of your car or truck, demanding you go 65 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour stretch of road, but how much more obnoxious is it to have someone drive 40 miles an hour on a 55 mile hour road?

It took me longer than anticipated to get up to Hayward, and get back to Colby, because of slow drivers on winding, country roads. Normally I would have stayed on Hwy. 29, but to get to Hayward you eventually have to take those curving, winding backroads.

I nearly got in two accidents trying to pass several drivers who seemed more intent on the scenery in front of them than the scene behind them - chiefly a convoy of cars that stretched back for several miles. I nearly sped out in front of them, but with so many twists and turns, and other tourists coming up to see familiar sights, I didn’t want to get in a car crash.

But all is well that ends well. I made it to Hayward, hung out with my adorable niece, got a much needed hair cut and ate several tasty meals of trout and steak. All in all, it was a perfect weekend and a wonderful antidote for the Quarantine Blues.

Now, the coronavirus is still out there, and we still need to be vigilant. But it surely felt good to be out and among friends again. I should note I did wear a mask around Hayward, but thankfully no tan lines from that! M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS

ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER