The DOT Physical - and other things

It started out straightforward enough - take a van with a bunch of people to the Burlington, VT airport to pick up rental vehicles for the tour. Take some to a secondary place for other vehicles. Drive to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things I need for Front of House. Go to the walk-in clinic to have a DOT physical so I am cleared to drive one of the box trucks on tour. Then drive back to camp. Simple, right? Riiight......

The drive out was uneventful and fun. There was 6 or 7 of us in the van, and we had a grand old time chatting and really getting to know each other. Turns out we had to literally drive right past Ben & Jerry's world headquarters, and a couple of the guys had never been there. I said I wasn't comfortable taking the time to go on the full tour, but I could be convinced to stop for ice cream - so we had ice cream. :) And the answer to the question is: "No, 10 am is NOT too early for ice cream!" (and for the record, pomegranate sorbet is wicked yummy)

Got to the airport dropoff with no issues. Thought we got lost on the way to the 2nd place, but found that fine, too. Then the real adventures began... Turns out the Mapquest directions I had were for the wrong address, and I couldn't find Wal-Mart. I finally pulled over and asked for directions. After 3 more mis-tries, I finally found it - after about 30 minutes of driving in circles. I decided to give myself a break, and checked in with a few folks I haven't been able to talk to, including my mom, who was delighted to hear from me. Yay mom! :) I even had a job interview with touring company in Boston, and I just might have a job offer by the end of the week! Wow...

I got my shopping done, and headed to the walk-in clinic. After about 40 minutes, I finally got my physical done - and was given a clean bill of health. I decided that at 3:30, it was time to get some lunch - Quizno's Sammy's are really good!

I decided to call in to the home base to let them know I was on my way, and to see if they needed anything else and if I should gas up the van. They were surprised I was leaving so late, and I explained that I got lost on the way to Wal-Mart (then again, I got lost IN Wal-Mart too, as it is so not set up the way they are back home - ahh, I miss home...).

I also got lost two more times on the way home, between strange directions and not well marked streets. I did figure it out, and was doing the happy happy dance when I saw the signs for Smirkus at the turnoff to Circus Road.

Silly me - I thought that was the end of the adventure for the day! I get back, and get treated like I'm lying about getting lost (one of the interns flat-out said I was wrong that Mapquest was incorrect, but then allowed for the fact that she's from the area and knows her way around - then again, she's 21 with an attitude - I need to talk to her about the project she did for me and didn't finish, without telling me she didn't finish it). Fortunately (for me, not her!), one of the other drivers got lost going to Wal-Mart too. She took down the address from my directions, and her Tom-Tom sent her to a completely different place (the same plaza I found), and it took her a half hour to find Wal-Mart too! Not to mention, the area where Wal-Mart is was signed well for Marshalls, Circuit City and Home Depot, but no mention of Wal-Mart! ARGH!!!

However, that said - it was a beautiful, perfect day for a drive. I saw a statue of 2 whale tails that looked like they were diving into the grass, and a car dealer had a sporty red convertible in the front of the lot, with a cigar store indian in the drivers' seat. If I hadn't been driving, I would have taken a picture!

I also saw a display of sculptures made with a chainsaw - including bears & a moose! And I made it home for dinner...

I also discovered upon my return that my bunkmate has left! Apparently she decided it wasn't a good fit for her. I'm sad to see her go, and I wish her well on her journey.

Now to work a little more and head to bed.