I made my road trip and thought I’d give you a recap of how it turned out versus flying.

First, throughout the entire trip, I was never photographed naked, nor felt up by a TSA thug (shocking!)  I don’t think I will ever fly again, unless of course I am treated like a customer and not a criminal by the airline industry. (You hear that Southwest?  Even your low fares, no baggage fees, happy flight attendants, online booking, Rapid Rewards and everything else that makes you my preferred airline is not enough to over come the fact that I must first be given an unhealthy dose of radiation or a generous groping by some mouth-breather with a costume and badge before you can provide air travel to me.  You can also forget about three additional customers, as my wife and children will never fly as long as some government goon will get to see them naked or molest their bodies.)

Second, I saved ~$250 by driving, rather than flying.  Did you know there’s a “9/11” fee tacked on to all ticket sales?  I’ve seen this before on my ticket bills and laughed.  I wonder if they’ll keep milking this cow and attach 9/11 fees to utility bills (we must protect the gas supply!) or cell phones (to prevent terrorist from using them, of course)?  Never let a crisis go to waste, I suppose.  Oops, better not give them any more bad ideas.

Third, since the gas and hotel were already paid for, I was able to bring the family along.  Anybody that travels frequently for business can attest to the fact that there is an entire industry developed for entertaining the road warrior, some of which are less than appropriate for a husband or father.  Having company, especially ones family, eliminates the loneliness that plagues the traveling businessman.  And since I only get to see my children and wife for a few hours each night before they go to sleep, any extra time spent with them is cherished.

Fourth, I downloaded and got caught up on LRC podcasts while everyone slept.  I even got to ‘re-read’ “What Has Government Done to Our Money?” free of course, courtesy of www.mises.org.

Fifth, we got to visit some wonderful cities; Wichita, Kansas City and St. Louis.  This country truly is beautiful and you never get to experience it when flying.  Have you ever seen the St. Louis/Gateway Arch illuminated at night?  Or the sunrise over the golden plains of Kansas?  Simply amazing.  Of particular relevance is the architecturally beautiful Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, which was dedicated 84 years ago today by Calvin Coolidge and we visited yesterday.  One of the main inscriptions reads, "These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." (emphasis mine).  

Sixth, I found a coin dealer in a suburb of Wichita that had a great selection and lower premiums than my dealer at home, so I picked up some Eagles and Morgans.  Children, by the way, love shiny coins and bringing them to a coin shop is a great way to educate them on sound money (or at least, plant the seeds).

 I could probably go on for a few more paragraphs, but I’ll stop for now.  Suffice to say, it was a wonderful experience that brought back fond childhood memories of family road-trip vacations.  I will be doing this as often as possible and will never fly again until I’m treated like a customer and not a criminal.