Safely back in our (old) home

Miss D. and I arrived safely in Nashville this afternoon, to be met by an ecstatically purring cat.  We'll be here for another few weeks before heading back to Texas - this time permanently - at the end of the month.

I have to give a shout-out to the Hyundai Sonata we rented in Texas for the return trip (we left my pickup and trailer there, so that when we head that way again we can drive a rented van and tow Miss D.'s car behind it).  It proved extremely comfortable, almost as much so as the larger and much more expensive Chevrolet Impala we drove 4,000 miles to Blogorado and back last year.  With my fused spine and nerve damage, and Miss D.'s shoulder and knee injuries, we're used to discomfort when traveling long distances by vehicle, but with the Sonata there wasn't any to speak of - a rare treat.  It cruised comfortably in the mid-70 mph range, even up steep hills, with very good overtaking acceleration, yet was quiet enough to permit normal conversation, and returned excellent fuel economy while absorbing bumps and potholes with aplomb.  I'm impressed, so much so that when we come to buy another vehicle, I've already made a mental note to check out the then-current Hyundai lineup.  I really hadn't expected that good a car from them.

Returning it to the rental agency was fun, too.  They were completely out of cars, and so were the branches nearest them, including at Nashville airport.  I've no idea why there was such a high demand for rental cars today, but there it was.  When we walked in to return a one-way rental from Texas, you'd think we were a relief column for a besieged city, they were so pleased to see us!  They immediately hauled the car round the corner to be cleaned, and I daresay it was back on the road with another customer within an hour.

We'll get settled in tonight, then it'll be time to start packing the duplex and getting ready for the move.  I think, if the contractor can finish his work a little earlier than scheduled and our friends can get the laminate flooring laid in time, we might even head south again a little earlier than planned.  I'm eager to get to Texas.  The climate, wide open spaces and distant horizons remind me very much of parts of Africa, and I feel right at home there.  I'm looking forward to becoming an adopted Texan.

Peter