Reading Comprehension 101

We are driving south on Interstate75. As we are approaching Atlanta Georgia we had a route choice to make. It was a little before 3 PM and to me traffic seemed heavy. As we approached the decision point , the point where you either go straigth on I 75 through the city or take the by-pass around the city. It seemed 80 % of the traffic as going by-pass. We set a course straight ahead, into the heart of the big city. The shortest distance between two points is typically a straigher line.

Traffic was now very light. The speed limit had dropped to 55 MPH. This drop in the speed limit turned out to be very benifical. As we progressed through the city, the overhead signs showed we were still on Interstae 75 South but that Interstae 85 was joining us. The next sign I noticed was indicating a split in traffic. 75 HOV and 85 were moving left. Seemd like maybe we were becoming an express lane. You know the type, no exits just through traffic.

I wasn't actualy in the HOV lane, it was the lane to my left. I was eligible to be in the HOV lane because, Gloria was riding shotgun, and a minium of 2 occupants was required. But I wasn't in the HOV lane. I know.... I am repeating my self. I suddenly became aware of a concrete wall to my right, where there were 4 or more lanes previously, I was thinking (outloud I am sure) just what did that overhead sign really say? Before I could recall the sign from my memory I was jarred to attention as the car was running over rumble stripes and the pavement was painted with white stripes. In the blink of an eye our lane was suddenly making a u-turn and we were heading North on Interstate 85. In seconds we had change direction 180 degrees. If the compass wasn't confirming my suspision I wouldn't have belived what had just happened. I was for sure glad the speed limit was 55 mph because that was a very tight turn to be making at any speed over 35 mph.

Earlier Gloria had Google Maps do a route on her iPhone and it quickly figured out what I had done and gave us updated directions and for a way to get back on course. The suggested correction worked very well and we were heading south again. But now traffic was near gridlock. The Interstate 75 traffic didn't seem to be the issue. Most of the congestion was centered around exit and on ramps for the other Interestates that run through Atlanta.

Even if we had gone the by-pass route, we would have still been in the mix, as the congession continued for several miles after the by-pass rejoined I 75. And besides I wouldn't have wanted to miss the excitement of the u-turn in the middle of the city.

So now I am thinking the sign was indicating that the left lane was for Interstate 75 South HOV traffic and the lane I was in was  a left lane exit for Interstate 85 North.

You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy.