Decades ago, while studying the Kabbala, I made a personal connection with Archangel Raphael. Recently, synchronicity brought him to my attention repeatedly until I got the hint and began calling on him again. In addition to being a great healer, I found out that he he watches over travelers. To honor him I made a small shrine that was sometimes on my altar, sometimes not. When I was having terrible trouble finding places to stay, I began lighting incense and the candle and asking for help. He gets credit for tonight’s host in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and last night’s as well. I lit the candle again tonight, asking for a host with electricity for tomorrow night. I’d say more than half the hosts are away, but did not update their calendar on the website to reflect that, making for a frustrating waste of time.  

Today’s drive was nearly five hours, but more than thirty minutes of it was spent pulled over on the side of the road so other vehicles could pass. I took wrong roads a couple of times and found places to turn around. I did find diesel gas for about 25¢ less than the going rate, but I did not find a place to restock my supply of Rebel ice cream. There were fields of green, brown and yellow, and a great many steep hills that seemed to go on forever. The upgraded transmission handled them well, although the drivers behind me would tell you differently. On some straightaways, I could go faster than the posted speed limit. Other times I had to step on the gas to equal the mph posted on the solar-powered speed awareness monitor. I did not step on it when crossing a large body of dammed up water at a hydroelectric power plant, or going down streets with cars parked on the side of the road. Didn’t hit a thing!