Apr. 23 We awoke today in Virginia, only two days from home. (One, for anyone who could manage to get on the road before noon.) Having just exited the local Waffle House here in "Staunton"where we stayed last night, the open road beckons. Our route this time has not been on 95. We chose a more scenic one that has brought us further inland, and allowed for a greater view of the countryside, which grows less and less green with each passing mile. Routes 77, and then 81 will take us through Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, and then into Pennsylvania, where I expect we will spend our last night on the road. At a Dunkin Donuts in Maryland, I experienced a first. The clerk gave me the senior discount without my having asked for it. I couldn't decide whether to be offended or grateful. I decided on grateful. Grateful is always the best decision. Because of course I had meant to ask for the discount; but forgotten until it was too late, after the transaction had already been rung up. How is it that we have no problem noticing that other people are looking old, but when it comes to ourselves, it's a whole different story? I suppose it is the incremental nature of aging, and the fact that we see ourselves in the mirror daily, and others far less often. Or perhaps just our rather remarkable capacity for self- deception. Either way, 56 cents is 56 cents.