City Driving

My son has told me for at least two years it was time to take my car keys away. He might just be right. I flew to Houston early Sunday for a Monday morning meeting. I chose Sunday as it should be a slower traffic day. Ever prepared, I had printed out the directions from the airport to my hotel 35 miles north and demanded a car with a compass. It was 97 degrees and I insisted on a compass more than air conditioning. The Enterprise guy told me three times how to leave the airport and get to the interstate, not the same highway I had mapquested. Several times I had to remind myself to breathe as I hit the freeway--posted at 65 with everyone going a minimum of 80. After approximately 20 minutes, I checked the trusty compass--since I seemed to be getting closer to Houston rather than farther away. Clearly, I was headed the wrong direction--I pulled into a gas station and asked for directions to Conroe, TX. Yep, had to go back to the beginning. I was so nervous as I pulled out of the station and started down the street. Just then the red light turned green and three lanes of traffic were all headed into my line of traffic. I quickly put the car in reverse and tried to quickly backup to the station. There may have been tears, I was again holding my breath. When I finally discovered the correct direction, I put my car into gear and tried again. After another 15 minutes of managing the overzealous, lead-footed Sunday drivers speeding past me, I began to notice a strange sound coming from the engine of my rental car. Knowing, I can't possibly pull over I begin checking my gauges to determine if there might be a problem. "Lightbulb" moment--I have been in low gear since my near death experience at the gas station. Thank goodness nothing blew up as I shift up and headed north at 70 mph. Of course, finding my hotel was another fiasco--thank goodness the desk clerk who answered my phone call was able to stay on the line and direct me to the parking lot. She just might have a career with "Onstar". Probably gonna have to invest in a GPS if I ever leave Rapid City.