Pulled Over In Louisiana

Had a LOOOONG day of driving today. Maybe it's because I know it is the last real trip of the year... but the 14 hours in the car today seemed more difficult than normal.

However, we started over with the first season of the West Wing... which ALWAYS helps long drives!

I got pulled over tonight. I was very confused when it happened. But we had been going back and forth from 65 to 45mph zones and even though I was being extremely cautious of the speed limit I was worried I had gone over a little bit.

I pulled over, got out my license and rolled the window down. A SECOND police car pulled up behind the first at this point with lights on. As the officer approached the trailer, he very loudly said, "Driver, please step out of the vehicle."

Whoa.

Actually, I think it was a unanimous "Whoa" from everyone in the car when we heard that.

I stepped out, and he said "Ma'am, step back here please."

The first thing he said was my license was expired on the trailer. THANK GOODNESS MY DADDY EXPLAINED THIS TO ME! Thanks Daddy! I explained to the officer that it is not required by the state of Tennessee to even have a license on the trailer, and that we were told that most states did not require one. We had gotten the license out of courtesy, but were told there was not really a need to update it.

Of course, in the state of Louisiana, you DO have to have your license up to date.

Turns out he pulled me over because our chains were dragging. So I found a bungee cord and pulled them up so they wouldn't drag. He scanned my license and let me go.

But WHEW. I was fine during the whole thing. I knew I had done nothing wrong, but I was definitely shaking once I got back in the car and took a deep breath. Goodness!

I think I was actually older than the police officer, which was kind of strange.

I guess I should also say THANKS MAMMA for instilling in me: "DON'T SPEED!!" I hear those words resonating in her voice in my head every time the speed limit changes. Even if I wanted to, I feel like she would be cringing somewhere and not knowing why. So I just don't chance it.

But we're here now! And I am ready to sleep. Night night!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie