I haven't driven from Washington to SoCal in over 15 years.....
The growth was amazing.
Traffic, way too much.
The homeless, really sad.

I can remember how you could use a restroom, if needed, but now, because of folks destroying them, etc, many were under lock, or hung "out of service" signs on them, even well known brand gas stations....
Very frustrating.
You would have to order food, first, at restaurants, etc, before you could even get the key, or code, to wash your hands before eating.

Very sad state of affairs how the actions of others, impact those of us that have no say in the matter.
I guess after I buy our 5th wheel trailer, it will solve the problem for us, but honestly, this problem I see only getting worse until what, a epidemic from some disease, starts to take a toll on society?      

Unfortunately yes, it is a sad state of affairs.
Peoples hearts are growing colder, generally.

LANCER wrote on 01/05/19 at 03:43:28:


That is a keen observation, I am afraid.
Society that somehow has what, parented (?) in such a manner that children see this as a viable lifestyle?
A society that has defaulted to its responsibilities of enabling because it doesn’t care/want to do the difficult work to stop it?
Is this just a precursor to a failing society where it’s the rich, and have nots?
Seems that has always been one of the biggest contributors to a failed society in history.....
I don’t know....
All I do know is you now must plan your food, gas, and bathroom stops, if you travel.
What I did learn is this:
Buy gas outside the cities, it’s more expensive, but seemed free of the assaulting elements that led to “out of order” restrooms.
The department of transportation rest stops were always open and free of panhandling, but required planing, which wasn’t always timely...
If you get my drift.
Any “historical” location that had a display inside a building, was good too, but only normal working hours.
You could also get a few miles off the interstate, and find relief, but that often was a “crap shoot” literally, as these areas of blight often extended further, as the urge grew more intently, arg.
Finally, expect to be approached, a out of state license plate appeared to be some sort of magnet to these folks.
I was never threatened overtly, however...
When a few start to approach you, it’s unnerving.

I would love input, ideas, etc, but let’s keep it constructive, please....
So this thread is not relocated by the power that be, to the dungeon of intolerance below  

Happy New Year  

PS: It is always so nice to get home, I think keying in on that simple fact holds much to learning to appreciate the simplicity of the present moment.  

Fast 650 may have a valid point. It's not just the USA where this sort of thing is happening. It's occurring in much of the "western world" and in many first world "democracies" including little New Zealand.

Fast 650 wrote on 01/05/19 at 12:34:49:

Ray

We were at a campground in the middle of Texas , a group of people  came in to camp who :
instead of flushing their used toilet paper would throw it into a corner of the restroom , it got nasty quick .
They came from south of the border .

The management  them told  to leave .   Can you really blame management  they had to clean that mess up  !
 

raydawg, your comment about home ownership is very very apt.

Yogi Berra used to live close to where I did a few years ago. I'd see him on line at the bagel joint, chatting it up with the counter help as though he was just another baseball fan. Waited on line patiently to buy his Christmas tree the same place I was.
My cousin is a diehard Yankee fan. Tattoo on his arm and all. I bought an official Yankees hat and kept it and a marking pen in  my backpack in case I saw Berra some day. One morning I'm waiting for the bus, and see him across the street going into the deli for coffee. I run across the street to ask him for an autograph. He's just minding his own business. He sees some trash on the sidewalk, and bends down and picks it up. He's close to 90 years old. The body language says that he is doing what he should be doing. No theatrics.
I follow him into the deli, and as polite as possible, say 'good morning' and ask for his autograph. He is genuinely touched, and has a look as though he is surprised anyone would want one of the world's greatest catchers autograph. He signs the hat, thanks me, I thank him. Give it to my cousin and make his day.
I work in Manhattan. Every day I see people throw trash on the sidewalk while walking, or out the windows of their cars. Went into the bank to use the ATM and the place was a pigsty. One of the employees comes out and sweeps the trash out of the ATM area.
All of my grandparents were orphans, so I don't buy the lack of family structure argument about how badly some people act. My family figured out how to act properly in a civilized society. Somehow, a lot of folks have not.
I guess all this makes me a cranky old guy. Or maybe, just an observant one.