Moving Trip (Part 1) - Day 1

The day has finally come! I need to start my new job by next Monday (confirmation letter came yesterday), so I finished up my packing this morning. After the kids got home from school, I spent some quality time with them - including a big dinner that Nicky made (fondue!). Waited until rush hour was over (1900L) before heading out of town - wanted to clear Dallas and (hopefully) Shreveport before morning. Used I-35W to I-20 and then headed out of the city. Traffic was OK out to Mesquite but really improved after that. I realized tonight that I haven't driven on this highway in almost 10 years... Made really good time to the Texas border - and realized (to my relief) that my repair of the cooling valve had been successful. Drove through the busy Shreveport area and then began to look for a hotel. Finally found one in Minden, Louisiana (Exacta Inn) and settled in for the night around 2300L. I was almost asleep when a comotion began outside - several police cars (including K9 unit). Eventually, a tow truck removed the car parked right next to mine in the parking lot (!!!!) but I guess the whole thing didn't involve me... Finally fell asleep around 0100L.