I’m back at the Bacon’s Rebellion global command center this morning after a long weekend visiting the in-laws in Wilksboro, N.C.

Driving home, it was interesting to cross the state line on Interstate 85 and observe the marked difference in appearance between the N.C.-maintained and Va.-maintained sections of the Interstate. The North Carolina asphalt was mosaic of patches, subjecting travelers to a rythmic sound as their cars passed over sealed cracks at regular intervals. The Virginia asphalt was a thing of beauty: almost flawless, and very, very quiet.

The Tarheels must be spending their money on road beautification instead. Almost every on-ramp and off-ramp along I-85 was arrayed with bright, cheerful flowers. Stretches of highway near Durham has been planted with crepe myrtle trees in a narrow dividing strip. All the flora doesn’t do much to move automobiles, but it does make the drive a lot more pleasant.