My police escort

I saw in the Long Island Newsday, as well as heard from several sources that there was a fire on the Throg's Neck Bridge the other day and that access was closed from several parkways to get out of Long Island. Of course this was the intended way to Massachusetts, so I needed to look for alternatives. Thankfully this same Newsday article offered such choices graciously pointing out several different detours one could take from different points on Long Island. I confirmed my plan with uncle Howie and wrote down the directions on the newspaper page and tore it out for the trip. Given the troubles with the GPS in Canada, I wanted to have some good ol' fashioned directions as well, because with some my express-ways and parkways on Long Island I wasn't sure what the GPS detour would be.

I was driving along the LIE, keeping up with traffic, and yes, doing a little weaving, but nothing that would have been noticeable had I not had out-of-state plates. I figured instead of continually glancing to the passenger seat at the newspaper clipping I would hold it on the steering wheel so I could make a (quicker) glance down to see the next street. I was doing this for just about 5 or so minutes when I heard a quick siren sound, like from a police car. I quick looked around and in the mirrors and did not see any official vehicles and thought nothing of it. Then it came again within a minute or so, again a quick glance, but not cars. Finally the Jeep Cherokee behind me turned on its police lights and was motioning for me to pull over. But where!! There are no shoulders on the LIE.

I pulled to the right lane and slowed down planning on going to the next exit, I did not want him to think I was trying to evade him (right Stuart). Then he pulls up, and yes there was a large curb, on to the grassy-shoulder-piece of land; I followed. He pulled to my passenger side and I rolled down my window.

"You are not seriously reading the newspaper and driving?" he questioned.
"No, I am following my directions for the detour on the Throgs Neck."
"That still closed from the fire?"
"Yes, that is what the Newsday article said yesterday, and I can't trust this thing for detours," I remarked while pointing to the GPS.
He radioed someone and was talking with several people about the best way to get there.
"Stay on the LIE to the Clearview, it's not closed from there."
I asked him about having to go on Grand Central Parkway, as the paper instructed.
"No. Just follow me, I'll get you there."

And that is how I got a police escort to the Throg's Neck Bridge.