I used to think the merging of getting onto 235 East from the 80/35 South interchange was the worst possible thing in Central Iowa…but I was wrong.

There is a place in West Des Moines…where there are no laws….there are no rules…there is no semblance of sanity.

It’s the intersection of Westown Parkway & Valley West Drive.

(Oh, how I love the Panoramic Photo setting)

Someone…please explain to me how the traffic light system there. There’s no logic. You can never predict when you will get a green light…green arrow…red light…yellow flashing arrow. It’s ridiculous.

Everytime I think I have it figured out, it throws me for a loop.

Me: Oh, here, we go, it’s my turn.

Traffic Light: I don’t think so Kurt…instead, you’re getting the yellow flashing arrow. Sure you’ve been waiting for 5 minutes, and it’s definitely your turn to go…but I shook my traffic light Magic 8-Ball and came up with “yellow arrow”. 

Me: But, I’ve already begun my turn.

Traffic Light: Well, now you’re the idiot everyone is yelling at because you’re a good  7 feet over the white line.

Do you get the green turn arrow before the normal green light? Or after? You never know. It’s happened both ways…and one time, it just decided to skip me.

Oh, when it is green…good luck, you have 5 1/2 seconds to make it.

This is a common pose for us drivers while at the light….confused look on your face…hands out, palms up…waving them around and saying “What…the…(favorite swear word)”.

You win this round traffic light…oh wait, you win every round.