Over the past two weeks I’ve made three separate trips to Rotterdam. My first two trips were marked with construction, but the final featured a brand new, wonderful surprise.

What could it possibly be? A roundabout.

I adore traffic circles. It’s a weird personality quirk. I find them so much more pleasant than traffic lights. I think it's because I keep moving, even if I have to slow down, so I feel like I’m making progress. I thoroughly enjoy driving through the Malta/ Ballston Spa area with all their roundabouts.

It seems in the past few years, the Capital District has seen an explosion in the number of rotaries. Just a few years ago, we had just the GE and Latham circles. But now, they’re everywhere.

According to an article on slate.com, (click HERE) this is somewhat of a national phenomenon. Over 2,000 traffic circles have been built in the U.S. in the past 10 years.

The writer uses the article to outline the many reasons Americans should embrace the roundabout. I agree with him wholeheartedly. I frequently find myself sitting at a light wondering why they haven’t put in a circle yet.

Anyway, I highly recommend the article and the increasing numbers of roundabouts in the Capital Region.

One other thing: I made a trip to Jumpin' Jack's over the weekend. Somehow, summer was slipping away without me getting a burger there. Do not let this happen to you. Jumpin' Jack's is a Scotia, and Schenectady, institution. It’s worth the trip and the line, which always moves faster than it seems like it should.