RTB

 

Road Trip

3,000 miles altogether. No major drama, just a lot of windshield time. Some light rain and mainly overcast skies made for an easy drive.

Sights along the way – a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new convenience stop in Colby, KS. Given the country’s current economic picture, I’m amazed anyone is investing in a new business.

Nashville, TN is always a clusterf**k.

A convoy of nine late model Corvettes all doing exactly the speed limit.

Waiting for a tow truck – British Columbia license plate.

Special for Virtual Mirage. Opens at 10:30 so missed it this trip.

Atwood, KS motel. I’ve never stayed there but like the name.

Smoky Mountains

Sunday was left open in case family wanted to get together. Instead, they all headed to the ocean so I took the opportunity to explore some of the Appalachian foothills rural roads. Below is typical. What a great palace to own a sports car or high performance motorcycle.

I’ve seen the area from a light airplane but never from the ground. An interesting drive. Two elk alongside the road. Nearby where I took my feeble attempt at an artsy/crafty photo, a bear was halfway up a tree.

Leaving the park you drive through Pigeon Fork, TN. IMO several ghastly miles of tourist traps.

For the most part when time isn’t a consideration, I stay off the Interstates. Sometimes they are unavoidable. If you do, have maps to check against your GPS.

Between St Francis, KS and Hagler, NE was especially enjoyable. The terrain is hilly and everything was green with cattle grazing. Later, headed West on Highway 34 at a one lane only construction zone, I had the opportunity to contemplate what early settlers contended with.

Banner Report

He spent seven days at Sisty’s. He was overjoyed to see me. When I was putting him in his harness, he was so excited it was like trying to saddle a green bronco. Once back at the apartment he kept busy seeking out the treat suckers and getting lots of pets.

Opportunity

Something different for those who want to relocate away from stress but still want to keep working.

MORE

Generations of our extended family have shopped here. At one time my father set up an account there so his younger sisters could buy food.

Damn Cancer

Some sixty+ percent of our extended family have died from cancer, or are currently fighting it. The latest death was an aunt. Now, at Stage Four, is a cousin. A Vietnam Navy UDT veteran, he just turned 80.

For the record, since childhood, we have never liked each other. No real reason; just one of those things.

Home on leave in Boise, ID, he saved a life. A boy fell into a concrete lined irrigation canal with no way to climb out. Gene jumped in, grabbed the boy, and they went through five head gates before finding a place to climb out.

As always, YMMV