February 4th, 2011

According to the schedule for Amtrak train no. 50, the Cardinal, which was, on this day, on time, this is the New River, probably in the vicinity of Thurmond, West Virginia. Known as the film location for John Sayles’ 1987 movie, Matewan, Thurmond still resembles a 1920s Appalachian coal mining town. The 2000 census showed only seven residents.
January 25th, 2011

Change of plans…I’ll be returning home on Sunday rather than tomorrow. And I know, I’ve almost totally neglected the comments…have read every one, but haven’t yet taken the time to respond. I will do so, soon, though. Hope everyone out there is well. “See” you soon.
January 12th, 2011

I’ll be away starting Friday, January 14, and should return January 26. My sister is recovering from surgery, so I’m heading to them thar hills to see what trouble I can stir up…you know, give unsolicited advice, leave wet towels on the bathroom floor…maybe even push the nephew around. I’m kidding, of course…the nephew is three now and can hold his own. Anyway, just wanna see how much I can get away with before I hear, when are you leaving again? I can’t wait to see their faces when I say, neverrr. :o)
By the way, unlike in the past, I’ll have internet access, so will try to post regularly. No telling what you’ll see, though.
Everyone have a good few weeks and I’ll see you from home base in a bit.
July 29th, 2010

Hey all. It’s that time again. We finally have our “new” truck back. Yay! During its 7-week absence, I missed out on a family cookout in Delaware and a July 4th get-together in them thar hills, so, it’s off to the hills for the overdue visit…I’ll be away July 30 – August 7. (Yeah, I usually take the train, but Amtrak’s mid-summer fares are outrageous…and I’m cheap…uh, you know what I mean.) As is usual, I won’t have internet access, but I will check in once in a while from the local library. Lucy will be here to oversee the wonders of auto-post, so there should be a photo up most days. Stop by for a look if you’ve got a moment.
Love to see the family, but will still miss home, the bike and all of you. Have a good week!
April 12th, 2010

Yep, it’s that time again. I’ll be away April 14-21, and barring any snags (referencing here my last trip and subsequent abandonment by Amtrak), I hope to be back as planned. And there. I’ve just jinxed myself. That’s why I’ve posted this sun-kissed shamrock. Yeah, it only has three leaves and it’s been something’s snack, but it’s all I could find…didn’t see the lucky kind. As is usual, Lucy and W will be here, and I’ll auto post some photos so you’ll have something to look at if you happen to stop by. So, in case I don’t see you before I leave, I’ll see you when I return…on the 21st…right, ratty old three-leaved clover?
November 18th, 2009


Exactly four years ago today, we were driving east on I-40, heading home on our cross-country trip. We had heard about this sculpture called Cadillac Ranch, near Amarillo, Texas, so we decided to stop and see for ourselves. The experience was truly surreal, with the sun beginning to set, the flat, wide-open field, and of course, the 10 half-buried, nose-down Cadillacs. We were the only ones there, so that made it even more eerie. The art is ever-changing as visitors from around the world put their own touch of graffiti on the cars. We were there after the cars were supposedly painted pink in tribute to breast cancer victims, but as you can see, they were already covered with new layers of graffiti. You can still make out a general underlying pink layer though.
The sculpture was created in 1974 by a San Francisco art collective called Ant Farm when they were invited by Stanley Marsh 3 (he felt Roman numerals were too pretentious), the owner of the wheat field, to create a unique piece of art for his ranch. They came up with the concept of placing used or junk Cadillacs, facing west, half-buried at the same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. The original sculpture was moved a couple of miles west, to its current location, in 1997.
What does it represent? Don’t know exactly. You tell me.
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