Adventure 773: Herbie Joe on the Go/Home Sweet Home/Tale of the Tape

Fourteen days on the road. Nine stops: Billings, Fargo, Madison, Goshen, Archbold, Manhattan, Scottsbluff, Big Timber, Home. 4335 miles covered. States traversed: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming. Relatives enjoyed: Micah, Kim, Wes, Scott, Kate, Kel, Karen, Rod, Karen, and Arlene. New acquaintances: Anne-Laure. Startling moment: Early morning Scottsbluff meeting- as the elevator opened-the living stereotype of what Hillary called "deplorable". He had the requisite scraggily gray beard, camouflage clothing, and a matching ball cap emblazoned with a sparkling red, white, and blue TRUMP. We exchanged a pleasant,  "Howdy" and went on our way. I thought about him. He was congenial enough, and if it wasn't for his political bent, it's not hard imagining that we could become friends. And if not hm, then any of the other folks we ran into. After traveling the farm roads of the midwest I can easily see why the good conservative folks living there would like things to stay the same. Life is good. People understand the rhythm, the rules, the expectations. Everywhere we went we observed good people working hard, living the dream. People like us: wholesome, honest, faithful, and industrious. Most of the communities and small towns we passed through also demonstrated that they were a place to raise children. We saw lots of ball fields and swimming pools, well appointed schools, and manicured parks. Mostly we saw people working, especially truck drivers. They say we're suffering from inflation, but it's not stopping traffic or commerce on our highways. And as we traveled, I felt the foundation of our history, the bravery and spunk of our ancestors, the legacy of their excellence and effort. They worked hard to create the "American Dream". We'd like it to remain constant. And I think it could. I've come to believe that most people's lives won't change much regardless of which party controls the power. The everyday guy, gal, kid, and retired folk is just trucking on. It's all of us, regardless of persuasion just working to make life happen. And it's what makes life good, especially today.

Trucks, trucks everywhere.

Driving means finding space between these guys.

The Bozeman area got about five inches overnight. By the time we got there, this was what was left.

We left at seven, so the sun wasn't up. It was fin to watch the light chase us West.

The light made a painting of each hillside.

Go West,  young man. There's golden opportunities out there.

Adventure 772: Herbie Joe on the Go/Scottsbluff, NE/Big Timber, MT

We battled headwinds of 25-30 mph sustained with an occasional gust of plus forty all day. Eight and a half hours, five hundred miles. The Hampton Inn welcomed us, and we were pleasantly surprised at its quality. I enjoyed an excellent shower, a nice soak in the hotel hot tub, and was rested and ready for our dinner outing at the Flyover Brewery, which promised wood fired pizza. Always up for a challenge, we decided to see if they could compete with us. The answer, flatly, is no, and the ridiculous $50.00 price tag even got me paying attention to the cost. Nonetheless, the cold leftovers tasted good on the road the next day. For dessert, we stopped at the local Culver's and shared a cashew caramel sundae. So, life was good, especially yesterday.

After a fair to middling breakfast, we hit the road this morning around eight. We got to Billings, Mt about 2:30 P.M. where our friends Mark and Tina Standish live. We toured Mark's auto shop (He specializes in BMWs), and then we toured Tina's doll museum. She's an over the top collector who's been dedicated to collecting since she was sixteen. Both she and Mark call the collection "Insanity". What it really is is a magnificent collection of dolls, doll houses, doll dresses, and doll trinkets.  We enjoyed the tour and enjoyed seeing them. We then finished our day here in Big Timber at the local Super 8. It's not so super, but it serves for our overnight stay. Tomorrow we push for home where we'll once again realize that life is good, especially.....

Wyoming weather can be frightening.

Hey, Doll.

Weather in Wyoming can be beautiful.

Mark explaining his current project to Judy.

We took a quick side trip to Fort Laramie.

What is more fitting for a brew pub than a keg urinal.

Hey, Dolls.

Master mechanic, Mark.

This is one wall of what Tina calls her "foo-foo" room.

Lots of coal train pass through these parts.

And more dolls.

This was a sausage and peppadews pizza.

Chimney Rock just outside Scottsbluff, NE

Freya, the greeting dog at Mark's shop.

More dolls. Each of these cabinets is two sided. They rotate and each shelf is over filled with dolls and doll stuff.

This little doll furniture is made of pure silver. All we can say about the dolls is WOW!
 

Adventure 771: Herbie Joe on the Go/Manhattan, KS/Post D

After a delightful breakfast of sausage patty, basted egg, semel, homemade wheat bread, and fruit, the sisters enjoyed the rest of the morning with a trip to the Saturday market, after which they came back and seamlessly danced together a lunch of left over taco soup, nachos covered with refried beans, a cabbage salad, and brownies for dessert. Arlene left a little after lunch, which left Judy, Karen, and I free to play Hollywood Gin. But the thin gruel did not stop flowing. Karen made yet another plate of cream cheese, prosciutto, basil leaves, and peaches along with a bowl of toasted bagels and a few slices of Dorothy M baguette. A break ensued. Karen worked outside. I took a nap. Judy knitted. Another game of Hollywood Gin before dinner, which was shrimp in brown gravy served over grits, grapes on the side. I point today out simply because  I'm feeling the midwest love. In fact, I've been so loved I feel as elated as the biblical fatted calf who must have been so pleased with its excess, it could hardly comprehend the consequences. I'm well aware of the consequences. They're hanging off my frame like the rings on the Michelin Man. But I'm not complaining. It's the hallmark of our gatherings.  I'll take this kind of love as much as I can get it because it reminds me that life is good, especially today.

The sisters so pleased Ashley is using their mother's baking pan to create Dorothy M Baguettes.

The sisters "dancing" the lunch together, a little ditty learned some time ago.

The time comes when you have to go.

Goodbye, Arlene.

The rest of the post is pictures of the love food, Midwest style. We often refer to it as "Thin Gruel."

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Miss Karen makes it happen. Just call me plumpful.

Adventure 770: Herbie Joe on the Go/Manhattan, KS/Post C

Big day in Manhattan, KS: lots of action. Rod left for his weekend job of running the 30 second clock for the Big 12 football games. This week he's in Stillwater where Oklahoma State will host Texas. We'll miss him, but it was good to see him while he was here. The other big event saw Arlene arrive from Hutchinson, which paved the way for a sisters gathering. The three made a trip to a bakery in Blue Rapids, KS, in order to see some baguettes made in a form that used to be their mother's. The baker, owner of the Riverside Market, is selling "Dorothy M" baguettes. I stayed back at the house and worked on learning the Tucson Tai Chi form. I've got the rough choreography down, so now it's time for refining the transitions, which are slightly different than the form I practice. After my study, I spent some time enjoying Rod and Karen's house. Karen is a talented artist who has an eye for color, balance, and drama. She enjoys is decorating her house each season. Right now, we're full flush into fall, so there are pleasant dioramas all over the place. I made it the center piece of my realization that life is good, especially today.

Dorothy M baguettes.

Kitchen window.

Kitchen counter.

Living room fireplace.

Living room fireplace

Fall leaves.

Living room coffee table.

Living room small stand.

Family room fireplace mantel.

Kitchen window.

Another counter somewhere.

Pumpkin man.

Side table by the back door.

See ya, Rod. Drive safely.

 

Adventure 769: Herbie Joe on the Go/Manhattan, KS/Post B

Whenever we get together with the Franz's comfort food becomes a focus. We started the day with toasted breakfast sandwiches called "Thrilled Cheese". Miss Karen has a job as a secret shopper. The "Thrilled Cheese sandwich were produced by a ghost restaurant operation run out of the local I-Hop. The sandwiches were excellent, even a day old. After breakfast we took an activity break. Karen and Judy went to pickle ball. Rod and I stayed home. Rod worked on his notes for his meeting today, and I worked on learning a new form of Tai Chi. The main excitement for the day came around eleven when we went to see the progress on Rod and Karen's new apartment in the Monarch building of the Meadowlark complex. Their apartment will be excellent and will be completed sometime next year. Then more food for lunch. Karen laid out a smorgasbord of goodies.One plate held rolled meat, sliced peaches, goat cheese, and basil leaves. These condiments were loaded onto bagels that Karen cut and toasted. In addition, there was ham salad and fresh bread. Finally, some fresh fruit finished the fare. Just excellent. More activity after lunch. I worked more on Tai Chi. Rod did more work on his meeting, and the girls went downtown. For dinner, Karen was once again a secret shopper. We went to the Texas Roadhouse, which served us the epitome of down home country comfort food. Our waitress, Gabby was exceptionally personable and efficient. The food itself was plentiful, well prepared, and quite tasty. I felt a little like the Hindenburg after dinner. It's amazing how many times the four of us center our camaraderie around good food. In fact, we often discuss what we're going to eat at the next meal while we're eating a current meal. I don't know what that says about us, but it certainly provides more proof that life is good, especially today.

Of course the ladies squeezed in a little duet performance.

Doug explaining the specifics about the new apartment.

All of us imagining what it will all look like.

The Franz's apartment will be to the right of the red machine on the second floor, which will provide a nice view of the Flint Hills to the West.

The lunch spread.

These four stacked on a toasted bagel piece proved to be a spectacular combo.

Ham salad, a true midwestern comfort food.

We played half a game of Hollywood Gin before dinner. Of course, Miss Karen is in the lead at the halfway mark.

This place was packed, the staff well-trained, friendly, and efficient.

Other than or maybe because of, the sodium count for this dinner at least triple the daily adult dosage. Sure tasted good.

Took some home.