October 2021

October 2021

Getting My Kicks on Route 66

PA, OH, IN, IL, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, CO, NE

1- F- PA, OH, IN

Today is the day I leave for my epic trip across country.  I am going to drive to Chiacgo, IL and drive the historical Route 66 all the way to the end at Santa Monica, CA. I left Philly around noon.  I was saddled down with so much stuff in my car but still thinking about so many more things I should bring just in case I needed these unidentified things.  I need to go back to the days when I was a light packer.

As I am pulling out of my parking garage, I thought to myself, "What's wrong with you.  Are you crazy".

2- SA- IN, IL

I drove through South Bend in the midst of Notre Dame football traffic. What a mistake. Their traffic isnt nearly as bad as PSU football traffic but it was raining and I wasnt sure where I was going, so I tried to get away from there ASAP.

My first stop of the day was a lunch break at an Indiana brewer, Evil Czech Brewery (1). I sat at the bar and a creepy, young guy was pestering me with stupid questions.  Finally, I stopped being so dismissive and decided to chat him up and I really enjoyed our conversation.

By mid-afternoon, I made it to Chicago and the infamous "Route 66 Begins" sign and so my trip officially started. I didnt even stop at the spot.  I just pulled over and took a photo from my car.  I regret that I didnt take the time to have a slice of deep dish pizza or a Chicago hot dog. i hopw I dont treat this entire drive like Im in a race to complete it.

3- SU- IL

My intent today was to visit the Lincoln Library but, damn it, it was closed on Sunday. That was a disappointment but I am going to make it a priority to catch this place on the way home.

I met my Illinois brewery goal at the Anvil & Forge Brewery (2) in downtown Springfield.

4- M- MO

The Springfield Brewery (3) is my Missouri brewery.

I started my car camping adventure.  I converted the back seat in to some semblance of a comfortable spot to sleep.  Midway through the nigh, I discovered that I should have tried out this mattress before I left town.  My situation needs a few more pillows.

5- TU- KS, OK

OMG, I did not sleep well. I was so tired that I drove to a Walmart and took a nap in the parking lot.

The radio ads center around ED, erectile dysfunction.

Blue Whale

6- W- OK

I fell on a cement floor and really imjried myself.

Late afternoon, i wandered in to the Frenzy Brewery (4).  These beers were delicious and the guys at the bar were great fun. This brewery is my OK brewery and this was a great choice.

7- TH- TX

The biggest draw of this state was the steak house.  I got there mid-afternoon and there still was a crowd and a long wait to get a table.  So I sat at the bar and had a big-ass prime rib.

brewery (5)

8- F- NM

I was looking froward to my stay here in NM.  I decided to get a nice hotel in Santa Fe for tonight's.  This afternoon, I planned on getting a facial. i thought this treatment would relieve some of the pain and discomfort I still left on my head injury.  And then I would go to a high end Mexican restaurant for dinner.  And I would finish the night with a brewery visit.  And then i would spend Saturday afternoon at the Georgia O'Keefe museum and the evening at the 10,000 Waves retreat.  This would be a great weekend respite. 

My plan didnt come anywhere close to fruition.  It was the Hot Air Ballon Festival and every hotel was booked and everything inch of Santa Fe was filled with tourists, scooters and cars.

I couldn't find a reasonable hotel room but I finally found a campsite about 25 miles out of town.

The radio commercials center around voting rights, speaking to your doctor about the covid vaccine and mental health.  What a difference from the last two states.

9- SA- NM

I drove back up to Santa Fe but it was so damn crowded that I just decided to do something else.  Instead, I drove the Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe to Albuquikee.

I still couldn't find a hotel room so I found a campsite 30 miles out of town. This site had no running water which meant no showers, no sinks, no drinking water and no toilets.  

10- SU- NM

I spent the day in the emergency room. I had an MRI on my brain to see if I had done any damage to my brain.  I had chest x-rays to determine if I broke any bones.  There was lots of blood work done to see if I had any heart troubles.  And all of these tests came back negative.  The doctor concluded that I had intense muscular trauma.  He said this is very common with people who have motor cycle accidents.  After the accident, they get up and move on and then a few days later, they feel as if they had been hit by a truck.

11- M- NM/AZ

Sharon sent us a message that her first report from her oncologist indicated that she is cancer free.  What a fucking relief and a miracle.

I finished the day standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, taking it easy.

12- TU- AZ

OMG, it was cold this morning.  It was 48F and windy and raw.  It snowed and although it was just a dusting, it was enough to make me miserable.

13- W- AZ/CA

donkeys on the streets

Late afternoon, I got my first taste of CA.  The gas price was $5.14/gallon. OUCH.

The radio ads centered around dentistry.  Everyone was being encouraged to enhance their smiles.

14- TH- CA

The temptation was too much. Even though this stop was not on Route 66, I made a left and went to the Joshua Tree National Park.

In the evening, I made a reservation to stay at the Wigwag Motel where each room is a concrete teePee.

I hung out at the 3 Iron Brewery (6). It was medicre at best.

15- F- CA

I made it to the Santa Monica Pier about 4 PM. the traffic was intense and offensive after all these days of open roads.

16- SA- CA, NV, UT

It took almost two hours to get out from under the LA traffic. After so many days of quiet, this LA traffic and noises were offensive.

As I was passing through Las Vegas, I stopped at the Nevada Brewing Company (7)

17- SU- UT

OMG, this is a beautiful state. I woke up and the sun was shinning and the mountains were a gorgeous color and the air was warm.  So I went to a nearby slot canyon in hopes of walking through it.  But I didn't make it through as climbing over enormous boulders was involved.  So I just stood at the entrance and marveled at the people who still have the capacity to climb.  That skill has left me.

I drove in search of a brewery but had no luck.  The Mormons seem to have too much hold on this state.  I will have to find a UT brewery when I come back here in January.

18- M- UT, CO

As soon as I dropped my bags at KT's place, she insisted we go to the Liquid Mechanic brewery (8). She has had a Marshmallow Stout and was sure i would love it.

Later, we had dinner with AJ and Siri.

General Colin Powell died.  He was the first Afrcian American Chief of Staff for President Bush.  He was a Republican but eventually, he became a citizen of the country rather than his party.  He was articulate, intelligent and disciplined.  After 9/11, he stood with Bush who claimed we had to start a war with Iraq.  But after years of reflection and reality, he came to regret that stance and apologized profusely for this misguided position of his.  He was 84 and died of Covid complications.

19- TU- CO

Trump issued an offical satement on the death of  General Powell: "Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media. Hope that happens to me someday. He was a classic RINO, if even that, always being the first to attack other Republicans. He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!"

KT and I decided to drive around and explore.  We started in Este Park and then headed over to the Rock Cut Brewery (9).  I had a flight and one of the beers was a Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout. I must remember that I do not like any beer that has been barrell aged.  It tastes too much like whiskey and I do not like whiskey.

Two rams were feeding on the side of the road and we were mesmerized by them.

We headed home and just saw lots and lots of elk.  First we found two elk and then we noticed 30 more on the nearby golf course and then we found 60+ crossing a river.  I felt as if we were on safari.

For dinner, we went to get Pho soup which was so plentiful that I kept my leftovers in my car and I drank it for two more meals. It was delicious.

20- W- CO, NE

I left Colorado before noon which was an early start for me.  And it was a beautiful day for a long drive.

I had to wait for this brewery to open but I met my Nevada brewery goal with this brewery: Peg Leg Brewery (10)

21- TH- KS, IN

Blind Tiger Brewery (11)

Brisket meal

Brown vs Board of Education Museum.

Around 7 PM, a local radio station aired a local celebrity who read a night time story to all of us.  The station then followed up with a message to kids to get a good night's sleep.  What a great public service to the people of Indiana.

22- F- IN, IL

Lincoln Library & Museum

I listened to the podcast, The Trial of Frank

23- SA- IL, IN, OH, PA

I drove all day and I was tempted to stop at several places even if only to take photos but I was ready to get home by tomorrow.  So I missed Benajin Harris' home, Wilbur Wright's monument, John Glenn's historical spot, the Indy 500 Race track and other temptations.  I didn't know Indiana had so many interesting spots.

I listened to the podcast, Priest

Kathy texted all of us to tell us that Jaqueline Regan Stoudt was born today.  That's N&N2G#10. The baby looks beautiful and GiGi now looks like such a big girl.

24- SU- PA

For some reason, my phone clock did not update to the EST so I was an hour late when I finally checked out of the hotel.  I was wondering why my car was the only remaining car in the parking lot.

My first stop was the Old Bedford Brewing Company (12).

I listened to Carey Fisher's book, Wishing Drinking.

I drove all day and made it home by 7PM. When I pulled in to my parking spot, I was sad to know that this epic road trip was no finished.

I got home and saw that the elevator that was broken for a week before I left is still not working. And a second elevator is now down.  So we are left with one working elevator at the back of the building. The building manager abruptly left her position. The garage door still isn't working but I saw a notice that the coffee machine is back up and running.  I pay a fortune to live here and the place has become a shithole.

25- M- PA

I didn't know what to do with myself today.  I didn't know how to spend my time.  So I just laid around all day in my apartment, being a lazy ass. I did go to the management office and lodge a complaint about the condition of the building.  I told the assistant manager that the place has become a Section 8 building.  She didn't like to hear that.  I did submit two negative reviews on social media.  And I did submit a question on our building portal to see if anyone else was as annoyed as I was.

I had several Amazon packages arrive today. I just bought more shit to add to all of the shit I have in my apartment. Two items had to go back because they were worthless. I have too much shit in my life.

In the evening, I met in the lounge with Steve, Phylis, Jeff, and Debbie to talk about my trip.  Around 10 PM, the fire company and maybe 15 firefighters showed up and charged through the building.  Someone in Apt 134 called in a complaint about an unusual odor.  Nothing was found and the firefighters seemed disappointed.

26- TU- PA

Surprisingly, my garden has come back to life. They were without water for the last 24 days but two days of watering them seems to have revied them.

Sharon held a Great Dames event to announce the new portal and the news was met with wonderful excitement.  People wanted to jump on board immediately.

27- W- PA

I am happy to report that there is a bit more productivity in me today.  There isn't a lot but it is better than nothing.

I got to the movies in the afternoon.  As long last, Wes Andersen's new movie, the Frence Dispather,  has been released.  I think it was supposed to come out right after covid derailed all of us.  So I have been waiting patiently for this new movie.  I liked the story idea and, of course, liked all of the usual actors in his movies.  But I had trouble understanding all of the stories.  And I can't tell if the actors spoke too quickly or that I am not hearing as well as I should but I missed some of the intended plots. I have decided that I am going to make a decision about a hearing aide next year.

28- TH- PA

I couldn't understand why I was so cold in my apartment today as I am never cold in there and I never put the heat on.  But today I was cold and miserable.  Then it dawned on me that it is late October and I left the balcony door open last night.  I guess it's time to close my door for the season.

So my chilled status forced me to go to Gabe's to buy fleece Ugg boots to replace the pair that I wore out last winter.  And I did and I also bought about 10 pairs of sox.  I don't wear sox much anymore because I wear my Uggs nonstop and they keep my feet plenty warm.  But I am going to need them for my trip ti Utah in January and my trip to Colorado in February.  And I bought two pair to wear with my cowboy boots that I bought last February. I think I have enough sox until I check out of life.

I got my invitation to Kathy Flatley's daughter's wedding. I have to RSVP on line.  There is a Friday night Whiskey party, a Saturday evening wedding, a late Saturday night bar event and a Sunday afternoon Eagle's game watch party. 

29- F- PA

I continue to be obessed about my trip to UT with Brian and his family n January. I am focused on the First Aid kit and finding a resonably priced pair of walking shoes that arent too heavy, are waterproof and could be worn in the snow if necessary.

30- SA- PA

Sue texted me in the morning to see if I wanted to come for dinner.  She had chicken salad and tomatoes that had to be eaten tonight or she was going to have to throw everything out.  So, off I went and I was going to bring tupperware to bring food home but didnt as I tight that might ne obnoxious.  And then she brought out a mint, chocolate chip ice cream cake but the cake was really a dark, chewy fudge brownie.  OMG, it was great.

conversation with Joann

Later I watched, Found, a movie about three Chinese females who were givine up for adoption and the struggles they live with e eryday.

31- SU- PA

The Rescue, a movie about the soccer team that got trapped in a cave in Thailand in 2018, was on my agenda today.  OMG, the movie was riveting.  I knew that they all survived but the story was unbeleiveable.  I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time. OMG, I was shaken by the time the movie was finsihed.

Jay sent me a message to tell me that Facebook picked up her step-daughter's exercise program.  She got a huge bump in salary and almost $2,000,000 in FB stock.  Damn, I shoud have gone in to the fitness field rather than education.