Two Trips

I have been out of the town the better part of the past week.  A week ago Tuesday I left for Mingo Junction, Ohio.   That is a town on the Ohio River, not far from Pittsburgh, Pa.  The route I took was across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on I-70.  I spent the first night in Columbus, Ohio.  Not a good choice of motels that night however. My room overlooked a parking lot full of truckers.  Their motors were running all night with many of them coming and going at all hours. I did not sleep well that night. I made a note never to stay there again. 

After delivering the van in Mingo Junction on Wednesday I picked up the van I was to drive back and headed back west.  Another driver was behind me so we kept in contact by cell phone and decided to stay in Effingham, Illinois that evening.  We ate at a great Lone Star Steakhouse and had a nice time flirting with the waitress.  (At our age we are allowed to do that. Lol). 

The drive the next day had one thrill in it for me.  As I was passing a semi, one of his trailer tires blew out. It was like a shotgun had gone off right in my ear. Scared me to death for just an instant until I realized what had happened.  I have seen them blow tires before from a distance but never have I been next to one at the time.  There was really no danger as the truck driver just slowed down and eventually pulled over. 

We finally got back to KC early Thursday afternoon and wae were asked to shuttle some vans around town for a few hours. When we finished we were told that we would be leaving the next morning for Sacramento, CA. That is a 1700-mile trip and I was to fly back from there. 

We finally got out of town Friday morning around 11 am and got as far as North Platte, NE for the night. The pictures I have posted are where we stayed, ate, and a local tourist attraction there as well. That night we ate at a place called “Whiskey Creek Steakhouse”.  Yum Yum Yum. It is a chain and if you ever get a chance to eat there do it.  Very good. 

The next day took us on I-80 into Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.  It snowed just a bit near Laramie, Wy but the roads were really not slick. I always enjoy driving past the Great Salt Lake west of Salt Lake City.  That night found us in Elko, Nevada.  It was an ok Comfort Inn and we ate at a casino buffet across the street.  Not a good idea, too much food and not really that good. I know better than buffets but did it anyway. Lol

Sunday was the most beautiful part of the trip.  We came into Reno and then by Lake Tahoe, Ca and through Donner Pass.  The views were most impressive.  Arrived in Sacramento about noon but I was not able to get a flight out that day.  I guess it was the end of spring break and not a flight to be had. Oh, I could have gotten one for $800 one-way to KC but decided my company would not like that. Lol So… . I spent the night in Sacramento and flew out the next day.  Finally arrived home on Monday around 9 pm. 

On one of the flights this lady next to me had to go to the bathroom really badly.  She got up right after take off and they told her she would have to wait until the seatbelt light went off. Well, I told her what to do. When the flight attendant went by handing out the peanuts I told her to make a run for it behind her back. My plan worked like a charm. Lol Anyway, this lady kept falling asleep the rest of the trip. You know how your head drops as you fall asleep sitting up?  Well she kept resting her head on my shoulder. Then she would wake up, jerk her head up and then do it all over again on the lady’s next to her shoulder. This pattern repeated itself the entire trip. When we were preparing to land and she was finally awake I told her I was hurt. She had rested her head on my shoulder 3 times and on the shoulder of the lady on her other side 5 times.  I think I really embarrassed her, but she smiled and laughed.  Lol

It has been a busy Tuesday and Wednesday after arriving home with lots of things to catch up on.  Hope your week has gone well and enjoy the springtime.  Love the green grass and all the beautiful trees and flowers in bloom here. 

Enjoy,

Ed

Where Have I Been?

Has it really been over two weeks since I last was at my sight?? Oh my gosh, where has the time gone.  Busy, busy, busy here, as I am sure you all are.  Since my last post I have been to Columbus, Ohio and Albuquerque, New Mexico.   Both trips went fine.  I guess what I have to talk about is food. Lol

On the way back from Ohio we spent the night in Collinsville, IL. (Just east of St. Louis).  That evening we were directed to a local Greek restaurant. Excellent choice.  There were two Greek items that I had.  The first one was MOUSSAKA (Baked eggplant and potato, meat sauce topped with béchamel) To me it was like a Greek version of lasagna, yum yum.  The other food I sampled was Dolmades  (Grape leaves stuffed with special blend of herbs and spices, topped with Tzatziki sauce and garnished with cucumbers and olives rice,) The name of the restaurant was Fazzi’s.  I would highly recommend it. 

My second food story was while in Albuquerque.   I was at the bar at an Applebee’s.  I often eat at the bar when I am alone. That way I have someone to talk with. On this night I had a very nice conversation with a nuclear chemist.  Anyway, I was eating my Buffalo wings and drinking a cool one when the bartender dropped a large glass of beer on the bar right in front of me.  Oh my, I was totally soaked, not to mention dodging flying glass.  My trousers were soaked and I was too embarrassed to get up and leave with my front looking like I had not made it to the bathroom in time.  Lol The management of course was very apologetic and said my entire meal and beers were on them.  After about an hour, and a few beers later, I was finally dry.  Lol 

Who knows what the week ahead will bring.  Rain and warm weather predicted for here.  Have a great week.

Enjoy,Ed

Spring like weather ahead

I thought I had seen it all.  The place where I often do my walk is in a park near my house. Many people frequent the Park as it has a nice 1-mile trail that goes in and out of the woods and also along a creek. It is a great place to workout in my opinion.  Often I see a lady pushing a baby stroller. No big deal, right?  Well, she actually has a little dog in her stroller. Sometimes the small dog is trying to walk with her on a leash but can barely keep up.  Ok, today on my walk I saw even more. Approaching me was a man about my age, perhaps older, pushing one of those running strollers people use while jogging and strolling their baby. As he got closer I could see not one, but TWO dogs in his jogging stroller.  Each dog was sitting up just seeming to be really enjoying the view.  I asked to take a picture of them but he did not feel comfortable with that I so I did not push it. At first I could not decide if this was absurd or cute.  Knowing how many of us love our pets and treat them as if they were a child in our family I would have to say I think it was cute.

March Madness has begun.  I watched one of the best games of the year so far Saturday when Kansas played Texas in the regular season finale. Now, being from Missouri I am not a huge KU fan but I am a college basketball fan. What a performance by the Texas player Kevin Durant. He is amazing, truly one of the best college freshman, if not overall player to play the game in a long time.  I also have nothing but respect that KU was able to overcome this awesome output by Durant to actually win the game. Awesome job KU, awesome job Texas, and I can’t wait for the rest of March Madness to unfold.  Oh, by the way, to Big 8 (12) basketball fans, the output by Kevin Durant reminded me of a Missouri player named Anthony Peeler. Now I don’t think even Anthony is the awesome player that Durant is but Peeler laid 40 some points on KU back in 1992 that perhaps compares with the game Durant had this past Saturday.  GO MU, GO KU, and GO BIG 12!!

Spring has sprung here and it is 62 degrees out with sunny skies as I type this.  Go out and attack the week ahead.

Enjoy,

Ed