Fort Collins Day Off

I spent a quiet day with Lynn and Lucy The Elusive Kitten. Lucy and her human went out for a walk and practiced hiding in grass and bushes and climbing trees. The blonde-tailed squirrels took exception to the goings on and dropped the odd acorn from a safe distance above.

Lots of bicycles in Fort Collins. In all, a very pleasant place to be.We went into Old Town again. Dangerous place to be. We visited an olive oil bar and a spice shop. Needless to say, I bought some olive oil,  some vinegar, and some peppercorns. I didn't go too crazy because I am concerned about how the oil, especially, would travel. I suppose I could just pour it into the engine and drain it when I get home.

I did some paperwork related to the Miata event while I had access to a real computer, so thanks Lynn for that.

Tomorrow it's off to Pavillion, Wyoming to see my cousin Elsie and her pet jackrabbit.

Nebraska and Colorado

Needing gas, I stopped in a small town in Nebraska and found Burgie's Diner. Mission accomplished.

This morning started dark and stormy in Kearney, but after about 45 minutes, the skies cleared and it was lovelier all the way into Fort Collins. I cut a corner of Wyoming on my way, where the speed limit is 80. I'll be in Wyoming day after tomorrow so more of that anon.

After Burgie's, I headed back to the interstate, and on my way crossed Route 30. Now, Route 30 runs through Paoli, Pennsylvania, one block from my house. If I had turned right and continued on for 1,800 miles, I'd be home

I'm in Fort Collins, CO tonight visiting my First Niece, Lynn. We walked to Old Town and had a tasty dinner and two even tastier desserts at Enzios. We ate outside and were actually chilly by the time we were done. Fortunately, the walk home settled our dinners and warmed us at the same time.

Lynn echoed the thought that my friend Steve in Illinois had shared, that mine was not merely a cross-country journey in a Miata. It is also an impetus for people all across America to clean their houses. I must say, I am staying in some fine houses with some fine, fine people.

It's Still There!

Fort Kearney State Historic Site
For those of you who were fortunate enough to experience my design presentation during one of the NPS Web classes, it's still there! The "it" in question is perhaps one of the best examples of uninviting design anywhere. My son Jon took a picture of this in 1999, knowing how much I loved dreadful design. I don't recall what the original medium was, but it has been updated as photo etch on aluminum. It is good to know that they did retain the all-caps and the full, wall-to-wall justification from 15 years ago. After all, preservation is what historical sites are all about. All that, plus the deadly-dull text. Alas.

In other news, I wimped out tonight and am staying in a nice motel. Last night, rather, this morning, the six gentlemen in the next campsite had a rather long and lengthy discussion about whether one of them was, in his remarks, disrespecting another's daughter and his unborn grandchild. Neither had a very deep bench in terms of invective. They were pretty limited to F you! No! F YOU, MF!! Amazingly, this exchange of ideas began about 2:30 a.m. and lasted until about 4:00, at which point, they all got into their pickups and departed, sans tents. I assume that they'll return today to retrieve them, but they had not done so before I left. So I felt I owed myself a silent night. Besides, Nebraska this evening is warm and humid and did not augur well for a good night's sleep.

Yesterday Bergy turned 70 (thousand miles.) So here we are, two septuagenarians hurtling together through the heartland. Peace out.

Tenting Tonight

I'm all set up for tonight.  Prediction for thunderstorms.  How exciting! This is a beautiful spot. Now that the sun has gone behind the happy little clouds, it's cooled off and the breeze is picking up. My tent is staked down...! Don't know how to post pix to Blogger on my phone so you'll just have to wait. Besides,  since I am out in nature, I feel duty-bound to abjure technology for the nonce.

A Contest!

Now west of the Mississippi.

Spot A Miata!

As I've been driving, I've been wondering where I'll see the first other Miata headed for the Miatas at Laguna Seca event. The event is being held September 5 - 7 at Laguna Seca near Monterey, CA. 1,600 Miatas are expected, so, at some point as we converge, I'll start seeing them, I'm sure.

So here's the deal: In the comments section, tell me where I'll see the first Miata verified as going to Miatas at Laguna Seca. You can see a map of my planned route in the entry titles "The Plan" to give you a better chance. I only need a locationThe person closest will win a free T-Shirt from the event. All decisions of the judges are final. Employees of Proctor and Gamble are not eligible.

Illinois Fairy House

Today was a short drive geographically but a half-century emotionally. I returned to my alma mater, Lake Forest College, north of Chicago around the corner from Michigan City. As luck would have it, this was the first day of freshman orientation and the place was hopping with eager bright eyes and their misty-eyed parents. Took me back. I climbed to the top of College Hall where the college darkroom was back in the day. No longer. Because what's  a darkroom? The campus has grown, one dorm had sprouted a second story. Lots of rain and Philly-style humidity, but it was good to look around and remember back in the day.

Then I traveled a half-hour to the home of Steve and Suzanne, two friends from the aforementioned day. They had just met when I knew them. Now they've been married 50 years They are really lucky because, in their yard there is this really cool fairy house with a little door and a mirror. And the fairy keeps little trinkets like little horses and stars and hearts and diamonds and other things and the kids in the neighborhood come around and they know, because there is a little sign, and because their friends tell them, that they can take only one thing away every day. And the kids come around every day to check on things and to see what the fairy has left for them. Sometimes as many as 20 kids show up in a day. So yes, they are very lucky that they have a fairy in their garden and because they have eachother.

Michigan City

Brian and Warren After Dinner

Quick day today, 300-plus miles. Visited friends Brian and Warren in Michigan City Indiana. Brian took me on a tour of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Michigan City, both supremely cool places. We also had great dinner from Chef Brian and a peach and berry pie to die for.

Lots of rain and forecasts for more for the next few days. Honestly, I think I prefer that to broiling sun. I'm sure I'll get my fill of broiling sun before this trip is over.

Tomorrow, a short hop around the corner of Lake Michigan to visit my old college haunts and a couple of college friends.