Thursday, July 22, 2010

On the Road Again



I really wonder how ol' Willie does it.  Here he is... 162 years old and still pickin', playin', and singin', and spending something like six months out of every year doin' just what he's singin' about up above.  I mean Hell... he played Glastonbury last month, which is to say there's touring and then there's touring.  I'm both amazed and awed.

Which is a sleazy way to intro this post because I'm on the road again myself, headed home.  And I ain't quite as rhapsodic about it as Ol' Willie, either.  As a matter of fact driving is just a chore and not a joy any longer, and I have a fun car.  Feh.

So anyhoo... we're in Terre Haute, Indiana this evening, Tulsa tomorrow night, and home Saturday.  I decided we would break this up in manageable chunks this time... three approximately 500-mile days... beginning with a "shorty" of only 436 miles.  Today felt really strange in that I was at the end of my first leg by 1530 hrs and ensconced in the hotel by 1600.  But here's the deal: I forced the issue by making reservations ahead of time.  We're stopping whether we're ready or not, mainly because I do NOT pay penalties for cancelled reservations or "no shows."  If I hadn't made reservations I might still be on the road...

We're spending our first night on the road in the Terre Haute SpringHill Suites, which is nice enough.  The room is about twice as big as what the Air Force gave me last week.  And at twice the price, too.  Military transient quarters are one helluva good deal.  My digs tonite:



Not too shabby.  There's an Outback steak house just down the road and I went over that way earlier this evening and was disappointed.  Not with the fare, but due to the fact the parking lot was COMPLETELY full, with a couple of folks circling around waiting for someone to come out, get in their car and leave.  I fixed that by whipping into the "take-away" parking... the only three slots available... whereupon a waitress came right out, took my order, and I was on the way back to the hotel with an intermediate stop for beer.

And dinner was good.  Quite tasty, as a matter of fact, but there's a LOT lost when you're eating a filet and snow crab out of styrofoam containers, using plastic cutlery.  And have you ever tried to crack crab with a Swiss Army knife, Gentle Reader?  It can be done, but it is NOT easy.  I'm lucky I still have all ten digits on my hands, actually.  But we did what must be done.

And now we're gonna act like the trailer trash we ARE and go sit out on the curb with a beer and a cigar.

13 comments:

  1. Terre Haute, Indiana? Ain't that where Larry Byrd played some roundball onest? I certainly could be wrong.

    It's easy for Willie. He doesn't drive the bus, and he smokes a lot of pot...makes the trip much more enjoyable.

    Or, so they tell me.

    It's a shame you gotta stop in Tulsa tomorrow. Just sayin'...

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  2. Check and see if any of your so-called readers are nearby the next stop.

    Also; What's the rush to get back to the Casa-immobile?

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  3. He doesn't drive the bus, and he smokes a lot of pot...makes the trip much more enjoyable.

    Heh. Mebbe there's a lesson in there. Somewhere. :-)

    What's the rush to get back to the Casa-immobile?

    I've been "on the road" for a lil over three weeks today. I miss my stuff, I miss my bed, I miss my SPACE. Which doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed myself, because I have. It's just time to be home, yanno?

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  4. I love Outback, but I had a problem with the crab legs.. even when dining in they provided no useful "cracking" utensils... I was forced to use fingers and brute strength which made things quite messy. Still, the food was mighty tasty! I'm glad to see you are doing the trip in segments... pretty smart guy you are!

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  5. Buck, Terre Haute (or "Terry Hut" as we locals like to kid) is only about 70mi due east of my hometown/birthplace right across the border in Charleston, Ill. You will have passed just about 30mi due south as you sped west on the interstate. Eastern Ill Univ is located there. Haven't been back since I returned from New Orleans to settle my Father's estate in 1999. When we lived in Louisville 76-94 We used to get up there quite often to see my parents as is only 3&1/2 hr drive--although you have a time change w. Louisville on EST & Charleston CST. My parents always spent the winters in Palm Springs, but one of her sisters--my Aunt Elsie--still lived there so we often went to be with her for Christmas or brought her back to Louisville and of course always going thru Terre Haute each way every time. (She was 20 yrs older than my Mother--which is why my 1st cousins on my Mother's side are my Mother's age. )

    Here you go intruding on my memories, Buck, simply by passing thru Terre Haute!

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  6. When my uncle stays in WF, he stays out at the base, which is very nice - sometimes he collects USAF pens and notepaper for Jesse. She wanted a trash can, but the base lodging folk were mystified by that request.

    Willie's song is used lots and is sleazy/cheesy; maybe you should try Jimmy Buffett's "Magic Fingers" for staying in a hotel.

    If you decide to get off the freeway and take the backroads, we will be home this weekend.

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  7. Sounds like a far more manageable and safe trip Buck. Travel well!

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  8. Yeah, getting in the car and looking at the long road ahead sometimes is a pain by yourself. Other times -- thank GOD you're by yourself!! :)

    Hotel room looks very nice, hope you got some good rest.

    I understand about wanting to be home -- must seem quiet, tho, without all the kids and family. But was so nice to see them all.
    Be safe.

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  9. Staci: I will!

    Alison sez: I love Outback, but I had a problem with the crab legs.. even when dining in they provided no useful "cracking" utensils...

    The Outback in Sumter, SC provided the usual, customary, and reasonable cracking tool. How odd that yours did not, what with you being in close proximity to the shore and all that! I did the brute strength thing, too. Such as it is... ;-)

    Virgil: I'm glad to have been of service!

    Lou sez: If you decide to get off the freeway and take the backroads, we will be home this weekend.

    I love ya to death, Lou... but I'm gonna be lookin' for the fastest way home tomorrow. It's time to be home!

    Kris: More manageable, fersure. And we're always safe. That doesn't mean the other guy is, tho. Thanks for the good wishes.

    Kath sez: I understand about wanting to be home -- must seem quiet, tho, without all the kids and family. But was so nice to see them all.

    I was thinking about just that on the road today. I treasure my quiet time, but life seems a lil empty without the grandkids... ALL of 'em.

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  10. Hurry home, pville gone to hell in a handbasket since you've been gone!! Freaky sand storm, a homocide, humidity. I think it's all because Buck's been gone!

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  11. I noticed Willie on the billboard at the Paris Olympia! That bus has got oars...

    $195 for a ticket.

    I decided to go see some frog with an accordian, and his lady warbling about her long lost lover in Algeria or something...

    For $195 I can have 4 days of fun, and a lot of pork chops. Sorry Willie...

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  12. For $195 I can have 4 days of fun, and a lot of pork chops. Sorry Willie...

    He's gotta pay for all that hi-grade weed somehow!

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