Quick Takes

The next time you drive (or ride) by a place that causes you to say "I'm going to stop there some time," don't just say it - do it!  You might just find some huge ceramic pigs. Maybe even a pink one.

Antique Emporium of Deadwood.

Or, if you dig deep enough down in the box, you may just find that still sealed Star Wars Storm Trooper Pez dispenser you didn't know you always wanted.

On another subject...I have decided I like girls in hats.  Any kind of hat. Or cap.  I'm not sure I know the difference.  I've been seeing a trend lately, or maybe just noticing now where I didn't before.  In any case, girls with hats are cool.

I think I'll buy some fireworks this year.  It's something I haven't done in recent years.  No special reason to do it this year, other than you just never know when you might need a smoke bomb or a bottle rocket. Ok, so nobody ever really "needs" a smoke bomb or a bottle rocket, but they can be kind of fun to have around.

Went up to the storage shed the other day and brought home all of my old record albums.  Wow.  I had forgotten how many I still have.  Can't wait to get the turntable and Lux receiver (circ. 1975) hooked up again so I can play some records.  There's something about hearing those classic bands on vinyl.  It's crisp, clean, raw.  Not over-processed and with too much bass like most CDs and digital music you hear today.  I'm telling you - you've never been really in the groove until you've heard Cheap Trick, Jackson Browne or the Doobies at 33 1/3 rpm.

One more thing...I'm leaving Sunday on a road trip to see an old friend.  I plan on making a few stops on the way to take some photos and possibly pick up a few post cards.  (They still sell post cards don't they?) 1300 miles round trip with no air conditioning, no cruise control, and no radio.  Just me and a liquid cooled horizontally opposed 6 cylinder power plant that will do just fine against pretty much any run-of-the-mill common V-Twin out there.

Here's hoping for a a little adventure and some smooth sailing.  So Fins Up...and I'll see you on the other side!

385

A lazy Sunday is the inspiration for my first post on this blog.  And the subject is Highway 385, which is evidence that you don't always need to go far to find your road.  It always surprises me how, after living in this area for 30 years,  I can still discover new things and find places where I've never been before.

Our first stop (my wife was my companion on this short excursion) was Strawberry Hill picnic ground.  I had been there several times before, but even repeat visits to familiar spots can provide fresh experiences.  It was Fathers Day, and we encountered a young father with his wife and two daughters who were having a great time dangling their fishing line in the small lake, anticipating the "bite."  There were smiles all around.  It's good to know that some fathers still think it's ok to take their daughters fishing.  Something tells me that's not as common as it used to be.  

On the other side were two young boys with their box of worms and fishing poles that were too big for them, but having great success just the same.  I noticed there was no father with them.  But mom was there, laughing along with them and sharing their pure joy each time they landed another 5-inch trophy.  The fish may have been small, but they put up a good fight.  

Continuing down the road, we came to the Sugar Shack.  This place has been there for years, but I only discovered it earlier this Spring on the advice of friends.  The sign says "Best Burgers in the Hills," so I asked the owner who happened to be there if that was true.  He replied "...in the WORLD."  I admire his confidence, and must admit it was a pretty damn good burger.   As we drove by this time, I noticed a similar mix of visitors that I had seen the first time...motorcycle riders ranging from dirt bikers dressed in their racing uniforms to leather-clad V-Twin owners.  From retired folks with their big coaches to dad, mom, little Billy and little Suzie in the family truckster.  And, of course, the "locals" who looked at them all with part amusement and part disdain.

A little further down the road we came to a long abandoned rock shop. The main building was in total disrepair, and out back was an old barn filled with interesting looking debris...and the smell of a dead animal, although I didn't investigate to make sure it actually was a dead animal and not a decomposing human body.  It was a perfect opportunity to trespass and do some unauthorized exploring.  But I didn't go in. I had an uneasy feeling that I shouldn't be messing around there.  Now if it was 1985 and I was a Goonie I would have just charged right in.  Because Goonies never say die!

Now the rain started coming down...getting heavier as we travelled further south to Hill City, where we enjoyed some great food and a cold beer at the Bumpin' Buffalo.  And I do mean COLD beer!  If every bar or restaurant would serve their beer this cold the world would be a better place.  Highly recommend this establishment!  Try it.  Just don't be hanging around on Main Street during the Wild West performance.  You might get shot. If you haven't heard about that deal yet, check the local papers.

One more thing before I close.  If I could live in a forest and choose the name of the street where I live, I think it would be something like this........

 

No. Let me rephrase that. It would be exactly like this.