We finally visited a popular attraction here in our historic town, site of the the first major US gold rush, the Consolidated Goldmine. It is truly amazing what is right there, waiting to be discovered!

This time of year there are many little roads here swallowed by corn…

It’s now my breakfast place when in Altoona. Somehow I forgot all about it for decades and then just stumbled upon it again during a ride a couple years ago. I wonder how many more places I’ve overlooked?

I definitely have my cardiologist whispering in my ear when I’m holding a menu in a place like Tom and Joe’s. No more bacon. The occasional eggs, home fries and toast won’t kill me. Considering what my diet was like in the past I’m like a zen master of nutrition now.

Sort of…

It’s a great state of being!

I’ve already lost track of the days and am constantly referring to my phone for the date. Weird.

I remain punctual for commitments but as you say, there are far fewer. I like the “ish” idea. That will allow for a more gentle approach to things.

I definitely recognize the folly of my ways. Am working at being content in the moment and not latch on to anything too tightly and just ride through the moments…

Fathers — we’re an odd bunch. As different as can be. My father worked in a steel mill 6 days a week and for most of the time the 7am to 3pm shift. When he came home he left the job behind and whatever time he had was his own. He was pretty laid back and was content to work on projects at home, help friends, and be a homebody. My mother was the restless wanderer. Luckily for their marriage, he had no qualms with her getting on airplanes or ships and exploring on her own. Odd for the 1950s and 60s but it worked for them.

Good luck with your motorhome dreams. Seems a good way to explore in depth.

If I ever traverse the continent on the Vespa I’ll look you up!

The history I learned in high school was nothing like the history I’ve come to understand today. I read a short interview a few days ago with a historian from some university commenting on the racial issues that simmer on and he said something about when you have a country founded by white men who owned other humans, worked them to death, raped them for their pleasure, is it any wonder that there would be lingering mistrust? Add to that the sort of manifest destiny of the superior people that was brought down on the heads of the native Americans and you get a different picture of country I learned about as a kid.

None of that is to say we don’t have a great country. But we’re by no means perfect. The great thing we have is the ability to grow and change. The only thing that would stand in the way is ourselves if we become hoodwinked by the men and women we elect.

Just one of the many lessons you learn on the road when you ride a motorcycle or scooter and stop off at a historical site right???