Cruising along...and getting stuck in the snow...well it wasn't ME! (from Saturday, May 29th)

Masayuki enjoying the view of the Uncompahre River from the balcony of the Hot Springs Inn in Ouray, Colorado. She slept on those hooks because she didn't want to get a reputation by sleeping in a room with two guys.

The alarm on my Blackberry is SO annoying! But I guess if it wasn't, I would sleep right through it. But it's a new day with promise of new adventures...starting with the "free continental breakfast". What a joke that is...some Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes (and probably the knock-off brand, not the REAL stuff), some bread to put in the toaster, and a few rolls. I'll settle for the beef jerky and Famous Amos cookies I have in the truck, thank you very much. After the truck is loaded and a quick stop for a fill-up of gas, which was by the way $3.16 a gallon, its back to yuppieville...err...Aspen. But luckily it's just to the outskirts of town so we can get to the Maroon Bells area and the ghost town of Ashcroft. Before getting ouf of there we will have passed through the traffic circle 4 times...once on the way through the evening before...then back through to get to Maroon Bells about 12 miles down the road...then back from there to the road to Ashcroft which is about 10' away from the entrance to the road to Maroon Bells, but another 12 miles down a different road...then back through to ironically pass the hotel we just stayed at, which is about 30 miles passed the traffic circle. So doing the math....30 miles each way to/from the hotel...carry the 1...looks like about 108 miles of doubling back. So at about 18 miles per gallon...that's 6 gallons at $3.16...I spent about $700.00 in gas going in circles. OK maybe just south of $19.00 but it was worth every minute and every penny. First stop is Maroon Bells. This is another magical place. I remember camping there when I was a kid...near the lake which, when the water is calm casts a perfect reflection of the maroon-hued mountains. They look like 3 bells sortof crunched up together hence the name (pics coming soon to my "Colorado" gallery on my website). They were mostly covered in snow so there wasn't much of the reddish color showing. And the wind was blowing about 98 mph so no reflection today. Just the clearest blue skies and the sound of the running water as the lake empties into the river. The breeze gave the slightly cool air a cold feel, but it was comfortable and not bad at all. I took some pics and then walked up the path along the lakeside, recalling the same walk on the same path many years ago...and many pounds ago...and hair lacking all the grey color...with my backpack full of water and God knows what junk food. I hadn't seen this sight through these eyes in so long, but I remember it so vividly. It was almost like a dream...not the kind where you are back in elementary school in your underwear...but like I had been there just yesterday. So I made a mental note to myself that I will come back here and plan for more time to take the hike as we had done years ago...from Maroon Lake up to Crater Lake. I might need an oxygen bottle and a winch but I really want to do it. So after some pics, reflection, and letting loose a little flatulence (oops) its back to Maroon Creek Road...and back through the traffic circle...and going 10' through it and on to Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft. Have a mentioned that is must be a state law where everyone must own a bike? And they must ride it on the highways? Ok well, there ya go. Anyway on to Ashcroft, another old ghost town and a "must stop" along the way. There are a few buildings left and an old wagon sitting in a field. According to the sign there is some preservation going on, but it appears mostly aged. The old hotel has some new wooden steps and porch on it, but otherwise everything appears to be original timber. The wagon just fascinates me (again, more pics to be posted on my website but those of Ashcroft will be in the Ghost Towns gallery). It is deteriorated badly, but I wonder who may have rode on it, how did it end up in this spot, etc. When I look around these old towns a million questions go through my mind like that...ok maybe I'm exaggerating...more like 700,000 questions but still. After walking around, taking some pics, flatulence (oops, well you know to scare the bears away), and reflecting on the past it's time to get on the road again. So after passing through the traffic circle for the last time the open road calls. We passed through some beautiful country and took the quick side trip to Marble. Not much going on here, but LOTS of marble slabs all over the place. The quarry here produced the marble that is used for the Tomb of the Unknown Solder. A quick u-turn and it's back to the Highway. We stopped for lunch in the little town of Hotchkiss. Danny got an elk burger at a little local restaurant, and I got a cow burger (for a change). While he said it was good, it was obviously a frozen patty which is what we were not expecting. So much for trying something different...he said it mainly tasted like a frozen cow burger. We then headed down Hwy 92 towards Blue Mesa Reservoir. This narrow 2-lane road gave us some spectacular views...and scary too. As many of the other highways around here, one wrong turn and you will not be waking up in the morning. I realize I hadn't mentioned Masayuki yet. Well, she sat in the back and was scared stiff...litterally. After stopping a few places along the way, one of them for me to get my "towering aspen trees" shot (will be posted in the Colorado gallery) we were headed down passed Telluride and to the ghost town of Alta. As we exited the highway and onto Alta Lakes Road, it was soon apparent to Danny that I will go just about anywhere to see what I want to see. The road quickly turns into a steep, one lane, unpaved butt-puckering (that was Danny's term for it) drive up the side of a mountain. The rules of these Jeep Roads, as they are commonly known around here, are that the person going uphill has the right-of-way. If you should meet someone and cannot pass (which most if it was this way) the person coming downhill either has to give way...even if it means backing up. Not something that you really want to do. So as we gain elevation we begin to see snow patches around...then there are some small snow patches in the road...then there are some big snow patches in the road. Not enough to stop me. Then came the point where I realized we were not going to make it to the top. We were at a switchback and could see there was just too much snow covering the road to go any further. Then we see a white Explorer sitting in the road up the hill. I thought they were backing down and we realized they weren't moving. Danny suggested we go see if they need help, which we did. We walked up and saw these women walking around trying to stick rocks under the tires. They had tried to plow through the snow and got high-centered so bad that even in 4-wheel drive they could not budge. There was a couple in a Toyota FJ trying to come down, which they couldn't because these girls had the road blocked. So then I start to think...was the Presidential election controversy in Florida with the "hanging chads" handled properly? After that we tried to push the truck out while the driver gassed it in reverse...then my thoughts turned to "if this thing breaks loose and slided backwards, the next thing it will hit is my truck and they will both be out of commision". But not to fear, that thing didn't budge. We tried jacking it up to put as many rocks under the tires as we could but that didn't work. So then I tried to back my truck up the hill to hook my strap to it and pull it out. Well, I guess the exra pounds from the Nerds just made my ass too heavy to get traction cause I kept getting so far and my wheels would spin. At one point my front tire got close to the edge and I thought Danny was gonna have a heart attack. Not me tho...I knew what I was doing. So after changing my tighty whiteys and taking a deep breath we realized that I just wasn't going to make it. So I drove back down and parked out of the line of fire. So then the decision was made to have the FJ push the Explorer and see if they could free it up. It didn't take much of a push and it was broken free at last. Oh, and that was after the dude coming downhill on the bike said "well, there isn't much I can do for you" and kept on truckin. Gee, thanks for nothing. I was sooooo tempted to get them all to take a pic with Masayuki but I think they had been through enough so I didn't mention it. Everyone got down the mountain OK and I didn't get to Alta. I was very disappointed because I keep reading that this town will be nothing but a memory soon. It is very close to Winter Park where many high-rollers live and word it the property this ghost town sits on is slated for development. I lost all my pictures of the town in Katrina and I was really hoping to get more before it is gone forever. So it's not like I need an excuse to go back to Colorado, but I really want to get to it before someone is parking a Mercedes where the miners bunked a hundred years ago. We passed back through Telluride and stayed in my FAVORITE Colorado town, Ouray. I absolutely love this little town. We checked into the Hot Springs Inn, in which all the rooms have a private balcony overlooking the river. We then drove into town and got some GREAT pizza (for a change) and some ice cold Bud. I quickly forgot about my missed opportunity with Alta and counted my blessings for being back in this town I love so much. It's known as the "Switzerland of America" because of its location in a small area surrounded by mountain peaks. The little bar we ate at was just perfect. I soaked it all in...what a great evening. So when we got back to the room we opened the window and fell asleep to the sound of the Uncompahgre River rushing by just outside...

Masayuki is rollin along...and gets injured...oops...(from Friday, May 28th)

Pic #1: Masayuki breathing some of the fresh Colorado air on Phantom Canyon Road

Pic #2: Masayuki at the "Brass Ass" casino. She didn't win any money...she just couldn't get a good hand.

Pic #3: Masayuki at the top of Independence Pass near Aspen

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I can't remember a time where I slept about 14 hours before...notwithstanding those times after surgery when I was taking pain pills. I don't like them cause they make me feel like I'm on another planet somewhere. I know what you are thinking so don't bother saying it. Anyway after the previous day's marathon 20 hour drive with no sleep and a greasy dinner (big surprise there) I took a shower and the plan was for us to check out the local scene in Pueblo. But once I stopped and put my head on the pillow I was done. We headed out the door about 6:30 a.m. or so and went straight west into the mountains. We hit Phantom Canyon Road...one of those awesome unpaved backroads with tunnels and bridges and rivers and mountains all around. This one was quite tame compared to some I have been on before, and some we hit on this trip (more on that in follow up posts). We encounterd but 2 cars the whole trip. One of them we happen to meet head on at one of the one-lane tunnels. So being courteous I backed up and let them through. The second car came up behind us and again, being courteous I stopped to let them pass me by as I could see the Colorado plate on the front of the car. I figured it was another local that likes to drive these roads at 70 mph but in this case it was a couple from Florida who was heading to the casinos in Cripple Creek. They pulled up along side and asked us if we were lost. I should have said "yes, I was going to the store for some hot dogs and I think I missed a left turn in Albuquerque". But, being courteous, I was polite in saying "no" and told them we were going to Victor and Cripple Creek. They explained they live in Florida and come up to the casinos. Danny tried to inquire as to whereabouts in Florida they live, but they sped off. I guess the "double jackpot points" on the Wheel of Fortune slots were about to end or something. So we pressed on slow and stopped a few places for pics. Danny also inquired about drinking water from a mountain stream so we figured what-the-hell why not? So he did...we were waiting for the cramps or glowing skin and it didn't happen so it must have been OK. We arrived in the small town of Victor and checked out some old mines which are all around town. Then we drove the additional 6 miles to Cripple Creek. This is one of the few towns in Colorado which allows low stakes gambling. And just about every building there is a casino. We decided to grab a bite to eat before pressing on (I got pizza for a change). After manuvering passed the busses which obviously had brought in crowds from the local retirement homes we found our way to Independence Pass which we needed to cross before getting to Aspen. It had just opened from being closed all winter. This is one of the most beautiful drives around and it crests out at over 12,000 feet...and it's not for the weary (I'll have pics posted in my "Colorado" gallery on my photography website soon). There are spots where waterfalls empty onto the roadway...we kept seeing wet cars coming from the other way and wondered what was going on. I had not been on this road in about 28 years or so and it was just as spectacular as I remember it. And just after taking the pic by the sign...well...you see...I put Masayuki in my back pocket because walking over the snowbanks...well...it was a lil slippery and well...I slipped...and fell on top of her and...well...thankfully I had kept that piece of tape holding her head on after I glued it because her head may have gone rolling down the side, gaining speed and snow until she was a 10' snowball barrelling down the side and...oh I don't even want to think about the damage she could have done. Had that happened, I would have thrown her body into the little Subaru next to me that the foreigners were in and said "they did it". So anyway her head is still attached...somewhat...and I'll re-glue it later. We also stopped at the ghost town of Indepedence. Part of the reason for me take this trip was to visit a half dozen or so of these relics before they return to nature. I have a place in my heart for the old towns as they pique my curiosity about how life was back then. It certainly was not easy. No internet...wow...what would we do with the kids? Anyway we arrived in Aspen and damn has that place changed. Way too much big money around there for our tastes. People who saw us driving in my lowly Avalanche probably thought we worked for the sanitation department or something. Lots of Beemers, Mercedes, etc. riding around that town. We walked around a bit and really didn't like it...we felt out of place...so we went to to a town that just sounded more like blue collar..."Carbondale". We checked in the hotel and walked across the street to a little 50's style diner and had a few beers and dinner...and that's about it for the day. See ya!

P.S. Since I was on the east side of the continental divide, (as seen in the picture from Indepence Pass) had her head rolled down the side of the mountain and ended up in the river, it would have eventually wound up in the Mississippi River and ultimately in the Gulf Of Mexico as opposed to the Pacific Ocean had I been on the other side of that sign. Wow...talk about adding insult to injury had her head been tangled up in that oil spill...

Masayuki in Colorado; Don't forget to look down; Reflection

I wanted to scream! I can't stand sitting in traffic and the anticipation of getting out of town just made it that much more frustrating. Finally I get to Danny's apartment and get some relief as he picked up a Little Ceaser's pizza as a pre-trip meal. Who can't be happy about a pepperoni pizza? So with a full belly, tank full of gas, Red Bull, Lemonheads, beef jerky, flatbread (wheat - you know gotta think healthy here), and Masayuki in tow we were headed west. We hit some bad weather between Baton Rouge and Lafayette and it rained much of the way to Shreveport. 10:20 pm and we cross into Texas. About 2:30 a.m. we crossed into CLAY county (holla!). A few Red Bulls and Lemonheads later, we stopped about 4:00 a.m. to take a quick snooze...well we tried anyway. Not really getting any good sleep we pressed on and since we were making very good time (that's what driving without sleep will do) we drove up to the top of Capulin Mountain and got a glimpse of the snow-capped Rockies many miles to the west. At this point I figured it was time for Masayuki to see the light of day. We took a couple pics for her scrapbook so she can prove to her buddies sitting in the box back home that she was actually there. I think there are some trust issues there, but she doesn't really say anything about it. While I did glue her head back on, she still has an "aid" present to keep it in place just in case. Should the glue not stick in this high altitude, I would not want her head to mistakingly fall off, roll down a mountain, and be discovered many years later by an archaeologist who thinks it is a 1000 year old Japanese relic and have history books re-written to show the American Indians were preceeded in North America by Chinese doll makers. Pics to be posted later...I'm too tired to explain. On the way out from Capulin we stopped along the road where there was an old car and windmill that was too photogenic to pass up. While I was walking around taking shots from different angles I was reminded of a rule for travelling in the southwest...don't forget to look down. There are rattlesnakes that might not appreciate photographers tresspassing in their hood to get photographs. Luckily, he knew who was boss here and he quickly retreated to his hole. I didn't stick around long enough to see if he was going down there to get some buddies or a .45 to welcome me to the neighborhood. But seriously tho, rest assured I will play closer attention to where I am walking. A hospital visit is NOT in the plan here. Tomorrow we are heading into the high country via some old twisting and turning dirt backroads. Gonna check out some old mines (from a distance as they are VERY dangerous), ghost towns, and beautiful scenery. Masayuki is a little nervous, but a lil shot of Tequila should take care of that for her.
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I have to say, this trip has been one of reflection and quite emotional. It's only been about a month since Dad has been gone. Throughout this journey I have been reflecting on the many familiar places and recalling memories of the many trips we took through here when I was a kid, and the last trip we made as a family back in 2008. We had so many different vehicles over the years, from the LTD ex-police car to the many vans, motorhomes, and station wagons. We always stopped at the gas station near where the railroad tracks pass over highway 308 in Denton, TX. This was always the spot that I remembered as the "beginning of the adventure" for here is where we bid adieu to the interstate for a long, long time. Hundred and hundreds of miles of two lane and four lane highways, all the way to extreme northwest New Mexico where we would jump on I-25 and head into Colorado. When I passed that station yesterday what I saw was a dark, closed station with no one around. But what I saw in my mind was my Dad pumping gas into the old Rockwood motorhome while I waiting inside for him to come pay for it so I could get more junk food that I didn't really need because we had plenty already. I remembered riding in the bed that was over the van chassis and looking out onto the plains of Texas, waiting for a train to pass to add some excitement to what, at the time, was pretty boring. I certainly don't think the same when I make the same drive now. I was looking for the picnic area just before Decatur, TX but I think it is gone now. They are widening the road to a divided, 4 lane highway instead of the old 2 lane it was forever. I was heartbroken to see that it appears to be gone (I'll check when I pass in daylight on my way back). I remember so many stops there to eat lunch. We even stopped there in 2008 and it looked the same to me as it always did. To me, it was a sacred place and if it is gone I will feel as tho a small part of me has gone with it. Driving through the small towns along Hwy 287 I recall the places we ate. I'm sure we hit every Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen along the 400 or so miles of it. Another special place for me is the park In Dumas, TX. We used to take a break from the road, eat some sandwiches, and swing on the swings. It was a nice chance to run around a bit before the last push onto New Mexico. I remember looking out the window from my high vantage point in the motorohome; the bed above the van-front end in the class "C" Rockwood. This was the best seat in the house. I could see so much from up there; the rows planted in the farmland that made patterns that seemed to "flicker" as we passed them at 65mph; the old farmhouses off in the distance; the never ending highway that seemed to fade into the horizon as the heat from the blacktop blurred the line between land and sky. One of the biggest thrills was waiting for Capulin Mountian to come into view from behind Sierra Grande. As the highway snakes around this mountain, which by the way is the largest "single" mountain in the U.S., it strategically hides Capulin until you get to the northwest side. The very top of Capulin is the first view, and because of my vantage point I was able to see it first. As we rounded the mountain more and more of Capulin is there until alas, the whole beauty of this extinct volcano is there for the weary traveller to see. We always stopped and took pictures even though we had taken then from the same spots so many times before. As we came upon her today I felt the same anticipation and excitement as I always had. I was waiting to get that first glimpse of her summit and as usual, she was there as she has always been. I drove up to the top and looked out at the Rockies in the distance and remembered seeing this same view through these same eyes that were a bit closer to the ground back in the days (hey I was short, what can I say). But a piece of me was missing. This was the first time I had been up there without my Dad. Mixed emotions to say the least, as this has been as much a travel back in time as it has been a new adventure. Knowing my Dad had seen these same sights for 35 years in a row and how it never got old to him makes me appreciate these same sights today and that is never gets old for me. He loved this and I have acquired that same love, although it took me years to realize it and see everything around me, not just look at it. So tomorrow again I am going places that I have not been to without my Dad being present. Having Danny along is a big help as we talk about things and it keeps my mind occupied. And, well, I guess I'm not totally without my Dad on this trip. I am wearing a ring of his that his mom gave him when he was 16 years old. It's a small ring with a "C" on it, but it is larger than life in meaning to me. I'm off to get some more sleep. Thanks Dad for introducing me to the beauty that this wonderful country has to offer, and for the years of great memories we had exploring it. I will pick up where you left off and continue the journey...

Inside Job

Well...I guess I can't blame anyone but myself. Maybe I should have waited to start talking about those ugly gifts. Maybe I should not have told anyone I was going out of town. Maybe I should have taken my key back from my sister's house. Maybe I should have burned all those ugly gifts when I had the chance. I arrived home from work today, thankful to see no Santa on my porch, toilet paper in my trees, or the rubber arthritic see-through hand stuck to my front door. But, as I walk inside...damn! Right there on top of my suitcase...well...you can see the pic. The first thing I thought of was...I would like a vanilla wafer. But the second thing I thought of was "those suckas done got my family involved in this racket". So I stopped by my sis and of course she "tried" to act all innocent, but the smile on her face told me otherwise. Besides, she has a key and lived 2 doors down so who else could it be? I didn't see any broken windows so I knew she either put it there or let them in. So after holding her little doggy Prissy hostage, she confessed. Revenge shall be mine and now my only, OLDER (of course...duh) sister is in the mix.

More to come from the road soon. Oh, and by the way, Masayuki is repaired (somewhat) and she is ready to roll! See ya soon!

P.S. Cat, I didn't mean any of that. Thanks for getting my mail and watering my plants. Or should I wait and thank you when I get back, just in case you water my mail and get my plants?

Masayuki loses her head **WARNING: GRAPHIC PICTURE **

So after going to the grocery, also knows as visiting "Wally World" I got the truck all washed up for the road trip. That is one of those crazy little things that I MUST do. I can't go on a road trip with a dirty truck, knowing full well that I'll be hitting some dirt roads and it will be filthy in no time. Call me crazy but it is what it is. When I got done with that, it was time to head to my sister's house for some birthday celebrations. And of course, Masayuki made an appearance and was gonna take some pics with the birthday boy and girl. BUT...I left her on the kitchen table and I went into another room then I heard those dreadful words..."oh no". I figured either she prematurely went for the cake or she was shattered to pieces. Then word reached me that she tipped over and her head fell clean off. It just rolled around the table like a marble...well a marble with an ugly hairdo. I thought it was a joke at first but as you can clearly see in the picture, it is true. At least she did not share the same fate that Mrs. Claus did at my 40th birthday party. Thanks to my great friends I received the "ugly gifts" in front of my friends and family. All I could say was "I'll have to explain this to you all". Then gravity somehow grabbed a hold of Mrs. Claus and she was history. So Santa makes his way through the world, landing on porches and hiding in closets, as the merry-go-round of ugly gift re-giving keeps on happening. At this point Masayuki will be repaired, either by crazy glue, duct tape, or both. Whatever it takes, she is coming with me on this trip, head or no head. So fear not folks, there will be updates with her travels as originally planned. That's all for now..there will be plenty more when I get on the road real soon.

A great quote I recently received via email: "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." Wow that is so, so true if you think about it.

Masayuki joins "guys night out"

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Pic # 1 (standing) Mike, Shawn, and me (sitting) Danny, Chris (with his hand wrapped lovingly around Masayuki - keeping her safe), and Craig

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Pic#2: Our GREAT waitress Dena and our chick Masayuki.

So today started out with a trip to my old stomping grounds in Chalmette, La. I didnt venture too far in, just to the funeral home and to Discount Tire to get the tires rotated and balanced on the Avalanche for the upcoming road trip. Ate at Wendy's (spicy chicken nuggets are the BOMB) and headed back to the North Shore. All that rain we had on Sunday and Tuesday seemed to do nothing for the flowers in the garden so I watered them before they hired a lawyer and sued me for abandonment. But then again...damn...it's Friday so I guess they could use a little attention. Looks like the grass can use a cut too but that will have to wait. With the watering out the way I stopped by my Mom's to drop off some paperwork and headed to get the oil changed in the truck. Two things done before the road trip and now it's time to head over to the Beach House bar in Mandeville to get together with the guys. Of course, I HAD to bring Masayuki along for her first night out in 6 months. She's been couped up in the house so I had to get her a night on the town before she hired a lawyer and sued me for abandonment too. And what a fantastic night it was. The 6 of us went to school together...and not just high school. Throughout points in elementary, middle, and high school we were together, and now many, many years later here we are all having some beer and talking about where our lives have taken us since way back then. Band practice has given way to jobs, wives, ex-wives (not you Shawn) and grey hair (well, just me). It was an absolutely great night and I'm looking forward to the next go round (who's buyin next time?). And damn...the Beach Burger with bacon is slammin! Masayuki really didn't have much to say...could be because she spent most of the night in my camera bag. But she really did enjoy being in Chris' hand for a few minutes. Most action she has had in a long, long time (that I know of). Could be like Toy Story...when I leave for work she could be partying with the Precious Moments dolls. I did notice that some of the vodka was missing....hmmmm...

SPECIAL THANKS to Dena for taking care of us and being a great sport and letting me take a pic with her and Masayuki.

So...who knows where Masayuki will wind up next...stay tuned...

Meet Masayuki...the one-handed Japanese woman "made in China"

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Pic #1: Me (dig the long hair) and Masayuki moments after our introduction.

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Pic #2: Masayuki posing next to her half sister who goes by her Indian name "Hair that looks like a squid coming out of my head".

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For the entire picture library of her travels visit my website at www.clayisbell.smugmug.com and look for the "Where in the world is Masayuki" gallery.

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So...Christmas 2009...a time of caring and sharing. A time for celebration. A time for remembrance. A time for giving hideous and vulgar gifts. What would Christmas be like without ugly gifts? So it was then that I was introduced to Masayuki (which means "happiness" in Japanese). We had a lot of fun, especially when we hid all of the ugly gifts bestowed upon us that night in strategically placed areas around Pam's house. Some were hidden better than others and they were all eventually found...and after calling all of us some choice words the retaliation began. I arrived home after spending the New Year in Austin to find my long lost Japanese bombshell on my front porch with a note (I will keep this blog "PG" so it shall not be repeated here). As an added bonus, my rocker was removed from my porch and was in my driveway, and seated on it was the ceramic "Santa" that has been passed around quite a bit (more on him later). Alas my porcelin skinned sweetheart was home with me. So there she has sat on my dresser for months...awaiting her fate...who's house would she go to next? Of course all this time I'm plotting my next move...who gets her and how? Mr. Claus has been painted to represent Tulane University, Peyton Manning, left on lawns, in trucks, and in closets and was recently dressed in a Saints jersey with a bag on his head. So I had been cooking up some ideas (I won't share them here 'cause I still might need them) until I thought about this: I'll take her on my travels and document it. I'm preparing for a road trip and I'll have her along for the ride. Who knows where she will go or people she will meet. For that...stay tuned to this blog. For now, she has only been to Mandeville and Abita Springs (at least since I got her). I'm sure before she came to me she spent a lot of time cramped up in some shipping container on the Pacific Ocean on a Russian vessel with a French crew. At least now she has some air conditioning and doesn't have to deal with those pesky rouge waves.

So...to Lisa, Chris, Chris, Stacy, Pam, Kenny, Melissa, Anthony, John, Shawn, Rob, Tanya, Erin, Vincente, Dale, and Jen...just because Masayuki is coming with me on my travles don't even think for a minute that I don't have a replacement for her. Will Christmas come early for you? Maybe, maybe not....more to come.

If you like ghost towns as much as I do, check out the website www.rockymountainprofiles.com