The 2018 Road, Day 7: Savouring American Routes

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on June 6, 2018 in Community, Entertainment, Historical, Service Activities, Social, Travel

June 2, 2018, Carthage, IL-

I had a decent night’s sleep, in my premium room at Budget Inn, before embarking on a morning and noon of enjoying some of the International Ragtime Festival, downtown Sedalia.

The Festival is sparked by Scott Joplin’s connection with Sedalia, but many others are celebrated by the Festival: James Scott, James P. Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Gene Greene and Eubie Blake (whom I once had the pleasure of meeting and hearing, in person. Mr. Blake could still play piano and sing, at the age of 90.)

Here are some scenes of Sedalia, on this crisp late Spring day.

Approaching, and inside, the main performance tent, I found a skilled ragtime pianist entertaining the crowd, with both songs and stories of James Scott and Jelly Roll Morton, as well as of john Philip Sousa, whose energetic marches influenced ragtime, as well.

One must also eat, whilst at a festival of this sort, and eating local foods is always preferable. This food truck offered “hand-cut, hand-breaded tenderloin” sandwiches. I got one, with hand-squeezed fresh lemonade. It lasted me the rest of the day. (“Chilli” refers to Chillicothe, MO).

Lastly, this performer was focusing his energies on the work of James P. Johnson.

So, the day was a perfect counterpoint to last night’s confusion and disappointment. I went on to visit a couple, now living in Columbia, who were American Legion friends in Prescott. Then I headed riverward.

The Mississippi, from Hamilton, IL, southeast of Keokuk, IA, offered this sunset.

I had the best of what was left me in my cooler, at the quiet Smith Memorial Roadside Park, in Missouri, just west of Keokuk. Out of respect, I did a bit of clean-up on the property, before eating.

Stopping in Nauvoo, the last residence of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I found that it would not have been a good idea to take twilight photos. All the houses are occupied, and a vigilant security guard was there, to warn away evening visitors. It is a hauntingly pretty place in early evening, though.

The 2018 Road, Day 5: Scenes of White, Red and Green

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on June 2, 2018 in animal and plant life, Community, Hiking and Nature, Social, Travel

May 31, 2018, Limon, CO-

A drive from Salina to Green River, Utah entails being mindful of all things road trip-related. First and foremost of these are gas and water, the latter for both the car’s radiator and for its passengers. Having lived in the arid Southwest for 34 of the last 40 years, I am one of those who does not leave home without plenty of both.

So, after a fine night’s sleep, at Ranch Motel, in downtown Salina, I greeted the motel’s maid (not exactly a morning person) and went down the street to Mom’s Cafe. The hostess was much more cheerful and served up a scrambled eggs, sausage patty and pancakes platter that would see me through the whole day.

After my morning repast, I took a couple of views of downtown Salina.

Prep work for the long day’s drive then took over. I said farewell to the Ranch Motel folks. I really would stay there again. Morning grouchiness aside, they are a nice family. Across the street, Barrett’s Market had ice and a few food items that I needed. NAPA Auto parts had a couple of items for my project to secure the rear panel that is still taped in place, from last October’s mishap, outside Gila Cliff Dwellings, NM. Finally, I stopped at Fast Gas, for the most important item, and I was on my way.

There are several scenic view pullouts, between Salina and Green River. Three of them were my photo stops: Salt Wash, Devil’s Canyon and Spotted Wolf Canyon. A fourth, Ghost Rock, is one I am saving for an extended Utah visit, that will occupy October, 2020. More about that, later.

Salt Wash is the largest of the three sites I visited this morning. Here are a few of the scenes that awaited me.

The top two scenes show the limestone that sits atop so many layers of sandstone, which forms the nearly endless canyons of our region. The various layers are visible, in the third photo, above.

Salt Wash had a sizable display of Dineh (Navajo) art and crafts. I purchased a lovely bowl, as part of my gift for the wedding which is taking me to Philadelphia, in mid-June. When I got to Devil’s Canyon, a few blankets were laid out, with necklaces and such, all lovely, but I had what I wanted. Here are a couple of views from this second viewpoint.

You can see that, with just the passage of a few miles, a slight change in elevation brings a drastic difference in landscape and plant life.

At Spotted Wolf Canyon, the easternmost of the scenic viewpoints, there were no vendors, just a news photographer, out of Salt Lake City, plying his craft. I worked around him, and got these scenes.

This is the beginning of the relentless maze of canyons and eroded bottomlands, that make southeastern Utah, and much of nearby northeastern Arizona, such a major desert trekking haven. I am looking to do justice to Utah’ s great parks and reserves-thus, a plan to spend all of July, 2020, beginning with the Goosenecks of the San Juan River and moving through Arches, Canyonlands and westward, ending at Cedar Breaks.

I made my next stop in Grand Junction, western Colorado’s regional commercial hub, intending to gas up again and get the car washed. The car wash attendant had to manually restart the system, both for me and for the gentleman who came after me. I ended up spending nearly two hours in Grand Junction, with not much to show for it, but the car was clean.

As luck would have it, my second cousin, in Denver, was working and I know my sister-in-law, with two jobs, would likely be unavailable when I got there. So, I stopped in Glenwood Springs and had dinner at 19th Street Diner, a westside spot where another friend works. She wasn’t there, but I was well-treated.

Along the way from Glenwood to Denver, the Colorado River shows its relative health.

It will be a fine day, when this level of vitality is again visible, for the length of this great river. Alas, man must drink.

Wind, furious at times, was my companion from Denver to Limon, Colorado, where I would spend the night. It was a minor adventure, gassing up in the small town of Watkins, just east of Denver International Airport. The clerk inside was blase about the wind- “Well, we are in the Plains.” True enough, and so it would continue, as I moved through Kansas.

The 2018 Road, Days 2-3: Pre-conceived notions, Heart Pancakes and A Warrior Princess

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 29, 2018 in children, collaborating, Family, Personal Values, Social, Travel

May 27-28, 2018, Carson City- I got into Carson City, and a long-time friend’s house, around 10:15, on Sunday night. I’ve been here, each year since 2012, on either Memorial Day or Independence Day. The members of Family S have been like biological family to me, for far longer-since the early 1990’s.

So, a stop up here has been a precursor to my summer time excursions, whether I’m headed northwestward or am eastbound. I’ve known some family members since they were tweens and now am honoured by the presence of Princess B. She will remain off-screen here, per my own policy when it comes to children, but B. is a highly intelligent and imaginative young lady and nobody will lay a hand on her, by my lights- or those of her grandmother, let alone on her parents’ watch.

Monday was spent in study of a Baha’i text that deals with consultation. This is a practice that is sorely needed, not just in this country, but across the globe. How many times have I found friends, even from other parts of the world, not opening their minds and hearts to other points of view? The text I studied yesterday reminds us that no one person has all the answers, nor does any one group. We watched a PBS documentary on the many aspects of warfare, after the study session. Failure to view people outside one’s group, community or nation as human, or worthy of respect, has been the single greatest underlying cause of warfare, throughout history. This is true, regardless of the cause of record.

All day today, Tuesday, I have thought of the world being left to B and her contemporaries, and to my grandchildren, yet unconceived, unborn. She, her grandmother and I enjoyed a lovely Chinese buffet, shopped for things we needed at Target and Best Buy and came back for a “group project”, involving a streaming device and antennas. Then, we enjoyed pancakes, including two heart-shaped gems.

Those of you who have followed me , for the past several years, know that I have regularly come across heart-shaped items, both in natural and urban settings. Here is a view of one heart-shaped pancake, before it was claimed by its rightful owner, our indomitable warrior princess.

This visit was way too short, we all agreed, before B left with her father. Tomorrow, I may connect for a bit with another WP reader, not far from here, before heading across Nevada and Utah. Hopefully, I will also connect with extended family in Colorado and friends along the eastward route. The centerpiece of this trip, my youngest niece’s wedding, looms three short week from now.

The 2018 Road, Day 1: Prescott to Carson City

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 28, 2018 in children, Family, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Travel

May 27, 2018, Carson City-

One of my consistent stops, on this particular drive, is to check on the condition of Lake Mead, a major reservoir of the Colorado River system.

As you can see, the lake’s level is rather low. In a good year, the lake’s water level would be above the first shoreline ridge. It’s been quite a while since the last good year.

I began my journey around 9:20 this morning, then drove to West Side Lilo’s, in Seligman, a town about 1 1/2 hours northwest of Prescott. A Lilo’s breakfast is sufficient for the entire day, so I would need nothing but a bowl of salad, once I got to Carson City, 11 hours later.

I topped off with gas in Kingman, and after the brief welfare check of Lake Mead, zipped through Las Vegas, stopped at Amargosa Valley to pick up gifts at the Area 51 Alien Center, for a little girl up here, and stretched a bit. The rest of the journey, through territory I have detailed in years passed, was very smooth, with little traffic. Coffee at Beans & Brews, on the south edge of Tonopah, was my only reason to stop the rest of the way. B & B is also a staple of my northwest-bound jaunts.

Four hours later, I found my way to this apartment that will be home for the next two days or so. There are a growing number of places that afford me this kind of feeling, and to me, this is the true wealth, to have what feels like family, in each part of the country.

Ahead of me are a one-day intensive training session for a Baha’i course and quality time with the aforementioned child.

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch…

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 26, 2018 in Community, Historical, Social, Travel

May 26, 2018, Prescott-

There’s a whole lot to see and do here in Home Base. Next weekend, for example, a fundraiser for a twelve-year-old boy who was struck by a car, whilst crossing the street to go to a library, will be held, June 3, 1-5 pm, at Prescott Valley’s Anytime Fitness, 6715 E. 2nd St., Suite A.

I want to give a shout-out also, to the unique and fine places that make my life here so blessed: Ms. Natural’s, 318 West Gurley Street, is Prescott’s newest organic restaurant, open every day except Wednesday. Claudia offers fine coffees, smoothies and both vegetarian and cold cut sandwiches. Right down the street is Shannon’s Deli, with a “hot dogs” sign on the door. Shannon’s has lots more than hot dogs- her soups and cheesecake are the signature fare. Right across from the Courthouse are Frozen Frannie’s, with delectable frozen yogurt, ice cream and a variety of baked items, as well as coffees. Next door is Lone Spur, one of several local establishments offering hearty, spill-over-the-plate breakfasts.

Go down Cortez, and you’ll find Chi’s, with what I regard as the best Chinese food in town. At Cortez and Willis is Raven Cafe, my favourite place to go for great music and more organic meals. They have a wide selection of imbiber’s delights, as well. Catty-corner, across Cortez and Willis, is Peregrine Books, Prescott’s largest bookstore, and another venture by the family who own the Raven. Next door to Peregrine is Two Mamas, one of eight Mom and Pop pizzerias in town. T.M. has several signature pizzas, my personal fave being the Pot Roast and Gorgonzola variety.

Now,go back up Cortez, cross the street, and you’ll find Dancing Skeleton, with its large selection of condiments and unique craft items. Further up are Bill’s Pizza, a good thin-crust pizzeria, and the favourite of many locals; Mob Burger, with excellent burgers and welcoming to couples and groups, but not those dining alone; Lifeways, a spiritual-themed bookstore, with a small espresso counter in the back.

The Courthouse lawn is a key gathering spot, especially on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the summer, with live music and dancing. Signs around the outside of the Courthouse detail weekend festivals, of which the largest summer event is Prescott’s Rodeo, one of the country’s oldest, held just before, and during. July 4.

On the west side of the Courthouse is Montezuma Street, also called Whiskey Row. There are plenty of bars there, for those so inclined. Hotel St. Michaels is one of two large Victorian hotels in town, and has a variety of shops on its ground floor, including a lovely bistro. South of Whiskey Row, there are more bars and restaurants, including Far From Folsom, a Johnny Cash-themed establishment, with many of the same musicians appearing, as in the Raven. Bill’s Grill, owned by the same family as Bill’s Pizza, is a popular place for a wide variety of comfort foods.

Going back to Goodwin Street, and heading west, one finds El Gato Azul, a tapas restaurant and also one of Prescott’s most popular gathering spots, of a weekday evening. Park Avenue Deli, inside a liquor store, offers surprisingly good comfort cuisine, though here, too, groups are preferred over single customers. Ditto for Rosa’s Pizzeria, an excellent place for Italian fare, and west of Ms. Natural’s, on Gurley. Rosa’s is always packed with visitors, so call ahead for your table.

Heading out of town, eastward, check out Zeke’s Eatin’ Place, akin to Lone Spur, for belly-bustin’ breakfasts and lunches, in Frontier Village, on the Prescott- Yavapai Indian Nation. Planet Fitness is also there, for an after-meal workout (monthly memberships, from $10.) Picture Show Cinema, up the hill, would round out a Frontier Village excursion.

Finally, in Prescott Valley, north and east of Home Base, find Rafter Eleven, a wine and condiments shop, owned by one of the area’s oldest families. It is at 2985 Centre Court, left on Glassford Hill Rd, then right on Centre Court. Gabby’s Grill, a bit north of Rafter, is my favourite dining spot in downtown Prescott Valley.

That’s it, in a Brazil nut-shell. Hope you can find your way here, some day or another.

Not Throwing In The Towel

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 25, 2018 in collaborating, Community, Family, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

May 25, 2018, Prescott-

An erstwhile friend has decreed today as Towel Day. I will stay on the fringes of these festivities, as that’s how she and her significant other seem to want things. Besides, my schedule, these next two days, is packed- as I will be, by Sunday morning.

School ended yesterday, and for me, it was as successful as 2015-16, and a far cry from last year. I did not limp to the finish line this time. The kids, and my co-workers, will reconvene in a week’s time, for Extended School Year. I will sit that one out, having a major family event in mid-June. The wedding of my youngest niece will bring us all together, and will be one for the books.

As always, I have taken the steps to certify that both my car and I are ready for this year’s long road trip. Vehicle has taken its lumps, but I have repaired most of what’s gone wrong and will tend to the cosmetics over the next day or so. Ditto for yours truly, and while my cosmetics are showing their age, my health care providers aren’t putting me anywhere near the scrap heap. I’m content with what I see in the mirror.

After two, and maybe three, important events here in town, today and tomorrow, I will head northwards, to Carson City, for an annual reconnect with one or more members of my extended spiritual family. From there, the route looks like Utah, Colorado, Kansas, central Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ontario, Montreal, Plattsburgh, NY, Vermont,Massachusetts, Connecticut, West Point, eastern Pennsylvania (especially Philadelphia), Baltimore, Delmarva, Hampton Roads, across Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, southern Missouri, Oklahoma, Amarillo and Albuquerque’s Old Town, before getting back to Home Base-somewhere around July 4.

In spite of all this seems to entail, I have built in a goodly number of daily rest stops, visits with friends and family and good clean fun. My main mode, rain or shine, will be camping along the way and relying more on picnicking, than the heavy restaurant visits of past adventures. There will be a few of those last, though, when I can at least treat those who have been so caring to me, over so many years- and special places in my heart, like Artful Dodger, Cupcakes & Cravings, et al. Porthole Pub, in Lynn, MA., is slated to close soon, making way for some sorely needed luxury condos. (Wonder how we’ve gotten along without them, all these years!) I ought to prevail on a few family members to pay a last visit to Porthole.

Whether here or there, my Faith is essential to keeping me going, on a daily basis. So, one of the events this evening is faith-based, several of the people with whom I will visit, in the coming weeks, are my fellows in faith and the Baha’i House of Worship, in Wilmette, IL falls into the middle of my outbound itinerary, as is only proper.

One way or another, I will maintain a daily presence here- letting all my peeps in on what’s going down, as in the past. After all, there are plenty of coffee houses and such, along the way- and Good Sam Parks are reliable with WiFi, to boot. Instagram, a gift of the above-mentioned erstwhile correspondent, remains on my network. One keeps the baby, while waving farewell to the bath water.

Peace, At Last?

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 19, 2018 in Community, impediments, Personal Values, Social

May 19, 2018, Prescott-

I reeled, a bit, at the latest slaughter on a school campus. Truth be told, there isn’t much more room for me to be knocked over, anymore. What the alt-right can’t refute, it denies completely. Yes, every time innocent kids are killed, my mind goes back to Sandy Hook, and the imbeciles who threatened a man who took in other people’s children and hectored the families of the slain. I was angry enough, at that time, to go to Connecticut and dare them to continue with their outrageous attacks. In the true sense of justice, they’d have faced charges of accessory to murder, after the fact.

I stayed put, here in Arizona, and while time has tempered my anger, it has not changed my view. There was more than one killer, in Santa Fe, TX, yesterday. The adults who bullied the young man who took so many lives (13, at last count) are just as guilty as he. in addition, anyone who does him the disservice of excusing his actions, is an accessory to murder after the fact. He gave himself up and, at least for now, is showing the courage to face justice for his deadly behaviour.

The larger question, ever since the Texas Tower slaughter of 1966, has been preventing the mentally ill from owning, or even having access to , any kind of deadly weapon, let alone a firearm. I know there is a Federal law that allows confiscation of a weapon that has been specifically used to threaten the life of a person, because Bureau of Indian Affairs police seized three guns from a man who had stated he would kill another man, back in 1998. I know this, because I made the call that brought them into the matter.

I have been told, by my Congressman, that there are a number of state and Federal laws that also regulate the possession and use of firearms by those not of age or of sound mind. This is all well and good, but this passel of laws needs to be uniform. Otherwise, the many loopholes and jurisdictional disputes that allow illicit access to weapons- by people not affiliated with gangs or other criminal elements, but who are nonetheless a danger to self and others, will continue to find the path to mayhem all too enticing.

This leads me to mental health and bullying, which will be the next topics of discussion on this issue.

Forthcoming

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 11, 2018 in collaborating, Community, Personal goals, Poetry, Social, Striving

May 11, 2018, Prescott-

Answers are trickling in.

I am a “go”,

in this pos,

next academic year.

My presence is needed,

at Saturday’s Prescott Valley Days,

in two different booths.

What was supposed to go

to a friend here,

was sent to a family member,

in another state.

This will delay things,

by three days.

Life goes on.

People who express

terms of endearment

to me, do the same

for many others,

and why not?

We all need it.

Life is awesome.

My itinerary for

the first leg of

this summer’s journey

remains up in the air.

No worries,

my concern is

with this weekend

and the next two weeks.

Life needs presence

and a sense of urgency.

I Know (The OTHER 99%)

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on May 10, 2018 in Community, Personal Values, Poetry, Service Activities, Social, Striving

May 10, 2018, Prescott-

I know that there is no one place on Earth, where the sunrises and sunsets can’t be spectacular.

I know that there is much to do, in any community, whether one is a resident or a concerned visitor.

I know that there is no time or occasion, when the flag or anthem of this country is being presented, that I will not stand and either salute or place my right hand over my heart.

I know that there is no time or occasion, if I am visiting another country, and its flag or anthem is being presented, that I will not stand in respect.

I know that if I come across anyone in distress, anywhere, I will do everything in my power to secure help and relief for that person or those persons.

I know that there is no work day that is unimportant, whether it is a regular academic day or truncated schedule. Each day’s routine and challenges deserve to be met.

I know that there is no “day off”, where I can throw all caution to the wind, ignore those around me or pretend I am the only one who matters.

I know there is no legitimate bill for services that can be just ignored.

I know there is no honest work that deserves to be denigrated.

I know there is no sentient being that is unworthy of love, at some level.

	slmret on False Equivalence
	Patty Wolters on Limits of Responsibility
	Sagittarian Seeker on Limits of Responsibility
	Patty Wolters on Limits of Responsibility
	Sagittarian Seeker on Limits of Responsibility

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