  As I prepared to leave Michigan, I pondered the road ahead. I really wanted to head south to see some new places I had never seen and to see some familiar faces that I hadn't seen in way too long. But a quick check of the weather showed me that there were hurricanes headed directly for my southern destination. Now since I've survived one hurricane and ran like Hades from another, I decided to play it safe. So I headed back through Nebraska (hoping there were no sudden tornadoes) and Colorado (where they just had a freak blizzard) to Arizona (where it was still 105 degrees). But hey, what's a road trip without a little natural disaster dodging to spice up the journey?
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books  Whenever I travel I do my best to not repeat an exact route so I can discover something new down an unfamiliar road. So you can imagine my delight when I saw the sign for Funk, Nebraska up ahead. Certainly this town would have James Brown as Mayor, Kool and The Gang as the City Council and Marvin Gaye as Supervisor of the Funk Lagoon. Heck, maybe I could catch Sly and The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, The Staple Singers, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Temptations, The Isley Brothers, The Commodores and The Gap Band jamming at the appropriately named Funk Harmony Park? And for sure the town song just had to be Uptown Funk!
Sadly, I was wrong. But you gotta admit, It woulda been really cool if I was right... 'Cause uptown funk gon' give it to you 'Cause uptown funk gon' give it to you Saturday night and we in the spot Don't believe me just watch Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books   Many years ago I was heading down the highway when I saw the signs announcing Las Vegas. Being somewhat geographically challenged, I naturally assumed I was going right into the heart of the Neon Capital of the World, AKA Lost Wages, Las Vegas, Nevada. So I had to laugh at myself when I realized I was a only 700 miles off in my directions.
Las Vegas, New Mexico is today a quiet little town with a charming plaza. However, according to Wikipedia, it once was even wilder than the other Las Vegas. "The arrival of the railroad on July 4, 1879 brought with it [Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders] businesses, development and new residents, both respectable and dubious. Murderers, robbers, thieves, gamblers, gunmen, swindlers, vagrants, and tramps poured in, transforming the eastern side of the settlement into a virtually lawless brawl. Among the notorious characters were such legends of the Old West as: dentist Doc Holliday and his girlfriend Big Nose Kate, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Mysterious Dave Mather, Hoodoo Brown, and Handsome Harry the Dancehall Rustler."..."Historian Ralph Emerson Twitchell once claimed regarding the Old West, "Without exception there was no town which harbored a more disreputable gang of desperadoes and outlaws than did Las Vegas."' So I'm guessing what happened there didn't stay there? :-) Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books   As a pet sitter, I am always excited when I visit people who have animals they love. And even though this was a quick trip compared to others, I got to spend time with some lovely four legged friends. I have profiled each of of them on my Pet Pals page here, in case you want to see why I pre-furred to spend time with them.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books  If 2020 has proven anything it is that we can't always predict what is ahead. And if every picture does in fact tell a story, then I think this shot is saying that sometimes we can't even see what's right around the bend.
So, where does that leave us? I can only speak for myself when I say that I am cautious about being safe (I thankfully tested negative for Covid upon arriving back in AZ), but I refuse to be afraid to live life. So I do the best each day to make smart choices and minimize the risk to myself and others. And then I plan for the (hopefully) near future where we can all be free to move about the country - and our lives - with unbridled enthusiasm. Because even with all the limitations I faced on this trip, I can tell you that America is still beautiful. And I hope and pray that you are able to see and experience it for yourselves, because as the old saying goes... Pictures just don't do it justice. Stay Healthy and God Bless America Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books  If you've enjoyed this travel e-book then there is more where that came from on my website, www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com. And if you need some more Encouraging Words, then there's three books with that exact name and purpose. You can read all about 'em on my Books link below. And lastly if you are interested in subjects like Health, Humor, Encouragement, Travel, Pet Pals and Heroes, then check out the Topics link below.
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