Note: Original Post May 22, 2018.
If your last name is Maness, I’d like to take your photograph and buy you a beer. Here's the back story... My name is Les Maness and I am the son of Charles Maness who was born and raised in De Soto, MO (ancestry here https://ancstry.me/2IGLOer). Although my Dad has passed, his fondness for his home town lives on in me. So, since I will be visiting there and hopefully locating signs with our family name to photograph, I’ve decided to host a MANESS (Long Lost Cousin) Family Reunion on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 6-8 PM at De Soto Pogolinos at 530 N. 2nd St, De Soto, MO. And if your last name is or was Maness, I would like to meet and photograph you for my ongoing book, “Life Is A Highway” (see link https://bit.ly/2J2rKPY). If you think that sounds like fun, please RSVP to me at [email protected] so I can let the restaurant know how many to expect. If you’d like to confirm that I am legit, you can check out my website www.LesManess.com and see my books, gigs, photos, etc.. And as to my opening offer, I’ve set up a $100 tab toward beverages, so the first round for first comers is on me. Lastly, if you were/are related to a Maness, but can’t attend, feel free to email me greetings to your extended family and I will gladly pass them along. Update July 3, 2018: For more posts, photos and links about De Soto, MO, see: 11. MANESS (Long Lost Cousin) Family Reunion Invite. 35. Honor Thy Father. 36. Amazing Places: De Soto, MO. 37: Amazing Places: Pine Mountain Country Coffee House. 38: MANESS (Long Lost Cousin) Family Reunion Photos. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 2, 2018.
In my previous books I joked that travel literally made me more well rounded. But I wasn't laughing when when I got back and stepped on the scale. It was actually kind of scary. So when prepping for Life Is A Highway https://bit.ly/2J2rKPY, I vowed to do a better job of getting to the gym while I'm on the road. And thanks to my insurance provider, all these gym memberships are free for me in Arizona - and hopefully wherever go in the US and Canada. So that brings me to this Public Service Announcement. Most insurance companies either offer free or significantly discounted health club memberships. What's more, some employers offer incentives that will qualify you too. And all you need to do is ask them for it. So whether you are traveling and want to workout, take a swim, hot bath or exercise class, or just shower because you are getting a little ripe, check with your insurance agent or HR department first. You may find you are already on the road to free memberships. Update Sept 1, 2018: I am happy to announce that I was able to stay fairly consistent with my workouts - and more importantly for everyone near enough to smell me, my showers - thanks to these FREE memberships I used in Canada and America. And because of that, I was able to limit my mandatory vacation weight gain to just 10 pounds for the two months plus that I was on the road. Not bad when you consider that my very first two hosts decided take me out for nachos and beer and my diet went straight downhill after that. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 8 at 3:28 PM
One of the best road trip songs of all time is Take It Easy by the Eagles. And if you go to Winslow, Arizona, you'll see that the Standin' On The Corner Park commemorates some of the most famous lyrics from that epic song. "Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me. Come on, baby, don't say maybe I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me. We may lose and we may win though we will never be here again. So open up, I'm climbin' in, so take it easy." So I thought what better way to start my Life Is A Highway Trip Commentary than with a post and photos (see below) that will make you want to hop in and enjoy the ride? :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 9 at 5:58 AM
As I was leaving Winslow, AZ, I saw the 9-11 Remembrance Garden. I think the words on the memorial plaque there describe what most Americans feel. "These two steel beams from the World Trade Center, entrusted to the citizens of Winslow by the City of New York, along with this flag that was flown at the Pentagon, stand as the centerpiece of our Remembrance Garden. The words "United We Stand" remind the world that we will not fear terrorism. We hereby dedicate this Garden to Northern Arizona's promise that 'WE WILL NEVER FORGET'" Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 10 at 5:29 AM
If you like the idea of staying someplace that is truly unique, then you should check out - and check into - the Wigwam Motel, in Holbrook, AZ. The clean, air conditioned teepees are located right on legendary Route 66. And to help transport you back to an earlier, simpler time of the West, there are vintage cars parked throughout the grounds. (See photos below). It is little wonder that it is written up in many roadside America sites as a place to see. And, of course, just writing about it reminds me of a joke. A guy ask his Doctor to help him diagnose his sleeping problem. He says, "Doc, all I do is dream about tee pees and wigwams, tee pees and wigwams, tee pees and wigwams". The Doc replies, "Well then, I know what your problem is....You're two tents." :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 12 at 11:39 AM
I met two photographers when I passed through Pagosa Springs, CO last year on my On The Road Again trip from AZ to Nova Scotia. I liked Gary Musgrave of Musgrave Wildlife and Wood and Sarah Curry so much (those stories here https://bit.ly/2y6Njxz and https://bit.ly/2JpS62u) that I hoped to see them again this year on my Life Is A Highway trip. And fate smiled on me because I got to see them both. Gary and his lovely honey, Patti were kind enough to host me and tell me a little bit more about this cool mountain town. The San Juan River runs right through the middle of it and offers The Great Pagosa Hot Springs to help soothe mind, body and soul. And places like Riff Raff Brewing Company and the new Riff Raff On The Rio provide excellent food and beverages to add to the experience. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 13 at 9:19 AM
I happened to see a video like this https://bit.ly/2Jtsuhi of someone driving the frighteningly narrow, one lane Skyline Drive in Canon City, CO. So of course I had to do it. And while I'd love to say I drove as swift and sure as that driver in the video, something about being only two feet away from my own screaming death made me just inch along at snails pace. The good news is that no car came the other way during the journey, so I didn't have to back down the sheer drop, knife edge ridge. The bad news is I almost needed a change of underwear. Too much information? :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories Original Facebook post June 14 at 1:14 PM
As I once posted https://bit.ly/2MqCgCB, I parked under a sign for hours in Dateland (AZ) and didn't get one romantic overture. So I thought certainly a place like Loveland (CO) might bring me better luck. But nooooooo. The closest I came was a generic sign I thought was flirting with me. Sigh. Oh well, maybe there's a town called "Sure Thing" I can visit? :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories |
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