  My hosts took me to a cowboy charity auction in Pagosa Springs, CO. As part of the event, Bobbie Nell Leonard sang and her husband, Mike Leonard sang and recited original cowboy poetry. I was so impressed by them that I offered to do a quick photoshoot right there. What a wonderful opportunity it provided to get to know these two delightful entertainers better! If you would like to see additional pictures, check out my Photo Galleries page here.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  My hosts took me to the 10th Anniversary Party of Riff Raff in Pagosa Springs, CO. While the weather outside was a little intense, it was all good in the big tent set up for the occasion. The party featured terrific bands all day and night long, including a crowd favorite, Bo DePeña who metaphorically did what the storms couldn't do - blow the roof off!
Note: See all Pagosa Springs posts here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Even though the haze from the Canadian fires had found its way down to Westcliffe, CO, I was able to get this one cool shot of the mountains behind this pasture. To see a better representation of how gorgeous this town and its neighboring city Silver Cliff, CO really is, check out the cover of this travel ebook here and my previous travel book cover here.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  When my adventurous hosts suggested we "go to school" to eat, I was expecting lunch ladies and cafeteria food, not this. The gorgeous School House Kitchen & Libations is located in Historic Olde Town Arvada inside an original 1882 schoolhouse. You can dine in the massive library seated at literal "periodic tables" or chill in the classy upstairs Teacher's Lounge. And best of all Ladies, men are comically reminded to lift the lid up when viewing the "I will not pee on the seat" that is repeatedly written on the Men's Room chalkboard.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories   On my last night in Colorado, the sky was a "perfect" storm. We were treated to ominous clouds, lighting flashes and rumbling thunder as we warmed ourselves next to a bonfire. I jokingly thanked my wonderful hosts for going all out to arrange such "special effects".
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I began Part 4 of my Living In America road trip on May 26, 2023 by exploring some of the famed Lincoln Highway. It was the first transcontinental road in America and it stretched from Times Square to The Golden Gate. Sidney, Nebraska was my initial stop for several reasons. First, I needed a great cup of coffee from Beans and Steams. Secondly, I wanted to see the National Pony Express Monument. And lastly, I just had to take a photo of Toots because the name made me chuckle.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  As I've said before, I have a thing for unusual or funny names because I was born with both (yeah, my name rhymes). And Sidney, NE on the Lincoln Highway didn't disappoint. First, there's Dude's, which is what kids call everyone now. But don't let the name fool ya because inside the comfortable, vintage steak house is a retro glamour dance bar where dude's and dudettes can shake it like a polaroid picture. And secondly, there's a place you can "Chill Axe" (with an actual axe) right before you Git'n Split outa town.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out there's some really cool things to see in Nebraska. You just gotta drive the backroads. And that's exactly how my stellar host and I discovered the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, NE. It holds one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts. It has a 300,000-square-foot museum that features a glass atrium, a 200-seat theater, two aircraft display hangars and other missle-aneous amenities. And the Museum's Education Department is committed to educating children in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Along the backroads of Nebraska we discovered The Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. It had everything you can imagine including an aquatic center, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, hiking and biking trails, treetop ropes course, indoor rock climbing, stunning views and more. But the two things that impressed me most were the Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower, which was so high it actually swayed slightly in the wind, and the John Wayne Stables where we spotted this cute miniature horse that might have fit in big John Wayne's holster.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One more hidden treasure found on Nebraska's backroads was Baker's Candies - known by locals at Baker's Chocolates. It is Nebraska's largest candy outlet and it is renowned for its signature meltaways, decadent fudge and gourmet confections. And it has every kind of candy you can possibly think of, and some you have never imagined. So, if you love candy - and who doesn't? - you are gonna love Baker's Candies in Greenwood, NE.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  As you can see in this collage, Riverside, Iowa is officially designated as the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. It has a replica of the USS Enterprise (with my photo attempting to depict the elongated engines about to hit warp speed). It hosts the annual Trekfest. It has a statue of the Captain with a giant Star Trek emblem on the playground behind it. And it has another Kirk tribute with the Enterprise reflected in the glass at the Voyage Home Museum. Many thanks to the very creative people of Riverside who cleverly decided to boldly go where no town has gone before.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I was like an excited little kid going to see the Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk in Riverside, Iowa because I was an excited little kid when my family watched the first Star Trek TV series. We were instantly hooked by the optimism, humor, unbelievable technology, and the amazing cast of characters. So, when I saw the replica of the USS Enterprise and the statue of Captain gazing at the ship he'd boldly go on a 5 year mission, it reminded me of my own Star Trek origins. And I'm so grateful for the amazing woman responsible for me becoming a fan, my beloved Mother, and the incredible woman who overcame intense studio opposition and put the original series on the air, Lucille Ball.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I don't think there's a better way to introduce Part 5 of my Living In America road trip than to share this May 31, 2023 sunrise view of Fennville, Michigan. My sincerest thanks to my host and fellow road trip enthusiast for giving me such a serene place to rest and recuperate from Part 4's 1150 mile drive.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  People have often asked me what surprised me most in my last 7 years of road trips. And while there have been many wonderful discoveries, my answer today is the gorgeous West Coast of my home state of Michigan. One look at downtown Saugatuck, MI is a good example of why. Their are colorful, delightful restaurants like Siena Cafe and Uncommon Coffee Roasters, and picturesque views of the beguiling blue waters. No wonder people compare the beauty and culture of Michigan's West Coast to America's West Coast.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories   Just a short walk from an amazing Beatles themed coffee shop is the picturesque six acre Wenonah Park in Downtown Bay City, MI. A pretty stroll along the water reveals a boat dock designed to accommodate watercraft of many sizes. The large oval sculpture and fountains can be seen from the length of Center Avenue. And the World Friendship Shell is an amphitheater that plays host to a great variety of arts and performances.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  When my host said I really needed to experience Ray's BBQ, Brews & Blues, I didn't expect much. Maybe that was because last connection with the small town of Grayling was decades ago when my sister was a DJ at the local radio station WGRY. So, needless to say, I was blown away by what I discovered! The size, theme, food, ambiance, service and music was very tasteful. And watching the AuSuble River gently flow by was the ultimate chill.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One of the things I look for in exploring a new city is a pretty downtown area and a good coffee shop. With that as a goal, have to give Mt. Pleasant, Michigan high marks for both. The very colorful city is on the Chippawa River and is home to Central Michigan University. And I didn't have to think long and hard about how good Ponder Coffee was because the service, ambiance and beverages were ponderously wonderful.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Pleasant City Coffee is one of those pleasant surprises you find when you travel. Located near the Chippawa River in the vibrant downtown of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, it is many things to many people. First and foremost, it is a coffee bar with a terrific ambiance created by the friendly photographer, traveler and owner, Joshua Agardy. Secondly, it has an impressive menu, a quaint patio and a lavish bar. And lastly, Pleasant City is a comfortable home away from home for locals, visitors, students, musicians, artists and families alike.
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Octopus' Beer Garden in Mount Clemens, Michigan has a lot going on. First, it is a very colorful restaurant with terrific food, excellent service and a unique ambiance. Secondly, part of it sits on land, part sits on a barge, and part floats on a separate barge for their bandstand. Thirdly, it has a Beatle's theme so there are graphics of the Fab Four everywhere. Lastly, their slogan is "Food. Drink. Peace. Love.", and they really deliver on it. So, if that sounds groovy to you, check out the Octopus' Beer Garden this summer.
PS. For more Beatles themed places in Michigan, check out my posts here and here. Contents Books Home Hire Stories   I began Part 6 of my Living In America road trip on July 6, 2023 with an unscheduled, uncertain return trip to Arizona*. Fortunately, the first place I landed was with my incredible hosts in Lexington, KY. And on a walk in the lush green park we spotted these guys. I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that both my fine feathered friends and I were trying to get our ducks in a row. *Note that all is well now in AZ, except somebody apparently left the furnace on outside. :-)
Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I rarely drink hard liquor because it all tastes like liquid fire to me. But those who do imbibe in spirits tell me that Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY is home to some of the finest bourbon in the world. I'll have to take their word for it, but I can tell you that the spacious, opulent parklike setting makes visitors feel very welcome.
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