Long time no travel! But today we brought it back into vogue - I headed out this morning bright and early - you do remember how much I love day break. Heading to Smyrna, Tennessee.
This year having been cooler and wetter than most midwest summers - everything is still beautiful and lush and green. I forgot how beautiful Missouri really is. Same areas I would have liked to stop and photograph.  But . . .  time was wasting.
On top of this lone trip who knew there were 5 (count them!) five bridges to cross. I snapped a phone pic on each of them. Just to prove that I made it.
As soon as I flowed through the 2nd Amendment unfriendly state of Illinois the weather shifted and there were sudden downpours. Not rain DOWNPOURS! Then it would stop just as suddenly and everyone would go right back up to speed. This happened about 15 times all the way to the edge of Nashville. Then the weather cleared up and it was exchanged with Traffic! Rush hour bumper to bumper dead stopped traffic.
The hills, the trees, the river(s) and the winding made it a lovely drive. Nashville has a beautiful skyline which suddenly appears as you crest the hill from the north.
I came here to re-connect with family - so all the usual tourist excitement I had not considered. But I soon found that everyone I spoke too wanted to brag about all the Civil War places around the area. In such a large city it is kind of nice that people who live here still "like" where they live.
I will start photo gathering tomorrow.

And then there was - no snow!

Ok, so last night the computer decided it was my enemy. After a serious talk about how a tablet was going to replace it - today it is running smoothly. Amazing what threats can do!
As most of you know, who follow this, we always look forward to traveling but New York's politics left us questioning! I am stunned by the beauty of this land. Looking through my eyes, I wonder how anyone left here to travel West for new land. There are farms, trees, beautiful rivers and creeks, ponds, and that is in the middle of town. It is hard to believe that someplace where most of us consider to be stacked full of people is so "rural". People are friendly but like Chicago - they wear a lot of black, they speak but only when you engage them, and those yankee accents, are harder to find than one would think!

 This is a cute little diner her between Renesslear and Troy that is all 50's including shakes!

We ate out tonight at Chez Mike! A very gourmet little eatery with wonderful and unique foods! Sorry, forgot to take pics!
More work tomorrow! We are only getting light snow flurries here right now but guess home in KC got about 16" in places. Everytime we leave in the winter this happens - wonder what KC would pay us to NOT travel in February!

A Road Longer than expected . . .

So, with grand plans that the all knowing maps said it was a 20 hour drive we began the trip. Our estimate was that we would stay in Youngstown, Ohio tonight. And, we are. Just a bit later than planned. 6 am out of the drive - you all know how much I cherish "not" seeing sunrises - but - we did. Coffee, truck loaded, maps in hand off into the East. We stopped in Missouri to render ourselves completely helpless while we drove through Illinois - those who live in the rest of the state should dis-own Chicago. It is much prettier in the south.

About the time we reached Terra Haute Indiana it began to snow. Just light blowing swirls and snow devils. Very pretty. Wind was howling and guess what? They did not wait until there was ice and snow on ground, they did something unique - they had trucks out spreading corrosive chemicals on the streets and spraying up on our cars before the highway became slick. Massive trucks, going down each lane leaving nothing but pavement covered with melter (my new word for the day) in it's wake. Dinner was spent with a fascinating group of individuals at Ryans. It was fast and had variety and is close to the highway and was voted higher on the food chain than McDonalds. (no snide comments). I have never been there before and granted was only there for a short time but, at least 85% of the people in the restaurant had serious, scary limps. Hard life of rural living? Limps, crooked backs, legs different lengths - it appeared life choice of work type related. But, when you were going through the line, if there was a great looking piece of chicken on your side - taking a moment to decide - Too Late. You are not a local and it was theirs!
Off we drove into the snow. Through Indianapolis which had a cool art and nature part with a lake which has a piece of art that appeared to be a bronze boat and great smoke stacks that appeared to be belching smoke and fantastic miles of wonderful warehouses and architectural buildings that are worth a return trip to explore. It was like the West Bottoms in KC x10! And did I mention lots of snow plows?
We entered Ohio under a blue Arch and Snow. It wasn't bad and really kudos to the Ohio Highway/Trafic department. It is filled with semis and it was in excellent condition! Made it into the Youngstown area about 10pm and as usual the Country Inn and Suites is nothing if not reliably the same. Electric Fireplace roaring in the lobby and a nice clean room with love seat, frig, microwave and king size bed and the promise of a hot breakfast in the morning. The wind is howling outside and snow is swirling and the heater works wonderfully. But, this one has something not usually available - just across the street within view of our window is The 76 Gentlemen's Club. But, if you are headed that way tonight - and driving a semi - stop now. There is no room at the Inn (or the Club as it were). Parking is full! But later, I am sure there will be an opening and they have massage and showers 24 hours a day. And, a fine restaurant and bar. I cannot believe we are here in the room and I am writing this - ah the stories we could tell. But, not this trip. We are saving that for the return.

Ok - due to technical difficulties this is a 2 day post - it was still flurries this morning which lasted until almost Albany. So, yes, we made it! It was a cool 23 with about a 25 mile an hour wind - chilly! We headed straight into Pennsylvania and was glad to see it during the day light. What a pretty state! It is mostly wilderness and trees and hills, and some of the best barns. A beautiful peaceful drive. Wilkes Bare looks really interesting and when you read the history it is amazing. The whole way there are walls of rocks which have been weeping water and today it was frozen. Flying by too fast to get a photo coming up but hope to catch it going back.
We headed north toward Scranton and checked in our firearms before entering NY. We ate at Cortese in Binghampton New York. It has been in business since 1947 - Italian and American food. The neighborhood reminded us of the East bottoms. The building was lack luster - the parking lot packed. It was cozy and packed inside too. Ric tried the French Dip and I had very good cheese filled ravioli with red sauce. Both with salads. And chocolate cake. It was good! The walls have many good Catholic images and photos of the family who started it and still run it. Clean and good - we will go back!
After that we finished the day with a drive into Renesslaer New York. The retirement center is very nice and Barbara welcomed us into a lovely apartment here. Will have pics and more info tomorrow!
 

Into the venture . . . again

We begin again. Heading out into a new place. Through land we have not seen before from the ground and to a place which seems inconceivably filled with the loss of freedom and rights we have taken for granted in our lives. To imagine that we will not find it testing would be to shortchange our expectations. But, whatever we may find - it will be written here. I am pulling for surprise and beauty that helps to make up for the shock and sorrow that TR is spinning in his grave at the thought that his home state has become so far removed from many of his tennants of life.
We are off!

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

This was our first year in the West Bottoms during the Haunted House season. While not a fan or a participant we have enjoyed watching. Lurking I suppose at those who did. There are 4 houses within a few blocks of the loft and our "deck-dock" (not a term you will find in the dictionary) is a great place to watch people. Thanks to one of our neighbors in the building, Paul Morgan, we have chairs, tables and outdoor heaters.

 

We waited with great anticipation for the openings - expecting huge crowds and revelers dressed in all types of costumes.We were told that in years past the lines extended around the block of people waiting to get in. This year, I don't think haunted house goers got their Obama money. Except for the weekend before and on Halloween night the crowds were a bit sparse. Saturday was the last night for this year and The Beast did have a nice long line that night.

  Chainsaw man

But, that doesn't mean we didn't have fun.We have had dry, mild weather here. A jacket most nights made it comfortable. People walking by didn't know if you "lived" in the building and many stopped to talk. It was like having your own private deck, dropped in the middle of entertainment and maintaining all the comforts of home. Well, almost! Bathroom, frig and usually Bailey.

Zombie Girl

Many of the "actors" actually volunteer to do the haunted houses. They run September and October. It is like a big dress up party watching them arrive and the one's we have met really put their all into it. As one put it, "it is just too much fun having a job where you get to dress up and scare people".

Snake Man at the Beast

Zombie Ball at Rag and Bone Last Weekend

We enjoy the West Bottoms. The good, the bad, but most of all the interesting. Life gets so stagnant and beige so easily. We both fear getting beige as much as getting old. Since you probably wouldn't be reading this unless you know me - I know many of the "campers" or what some call homeless. The choices we make in life - turn left or turn right today - get us where we are and make us who we appear to be. Their stories are much more than you might imagine. 

This is Coop and White Eagle - they stopped by and chatted on Halloween. White Eagle went camping 12 years ago and hasn't gone "home". Their head gear flashed bright blue and yellow lights. We discussed the organization of their very socialistic way of living. Their camp, each person has certain responsibilities based on their talents - one picks up aluminum cans, one looks for wood, one looks for blankets - and it all goes in a communal "pot". If you get lost or are passing through, you have a place to stay and a meal. It was like looking at society through a time glass and seeing how we evolved in our society only they stop a certain point. 

The antique dealers down here leave things out on the dock during the first weekend sales. LOTS of stuff. It does not get stolen. If you leave it in the street or next to the dumpster - then they know it is for them. They are an almost invisible society - parallel universe - and holes have been torn between the two but you cannot really cross over. 

Anyway, the highlight of this entire conversation was that we were invited to their camp for bar-b-que. (When the food stamps come in). They haven't figured out how to get us there because these are guarded secrets - but truthfully - being asked was quite a compliment. 

Oh and finding out that raccoon is much better meat than possum. Something that will be good to know when the zombie apocalypse comes!

No apologies for who they are, no sense that they don't live in the right neighborhood, no sense of failure. Interesting the lack of stress when I live in a stressed life daily. 

I will close this rather long dissertation with The Rat Man and his apprentice. They live 2 buildings down from us in the same building as the Edgar Allen Poe Rue Morgue Haunted House. Yes, they are live rats, yes, they are in their mouths. The large one is "Dinna". He works at the Edge of Hell and is quite an attraction. Very nice family - and because of them we have a school bus stop in the West Bottoms industrial district. 

In the months we have been there we have met interesting people, seen sights so many miss, and enjoyed ourselves while getting to photograph this world around us. 

Sometimes, it makes me think that the Victorians had a good idea with the Absinthe - perhaps life through green tinted lens is just enough more interesting to make it worth living. 

A Little bit of Chill

September is over. It has been the most pleasant month for weather. You can actually breath. Not much rain but we did see water fall from the sky. I think it is called rain. We will have to see it again to be sure.

Having our little "deck" to view the world at the loft - we can people watch - usually quiet but right now it is show time for the Haunted Houses. 
The freak parade from the haunted houses is increasing - heading to tonight's full moon and to that all encompassing Halloween when the restrictions between this world and others is at the thinnest.
Last night we indulged in a bit of visual entertainment from the Macabre Cinema.

The street actors really do a great job and by the way - if you visit the Edgar Allen Poe haunted house - it is a charity organization and the proceeds benefit the Dream Factory.
In case you have not been to the West Bottoms - here is a link for the haunted houses
West Bottoms Haunted Houses

Wild West Showdown Lowrider Show & Hop Contest

Today was the Wild West Showdown Lowrider Show & Hop Contest in the West Bottoms sponsored by Zach Lovely of Union Press. We had never been and since it was in the hood - well how could we not go! Urban Adventure at it's finest!
The amount of money, imagination and pride that goes into the creations is admirable and enjoyable. Everyone has a little different take on what makes it "pop". The hydraulics are really hard on the auto. But damn, they are fun to watch. It is showy and a little noisy and makes you think of movies and the coasts.

It was adult and family oriented and the shine made sun glasses a must. Everything from very old classics to very new vehicles. The roar of the engines and occasional burnout did remind me of times gone by. You don't hear it that much anymore. But, loud exhaust, booming music and revving of engines made me know I was in America. All those muscle cars in one place is a little like horsepower on testosterone - and it looked and sounded good!

There were even some bicycles involved and as they were being removed from the car - the polishing rag was applied and they were really just as interesting as the autos. Who knew they made "low rider" bicycle wheels?

These three were of the antique/classic era but were just gorgeous! They certainly made you want one!

Judging and prizes were awarded around 4:30 and after a very warm day it started breaking up and you could hear the rumbles as they faded off into the sunset. This was a well attended event, there was friendly competition and pride was on the line but there was no confrontation. Everyone was there to show off their creations - and the diverse artists kept this a very laid back enjoyable event.
Kudos to Union Press and all the attendees for making this a great day!