To the Finish Line...

Ok. I know its been a loong time since I updated. That's my fault for being home and lazy. No apologies, thats just the way wizards are. Live with it. ;) Anyway, back to the story...

My next stop for the night was Wenatchee, Washington. Not much to the place for me. Its a regional agricultural area which seems to be a center for wine production and fruit. You know those apples grown in Washington you always hear about? This is the "Apple Capital of the World"(so they say). For me, it was just a place to sleep for the night. however, once I passed through I noticed a lot of vineyards. Perhaps a return is in order for some wine shopping?

Aleksandra surprised me in the morning, by being ready to go! She finally got the program down and was waiting in her carrier before I even got showered. Silly cat. NOW she gets it!




One thing of note was a motorcycle in the motel parking lot. The Harley-Dee was registered in Edinburgh, Scotland! Weird. I didn't meet the rider, but that could have been an interesting conversation. I did meet a biker earlier, in the Dakotas from Malaysia. His English wasn't that good and neither is my command of Malay, so that made the conversation brief. He was on the way to Sturgis, SD from the Malaysian UN mission in NYC. His bike was the only one I have ever seen with US Diplomatic License plates. Who knew they even made them?






After Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Washington was next on the road. The entire town center is modeled on a Bavarian village. As was expected, it was filled with tourists, so I didn't stop. I have been here before, and will likely do so again. It's a nice little tourist town (population under 2,000) nestled in the mountains. I suspect it would be great during Christmastime when there's snow (or mebbe Oktoberfest?).



And now, ON TO THE COAST!

My Journey into the "Forbidden Zone"

From the Grand Coulee Dam, I followed a "Blue Highway" (WA 155) south towards Wenatchee, WA, my planned overnight stop. Its a rather interesting path as it is bordered by huge basalt lava flows, much like the Columbia River basin.

It was then I saw this very interesting sight just ahead along the road. (See photo above) It looked very bizarre, almost like a fantasy landscape from a pulp novel cover. The photograph really doesn't do it justice. The juxtaposition of visual elements just got to me. That meant I had to explore more.

So I drove around the shore of Banks Lake and discovered Steamboat Rock State Park. Close to one side of the park is a bit of the lake called the Devil's Punchbowl. Wow...first the Devils Tower and now his Punchbowl. How lucky I am! The name of the park comes from Steamboat Rock. (DUH). This is a massive butte of basalt that dominates the landscape. It covers about 600* acres and is about 800 feet high, from the lake. When I saw it, it reminded me of the scenes in the Planet of the Apes movies, of the "Forbidden Zone". Its not often you see a huge lake in the middle of an arid desert. All I needed to view was some gorilla skins draped over St. Andrews crosses at the summit ridge to convince me I had dropped into one of those movies.

Now that photo is a bit deceiving.

First, it really doesn't show how big it really is. It's quite far from where my car is parked. A person standing at the top of the cliff would only be a couple pixels big. Second, just behind me (facing away from that butte) are perfectly groomed, green, fully modern campsites with running water. How weird is that? They also have a boat launch and other amenities. The campsites were about 2/3's full. It was gorgeous! (see the park website link). When I decide to take my tent out on a camping trip, this is one place now on my list. If you want a camping stop that is a bit unusual, this is a place to go.

Now as a kid, I would have loved to have visited such a place. I really would have felt I was on another planet. The long drive alone would have added to the illusion, especially if I had napped on the way there, and woke up as we arrived.

The neighboring campers probably would have wondered why I was running around and making chimp noises, though.

Washington State

After getting a $1.25 Mexican Pepsi-Cola (made with cane sugar, not HFCS) at a gas station in Idaho, I took a quick zig over to Spokane, WA. Nothing much to report from there, as I was visiting a long time internet friend from the old AOL Chat room era. We chatted up and had dinner twice...my first baby steps into authentic Indo-Chinese delicacies.

I won't get into the details, as I am a complete novice, but the Vietnamese food (especially the soup) I had was very tasty. I also had a "Vietnamese Coffee": a glass of cold coffee, sweetened and with cream and ice. Where have I seen that before?

We also visited a so-so exhibition of Leonardo DaVinci stuff, in Spokane. I say "so-so" because it wasn't even close to what I saw at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, Italy. (MUSEO NAZIONALE DELLA SCIENZA E DELLA TECNOLOGIA LEONARDO DA VINCI). That was awesome. But I suppose for folks not so lucky to visit Italy, this traveling show was good enough. Perhaps its enough to get those interested to seek out the real thing or at least follow up for further information? On a brighter note, I did get a pamphlet that shows how to make paint from scratch. I always wanted to do that, and use them in a painting.

Anyway, after Spokane, I zagged on over to the Grand Coulee Dam. Like most people, I have heard about it, but never saw it. Hydroelectric dams are not on many people's bucket list of things to see before you die. Its not on mine, either, but since I was close, why not? Isn't that the purpose of this road trip? Well, see the photo at the top. Not too impressive from a distance, but up close...Click on that whopper of a photograph!

It's HUGE! About a mile long from end to end. The largest dam in North America.


I stayed at the Visitor's Center for awhile and read most of the exhibits and stuff. I was surprised that there was so much PC propaganda, and nothing on how the power provided by the dam was instrumental on the production of the atomic bomb during WWII. Anyway, I was almost going to take the tour of one of the electrical power plants, but it was getting warm, and I had to consider Aleksandra in the car. In addition, they also didn't allow firearms. No real biggy, I guess. I just feel so nekkid unarmed.

It is pretty impressive and a testament about what Americans can do. Remember, this was built during the Great Depression (1933-42) and the beginning of WWII. Think we would do that today? I seriously doubt it. This is what "green" energy is all about: NO pollution and it enhances the environment.

Next up: My Journey into the "Forbidden Zone".

Idaho+

After Montana I zipped up to the Sandpoint, Idaho vicinity on Lake Pend Oreille. I must say, it is quite a beautiful area. Now, as a Minnesota Native, that's easy to understand. I will always prefer fresh water over seawater. Freshwater rarely is home to critters that can eat you and/or sting you to death. Plus, you can drink it without much, if any, processing.

A long time BP colleague, mentor and friend lives up that way, and he was the purpose of the visit. As we are both retired, it was a great opportunity to catch-up and reminisce about the Old Patrol.

The first thing I was treated to was breakfast and a ride on my comrade's boat. Breakfast consisted of a cold bottle of Black Butte Porter. Mmm. Not exactly bacon & eggs, but apropos: I was back in the Pacific Northwest.

It was on this brief morning jaunt to the fuel dock, that I was informed that the lake was the former home of the Farragut Naval Training Station during World War II, and is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the Northwest. As I was helping my buddy moor his boat, I witnessed an overflight of two V-22 Osprey aircraft. What they were doing there is anyone's guess, but it was pretty cool. No photos because I had my hands tied up with some boat lines. (Wait, that doesn't look right. I meant, "my hands were occupied with handling the boat's lines...")

One of the high points of my visit was a side-trip to Spokane, WA for dinner with more former comrades in arms. We all swapped stories, but I mostly listened to the dirt and gossip of things far removed from my experience. I guess I am still just an innocent "Boy Scout" when it comes to such things. In any event, we all had a good time.

Group photo is courtesy of my buddy.

Another treat of my visit was a dinner at Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar, with my old BP partner. He suggested the place, and said he was a regular. I had misgivings because sports bars tend to have the usual finger fodder for beer drinking and perhaps one signature offering of some repute. However, I was on a quest for new discoveries and put my doubts aside. In addition, my buddy has rarely led me astray, on or off the field. Trust is earned for a reason.

The menu was quite extensive for a sports bar. Also, my buddy knew all the cute waitresses by name, so he was indeed a regular customer. This bolstered my courage and I bravely ordered the Mussels Marinara. The menu listing looked scrumptious, but I would see for myself soon enough. Oh, the Mojito I ordered was perfect! A good omen.

Now, I was banking on my theory that great seafood is often found far away from the sea. The reasoning is that it costs the same to ship quality sea food to the interior as it does the crap. Therefore, they may as well just ship and offer the good quality stuff as the difference in price would be marginal, after shipping costs are combined. I have had very bad seafood on the coast. Some of it has been just awful. I figure this is the crap they keep, when they ship the good stuff out. Now there is a good mountain range or three between Idaho and the closest seacoast, so this would be a good test. It should also be noted that I have had Mussels Marinara several times in Italy, where I was introduced to the little sea critters and the dish. My taste buds had been calibrated by the best. It wasn't long before the still steaming entrée arrived.

OMG! It was heaven! It was as good as any I have tasted, and in a decent portion: at least a full half pound (I think a bit more than that). And none of them were "dead". That is, unopened shells. You never eat those, if you are served them. A closed shell is a sign the mussel is flawed in some manner and not to be consumed. A good restaurant will never allow them to be served. Sometimes they are. The seasoning was perfect, as was the linguini...Al dente. Wow. It was a magnificent experience. The second Mojito was as good as the first.

If you ever happen to visit that area of Idaho, I cannot recommend Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar more. Check the link provided above. I will be back there for certain.

Aleksandra had been a good girl. She liked Idaho, too. I mean, how could she complain when the room furniture was made from scratching posts!



Just kidding. She behaved herself like the lady she is.

Nate & Rosie

My last stop in Montana was at the final I-90 rest stop before entering Idaho.

I was walking around having a cigarette when I noticed a fat guy at the restroom pavilion. He was sitting there with a large black dog and a 'Need Gas Money' cardboard sign. I assumed he had a car somewhere about, so I strolled a bit and found a rather disheveled old Subaru with Montana license plates. Two fishing poles were evident, as well as the usual car trash associated with someone living in their automobile.

I figured, this guy can't be all bad, so I walked back and initiated a conversation. It was then I also saw he had an oxygen tank and breathing tube. His name was Nate and his dog's name was Rosie.

We chatted for quite awhile. The fifty-something dude, had a basic 'down on his luck' story, and confessed of many bad decisions in his life that led him there. He also admitted to being a casualty of the "War on Drugs" and a former hippy from the battlefield of Haight-Ashbury. He was personable, honest, and straightforward. He had no excuses, and regretted wasting much of his life. Now, his goal was to make up for it and spread what good will and love he could, and become a useful member of society.

At first he asked me if I was a teacher. I said, I had been...in a way. I guess after a few of my questions, he later asked if I was a writer. I replied I was writing a bit, mostly online. He seemed more satisfied with that response.

I told him I didn't have any money for gasoline, but I had $5 for dog food. I said, "Rosie's gotta eat, too." He shined a big grin as I handed him a fiver and said, "Rosie, go say 'Hi and thank you' to the nice man!", and she did. She walked right up and plopped her big head in my lap, tail a-wagging. I am such a sucker.

It was about that time when a young, attractive, and rather buxom blonde, gal showed up to ask Nate, "Do you mind if I give your dog a treat?"

Nate had no problem with that. She went back to her car, and came back with a rawhide doggie treat and her own big mutt, which looked like a Shepard/husky mix. Old Rosie ignored the treat nudging it away with her nose, and then crawled submissively towards the new dog; an obvious male. The mutts flirted a bit.

And then with a quick "G'bye!", the blonde left as her dog then dragged her off to the potty area.

Shortly thereafter, I wished Nate and Rosie good fortune, and returned to the road.

It was the only time during my road trip I regretted Aleksandra was a cat and not a dog.

...WAIT! There's MO!

Besides the old prison itself, the price of admission also includes The Montana Law Enforcement Museum (actually a set-aside area within the old prison), Frontier Montana Museum, Desert John's Saloon Museum, and the Montana Auto Museum!

Whew. What a goldmine of cool stuff!

But before I get to those, here's another photo from the prison:


That's some contraband confiscated from prisoners and other related artifacts including weighed down shoes (twenty pound concrete soles, for likely escapee prisoners) and a set of locks used in a lock-picking 'school', set up by inmates. They also had the bazooka used by the Montana National Guard to help suppress a prison riot in 1959.


The Montana Law Enforcement Museum was pretty minimal, but it was being revised and expanded. All that was open was a memorial for officers slain in the line of duty, and some sample uniforms. (See lead photo of the memorial above)

The Frontier Montana Museum was small but very impressive. EVERYTHING there was of extremely high quality, for a museum exhibit. I don't have many photos from there, as my camera battery decided to take a dump, and I was too lazy to go back to the car for another one. It was a mini-version of the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, with an emphasis on just Montana history. All sorts of artifacts and curios are exhibited from gambler's tools of the trade to firearms and military regalia. All sorts of pioneer stuff, too. Pretty cool.

The two shots I did take, before that camera battery pooped out, are of a replica of a sheriff/town marshal office. Except for a few of the antiques, it doesn't look much different than my home office.

I guess some things never change.




Desert John's Saloon Museum was an odd place. It is an attached section of the Frontier museum which was basically an old saloon bar and accouterments and a massive collection of liquor bottles. I mean, they had walls of shelves filled with empty booze bottles and crockery. Now, I am no bottle collector, so I just glanced around a bit as I sauntered through. I did notice a few from some now defunct Seattle distillery. Who knew Seattle provided spirits to cowboys, miners, and ranchers in them olden days? Again, no photos by me. Visit the website link above.

Now the Montana Auto Museum was something to behold. USA Today rates it as one of the 10 Best auto collections in the country. From the outside it doesn't look like much. It looks rather small. Once inside I understood. They jammed the cars in there like sardines. There's about 120 cars in the collection. Here's a few choice bits:






Forgive the photo quality as it wasn't lighted very well and my tiny camera's flash wasn't up to the job at hand. If you are wondering about that camouflaged VW dune buggy in the first photo, that was used in the film The Road Warrior (Mad Max II). How that ended up in Montana, I'll leave for you to figure out. I think it would be more at home in Wyoming.

Another little treasure Deer Lodge, Montana had was a shop that sold crafts made by Montana prison inmates. The shop is nestled among the museums I visited. They had all sorts of things, but mostly equestrian and cowboy related items: tack, bridles, hat bands, belts, etc. All of it was was extremely high quality and expensive. A nice decorated belt (I think it was braided/woven porcupine quills on leather) was $250.00! But it was gorgeous and the craftsmanship impeccable. If I was into cowboy fashion, I would have bought it. They also had some inmate "art" of varying quality; lots of nekkid wimmin and such. Heh. (No I didn't buy anything!)

Even Mo Montana!

With Reggie's Bucket-O-Dirt safely in my Challenger's trunk, I headed back west. I had nothing planned before my next "scheduled" stop in Idaho, so I just cruised along, wondering if I should attempt to beat my previous 150 mph sprint in Montana while listening to some tunes on the satellite radio. Boy, that device is certainly handy out in the middle of the boonies. I can remember listening to farm reports, Country & Western music, and the occasional news blurb when I had to scan the AM/FM radio, back in the old days. Even the old music cassettes got old after the second or third listening. For some reason, Wang Chung's Points on the Curve still reminds me of Eastern Oregon, since my last road trip in 1985.

I didn't have much luck finding a motel in Butte, Montana. Then again, I didn't look very hard. For some unknown reason, something was pushing me to go beyond. So, I kept driving. I decided to use my car's navigation system for a motel, and one was found up the road a ways in a town called Deer Lodge.

Well, the listed motel wasn't in Deer Lodge, after all. I guess I should spend the $199 to get the 2009 database updated. So, I looked around and first passed on a corporate chain place and found a small Mom & Pop joint. Unfortunately, they didn't have a room suitable for my needs. I was not about to chase Aleksandra out from under the bed at check-out time. But, in my search for lodging I did find an unexpected treasure. In the darkness I found the old Montana State Prison museum. That meant I HAD to find a place to stay, because my next day was instantly planned. I ended up getting a room at a corporate joint.

Now let me explain something first. I had read about the Old Prison Museum in a tourist pamphlet I had picked up in the vestibule of a Perkin's restaurant somewhere along the way. It looked like a cool place to visit, but a glance told me it was in some obscure place, probably not worth tracking down. Well, that wasn't true. It's actually just a stone's throw from the interstate. How I got the idea it was off in the boonies, I can't explain. Perhaps I was too hungry to read it carefully. Then again it could merely be the result of cranial flatulence. In any event, fate had drawn me to this spot, and I wasn't disappointed.


Now I know some of you won't click on the link provided, so I'll post a brief blurb of its history from their site:

"Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Montana Prison was built by inmate labor, this turn-of-the-century fortress was home to at least one member of Butch Cassidy's "Wild Bunch"...Stout iron bars slammed shut and locked for the first time on July 2, 1871. On that day, Montana's Territorial Prison in Deer Lodge incarcerated its first occupant...Emptied of prisoners in the late 1970s, the buildings stand now as silent sentinels to justice, a museum complex dedicated to law enforcement..."

Now I have visited prisons and jails before (DUH), but this was the first time to see one from the "Good Old Days". It was obvious that this place was built with no thought to "rehabilitation". It was strictly HARD TIME HOTEL.



It doesn't look very inviting, does it? The first inside the wall photo, is from the closest spot where a prisoner could approach the administration building without permission. One more step forward, and he could be shot by the guards.

The interior, cell block photo is on the sunny side. That's as bright as the prison gets. This was at about noon on a bright summer day.














A typical cell. (Yes, they did wear Stripes at one time).




And a women's cell.

































"The Yard" ...







and "The Hole".

The "Hole" was just a small, bare room in the lowest level. The only furnishings were two buckets: a water bucket and a "Honey Pot". Bread and water everyday except for a regular meal once a week.

More Montana

As I was heading west from Billings, Montana, I caught an interesting tourist pamphlet about a gem mining place near Yellowstone National Park. I needed to procure a "fun" gift for my friend Reggie back in Oregon, so I thought this might do it. She had previously strongly hinted she'd like some Black Hills gold. Meh. Gold.

Now gems...sapphires, in this case, is more my style.

As I got closer to Yellowstone, I briefly toyed with the idea of adding that to my itinerary. Majestic mountains attract me for some reason, and I that is another place I haven't seen since 1959. I decided Yellowstone really deserves an in-depth look, not a simple drive-through, so that passing thought passed away.



This was the place! Gem Valley!

It's not much to look at, just a shop building, parking and 'play area' for digging through gravel. (See their website) Not just any gravel, but gravel trucked in from the actual mine in another part of Montana. This location provides a good trap for tourists on their way to Yellowstone.

Now don't get me wrong. In spite of it being an ambush for your hard currency, it is an interesting travel diversion that actually requires you to do some hands on activity.

There were lots of families there, with their kids eagerly looking through handfuls of wet pebbles to find those elusive sparkly sapphires and garnets.

I talked to the gal at the inside counter about what the deal was in finding the gems, and she was eager to provide me with answers to every question I could think of. She showed me samples of both raw gems (to be able to recognize them) and others that had been cut and faceted. They even had some jewelry featuring their gems, which were also available for purchase. In addition, they even provided contacts for gem cutters that could cut gems you found, and jewelers that could mount your stones in their custom designs. Now how many people wear gems that they themselves found? That'd be a hellava souvenir, no?

I ended up getting a plastic bucket of dirt for Reggie. She can sift through that to find her 'sparkly rocks'. Who knows. Maybe she'll find a 19-carat sapphire, like these folks did. (Click on link for story).

Montana Revisited

After Wyoming, it was time to return to Montana to visit one of my friends that I had passed by on the rush to my High School Reunion in Minnesota (No I haven't covered the Reunion yet, but I will).

Our primary activity was going out to shoot some guns! Yes, I had brought some extras for recreation, or if I found myself in the midst of some civil strife. You never know, these days.

So, we loaded up and headed for the "range". It's actually a glorified "gravel pit" on BLM land. An impromptu site perfect for the #1 shooting sport in America: Plinking.

Before I get to that though, the ride there provided an interesting incident.

On the way there, I decided to show off my HEMI endowed beast a bit and gunned it up to 120 mph on the highway. That was mostly to hear her growl a bit. It must be the air in Montana. I then settled down to the speed limit and cruised along, until...

Yup. The Popo. I saw the lights flashing and pulled over. Needless to say, I thought I got popped for doing 45 over the speed limit. Ugh. This was gonna cost me a bundle.

The conversation with the Montana State Trooper went something like this:

"May I see your license, registration and insurance?"

"Sure" (Handed them over)

"I'll be right back."

Wait while he runs the data. He comes back.

"Where are you all going?"

"Shooting at the BLM at (wherever it was)."

"You have guns?"

"Yup."

"Well I stopped you for speeding. You were going 65 in a 50 back there."

:::GULP:::

"Sorry Officer, I thought the speed limit was 65 before it went to 75."

"Well before it goes to 65, it's only 50."

"Oh, I didn't see that."

"I clocked you just before that. I am only giving you a warning. Now, take care and be safe."

"Thank you Officer, I appreciate that. You be safe, too."

And that was that. Whew!

My friend and I (I'll call him ROM), talked about the stop on the rest of the ride to the range. First of all, I got off lucky. ROM suggested I buy a Lotto ticket before the luck ran out. Then we wondered why the trooper didn't even look at the guns and stuff. He would have found two guys with five handguns an AR rifle with an assault vest & loaded magazines, plus a shotgun. I imagine that's normal in Montana. Perhaps even a mite light. In any event, it was of no concern.

Then, we wondered what the Trooper was thinking while trying to catch up to us. If he clocked me that early on, he must have wondered how we managed to get so far ahead at the speed limit. Or maybe he saw my RETIRED Thin Blue Line sticker on the rear window? Don't know. He was very professional. He never asked about me or my former status.



In any event. We got to the range. ROM had just bought a new shotgun and wanted to try it out, so we did that first. Now I normally don't shoot 20 gauge shotguns. I am used to 12 gauge and combat shooting with it. The 20 gauge seemed a bit like a kid's gun, but it's adequate. I don't know, but I assume 20 gauge ammo is cheaper.


Next, we played with my HK's in .40 S&W. ROM likes the caliber, so that was not an issue. I let him try out the USP Compact I carried on duty as well as the P2000 SK mini blaster I got as a retirement present from my BP buddies. Two thumbs up from ROM. He liked the DAO triggers.

We next transitioned to my pet "Jessica": my tricked out COLT law enforcement carbine.

He fell in love with her. How could he not? She's as close to a military grade M4 carbine a civilian can own in the USA...plus, she's as pretty as her namesake.


I was also going to say, "...and just as tight" but I don't know that first hand.





Anyway, ROM wanted to see how well she handled in my hands, so I gave her a go. It must have been the stress of his watching eyes that got me in the groove. After a few close misses I managed to get the two clays we had set up as well as the half empty water bottle in quick succession. Those would be clear head shots in a child sized zombie. Not too shabby for a fat, old warhorse!

Wyoming, Cody

I finally got to Cody, Wyoming to check out the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

It was pretty awesome...at least the sections I visited. I did a pretty extensive tour of the firearms section (no surprise). I was greeted by a Gatling Gun that was actually used in the development of the Vulcan Mini-gun series.

Now I have seen other examples of Gatling guns in other museums and gun shows (Yes, you can buy them), but this one was unusual in that was not only used for development of modern ordinance, but it was also fitted with an armored shield.

To say the museum was huge, is an understatement. They had TONS of guns from the first Medieval era hand cannons to those presently deployed by modern armies worldwide. And yes, they have many, many "sporting" arms.



On the second (!) floor of the firearms section, they were experimenting with a new way to display guns. They had long arms mounted in vertical drawers with glass on both sides. This would enable close inspection on all sides.

This is important as arms are usually asymmetrical and feature differences on both sides. One could also examine small details like proof marks and other bits.

Handguns were displayed in pull out drawers. This type of display is great for scholars and rabid aficionados. It also saves a tremendous amount of floor space. I was lucky in being the only visitor in that area so I could peruse them at my leisure. However, it might be a problem if there were others around trying to do the same thing.







I have always been intrigued by Wheellock firearms. They were a development before the later Flintlocks. They employed a mechanical clockwork, much like a spring powered Zippo lighter. An iron pyrite wedge was lowered by the arm down to a spinning wheel, which caused sparks which then ignited the gun powder, when the trigger was pulled. This method was a huge improvement over earlier methods. It did have its drawbacks. The main one was they were VERY expensive to make. They also had a tendency to misfire if the spring was not fully wound (This required a spanner or wrench to wind the spring between shots). It is from this we get the expression "going off half cocked".

The long arm shown at the bottom of the display, is a hunting musket used by King Louis XIII of France, (The monarch during the Three Musketeers era). It is extremely long and heavy. This was because a long barrel was needed for accuracy. It employed a Y shaped brace to support the barrel. Only the very wealthy could afford such arms, and that means the Nobility.

It was only later when firearms could be mass produced that the common man had a chance to even touch one.

It didn't take long for a ruler to realize that a peasant with an afternoon's musket training, could defeat a Knight who's whole life was in preparation for war. Mass armies of commoners with muskets then destroyed the monopoly of power the noble class enjoyed since the dawn of civilization. This is when the serf became a citizen. Ask Louis XIV about that.

The museum also had some guns used in TV and film westerns. Among them were all of the handguns, holsters and gun belts used by the regular cast of Bonanza as well as Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel. If you are an old time TV western fan, that is not to be missed.

There were other sections of the center as well. However, I only gave them a brief walk through. They appeared well done, but I was mentally burned out from the firearms section. When I visit a great museum, my brain can only absorb so much, and then shuts down. I first noticed this when I traveled in Europe. For example, the Vatican City. At a certain point, no matter the masterpieces before me, it all just started to blur out. That was time to leave and peruse something less mentally challenging, like watching girls pass by on their Vespas while sipping a Peroni at a sidewalk cafe.

In addition, it was very hot that day in Cody and I was concerned about leaving Aleksandra in the car. So, after driving around a bit to get the car cooled off, I went and bought some souvenir T-shirts.

I also looked for a shop where you could take "Old Time" sepia toned portraits in period costume. I couldn't find it, so we headed out of town.

I know I missed a lot of Cody, but I had had enough for one day. I'll go back and check it out another time.

Sorry...

I know I have been negligent in my posting, but the last week or so, I have spent a ton of time visiting friends and family. I will catch up, soon!

Promise!

Meanwhile, Aleksandra says, "Hi!"

Wyoming, Greybull

Next stop: Greybull, Wyoming. Nice name, eh?

My lodging was this quaint, old-timey motel. It was to be my stepping stone for my upcoming item on my itinerary, Cody, Wyoming.

The only problem: They had a NO PET policy.

When I told the owner/manager lady my pet was 'jus a liddle kitty', she paused. Thought about it. Then she gave me a room because she had never seen someone travel with a kitty-cat before. The charm worked.



They also had the mudder trays I spoke of before, and these cool, log, 'rustic cabins' for rent at $40 night. They had no bedding or facilities. You had to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one of their bedrolls. And you had to poop outside in one of their porta-potties. How cool is that?

But the BEST part of this town was to come, when I had breakfast at the downtown cafe the motel manager told me about. And here it is: The Uptown Cafe. Pretty catchy, eh?

What made this place so special? They allowed SMOKING! Yes, you read that right. The cafe permitted patrons to light up with their morning coffee. I had a glorious breakfast that I haven't enjoyed for decades. I was so enamored with the unexpected LIBERTY, I had a cigarette before and after the meal.

I asked the waitress why they allowed it. She answered, "Well, my Gramma owns the place, and she smokes, so there you are." I can't argue that. The funny thing is, half of the place was a cafe, and the other half was a bar where smoking wasn't permitted.



Just down the avenue from my favorite cafe in the entire known universe, was the old town hotel...still in operation. If I ever pass this way again, I just may check that place out.

But wait, there's MORE!

As I was heading out of town to the highway, I saw a small airport and espied this:





A genuine WWII era Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol aircraft.

Now it had been demilitarized (darn) and converted to a fire suppression airtanker, but it was still cool. I later learned it had belonged to a defunct aerial fire control company, but was still in flying condition. Due to a crash of one in 2002, all air tankers in the region were grounded temporarily. I suppose the company didn't survive that, and there she stands.

Perhaps some WWII aviation enthusiast(s) could restore her war face.