my intentions were good

I really did mean to take lots of meaningful, entertaining and illuminating pictures. No excuses, it just didn’t happen. But here are a few select images.

Lessons learned on the road:

1. If you’re going to move from here to there, it really is a good thing to actually cross the terrain between points A and B.

2. While it’s best to traverse from Elko, NV to Salt Lake City, UT fresh and alert, it really doesn’t matter. The soul sucking yellow smoky pall will sap your reserves. Food note: Chinese food in Elko: surprisingly good.

3. Just because a roadside stop reminds you of Bagdad Cafe, it might actually be a scary, scary place.

4. Wyoming: lovely. Driving fast: good (unless you’re a trailer, then you can expect to be dumped by the wind). Geology: excellent. Roadkill: exotic. XXX Adult rest stop: we’ll always wonder. Little America: Had to. And now I’d recommend it. Food note: fine trout, loved the Madonna Inn meets Cowboy decor.

5. Nebraska? Goes. on. forever. You folks have a lot of corn there. And so do you, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

6. Iowa, you were a pleasant surprise. Dug the rolling hills, tidy farms and the hip Iowa City vibe. Who knew? And the pork tenderloin? Just like Dad loved.

7. The word must be out in Ohio, because everyone drives 55 mph. And drinks a lot of pop. Food note: The Bob Evans marketing roped us in, but the food? Meh.
8. Until our dying day, we will be certain that we did in fact spy an runaway Amish woman driving while talking on a cell phone. Uh-huh. You can’t tell us otherwise.

9. Until now, all the Poconos meant to me were punchlines a la Jackie Mason and round honeymooner’s beds. In real life? Pretty nice. Food note: Outstanding Irish pub fare at Siamsa.

10. New Jersey, Connecticut, et al: Where do you people learn to drive? And who’s the clown that designed those expressways with no left turn, no u turn, no hope, no exit? On my list, people.