Go Farther

“Stop. Go. Signal. The “Go Farther” Gasoline.” The famous catchphrase of Signal Oil’s ads when they sponsored “The Whistler” on the radio seems appropriate today.

After leaving the beach, we traveled to visit other family and friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey….we also took time to tour the Gettysburg battlefield–and ran into another person from Alaska who was doing the same! Small world sometimes.

Cannons along a ridgetop in the Gettysburg battlefield.

“Ask the man who owns one.” As the ads proclaimed, Packards were wonderful automobiles. This example was in the Memorial Day Parade in Atco, NJ.

A WC62 Dodge 6×6 powerwagon. Interesting history, if you look close, you will see the hood doesn’t line up with the cab–this is because stock WC’s had an open cab. The fire dept converted this by adding a civilian cab onto the WC62 chassis. Winter can be cold….even for firefighters in full turnout gear. It is a well done period modification of a seldom seen power wagon variant.

…then on to Colorado where we are today visiting grandkids prior to heading home. Busy. Lots of driving. In order to get here on schedule, we really had to push ourselves. This necessitated the use of I-70 from PA into KS. Interstates, for us, are a lot more difficult to drive. Sure, you get there faster…but the traffic is heavier and those with whom you are interacting with on the road are often more aggressive and difficult than those you meet along the less traveled paths. (On a related note, why do truckers always try to pass each other while going up a hill?…all it does is create a frustrating bottleneck for everyone else…..conversely, you also have a lot of cars who’s operators believe cutting off a truck or passing it on the shoulder is a good plan. Morons. But yeah, I know…everyone’s a critic.) After a grueling headache inducing day and a half, we got back to less traveled roads and had a much more relaxing drive into Grand Junction by way of 24 out of Colorado Springs and US 50 over Monarch Pass. Yeah, driving Monarch is a cake walk compared to a crowded freeway.

Sometimes, though, the interstate does not totally suck….we were fortunate to get off for a bite to eat in Kingdom City, Missouri where I-70 cuts by the junction of US40 and 54. There is great BBQ and wonderful catfish to be had at the Buckshot Saloon. Make a point to stop in, have a good meal, and a nice chat with the owner who knows a good bit of the local history! You’ll be glad you did.

Lay’s motel in better times. Photo of photo in the Buckshot Saloon.

Lay’s Motor Lodge. Like the sign, the structures are still there, but gradually being consumed by the forest. ….as if a scene from Earth Abides.

So that’s been the last week or so. Of course, there are other photos, technical artifacts found, and tidbits to share which will follow in future posts once I get them sorted.

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