Out for Eight, In for 1.5, and back out for Eight!

Rants And Raves
Friends:

I have learned many things in the past eight days. Some of them, I have learned all over again for the very first time.

Six months out of the truck made the first week back inside the truck very interesting, with some moments of terror punctuating the long stretches of isolation and solitude.

Audio Blogger is not a toll free number, and is not readily accessible from the average pay phone, for instance. This is, to my way of thinking, stupid. But, perhaps that's how they can afford to offer us a free service. Still and yet, I won't be able to send you audio updates from the road for a little bit.

The past days took me to Mishawauka, Indiana, North Carolina, and Minnesota over the past weekend. I would love to thank all my rabidly faithful Minnesota fans and readers for the special gift of the freakin' blizzard they had waitin' on me. But, as it came at the end of the first week back in the truck, I was pretty much able to deal with it by the time I got to it. The very, very slow trip out was a real test of patience, but it gave me a real sense of your enduring love for me, and will not be soon forgotten. Not anywhere NEAR soon.

One day back is a real challenge, when you are trying to maintain a not altogether "put together" life, friends. It has been every bit as much work, and twice as tiring, as running the highways.

Originally, I was set to visit West Coxsackie, New York tomorrow night. Yes, Virginia, there really IS such a place. But, the humor of the travel Gods (and my Driver Manager, whom is my best friend here in Indiana) seemed to be merely playing with my emotions for nothing more than their own amusement. Now, it seems, I will be doing my part to load the local market shelves in Greencastle and Milton Pennsylvania over the next couple of days.

Another 8 or so days out on the road, and we will see what we shall see. No major news to report, other than the fact that I did learn upon my return home that a dear friend, noted Journalist Hunter "Gonzo" Thompson had committed suicide. This greatly saddens me. I hope he has found the peace he so long sought, and could not find here. I will surely miss him, and the most wonderful times we shared in Colorado over the past thirty years.

I will update as, and when, I can. Keep me and my Guardian Angels in your prayers. Their wings are a little frayed after this past week's adventure. They, too, wish to thank the good people of Minnesota for the unfortunate effects of frozen wings....oh, how we do so love you.

Live yer Bliss!

Unohu