“I’m free – I’m free
And freedom tastes of reality!
I’m free – I’m free
And I’m waiting for you to follow me!”
~ Pete Townsend
Friday. After eight and a half years…today was my last day working at Corp Bros! Yes, I will remember my time fondly at the original Corp Bros., the one owned by the Seaman family. I will miss my co-workers and some of my customers, however, I will surely not miss TechAir or “kicking steel.” It was a good run with lots of fun. Thank you for everything! Adios to all!
…and so “The Great American Road Trip” begins!
As you can see my Nissan XTerra is packed and ready to roll, storage on the left, bedroll on the right, dirty laundry goes in the blue bin. Got more storage containers on top, a full tool box, two coolers and plenty of room for a passenger should the occasion arise. Bathing will be had at campgrounds, truck stops, local swimming holes, the Great Lakes, waterfalls and the occasional no-tell motel/hotel. Got snorkeling gear, a walking stick and an annotated version of Walden. Got a cast iron grate for cooking on the barbie and a full backpack with gear should I choose to go deep-woods camping. I also have a can of “deterrent” should anything approach too closely that’s larger or meaner than me, along with a can of Fix O’ Flat, trail mix and tushy wipes. There’s more than enough reading material about exploring America for those lazy down times. The camera’s mounted to the tripod and there’s enough digital memory for two thousand pictures. Hhhmmm…? Probably not enough, better get more. There’s four homemade cd’s full of songs that speak of driving, traveling, running, exploring, expanding, escaping, moving, shaking and freedom; Bob Seger has a huge presence in this category. I hope I’ve thought of everything…? Do you have any recommendations?
“I believe in America because we have great dreams — and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” ~Wendell L. Willkie
And so…this is where our journey starts. This may be my dream but it gives me great joy to share it with you. Enjoy the journey!
As always, if anyone has any suggestions of places I should visit anywhere in the northern half of America, perhaps some obscure gem off the beaten path that only a local would know about, please send me a note and perhaps I’ll visit there in my travels.
First stop, the grate state…uh…the great state of Maine!
I hope you join me!
The gam continues…
Safe travels!
Drive safely my friend.. See you in 2 weeks 🙂
Leave no stone unturned. The world needs more characters.
Bill,
Joe told me how you stopped by Airgas in Elmira to see him today! He wanted me to tell you it was a pleasant surprise. He told me that you were heading up to Niagara Falls and I have no idea if you have already gone up there or not, but regardless, you really have to make your way back to Penn Yan (our hometown) and dine at the Penn Yan Diner! 131 E Elm St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Then, you have to come by our place and take a picture of the sunset we are treated to every evening. Joe told me to tell you we have a comfy air mattress you can spend the night on, lol.
If you’re lucky, we may even be able to introduce you to our mennonite neighbors (no pictures, though…they are camera-shy).
Anyways, if you can’t make it out for a visit, Joe told me to tell you that you are welcome to come by anytime you do happen to be in the area.
If you think you might be able to make it out, send me an email for the address.
Otherwise, safe travels, and we hope you enjoyed Niagara Falls!!
Thank you Crystal and Joe for the kind offer. It would’ve been nice to watch the sunset and perhaps meet your Mennonite neighbors but, unfortunately, I’m already in Ohio (in another Mennonite community.) If I’m ever in Penn Yan I’ll look you up. Take care.