Day 1 - April 24, 2006

It only takes that one guy to ruin it for the rest of us! I wonder if they just wanted to make a point, or if the thought of white paint escaped them.

Day 1 of the trip and I didn’t leave until about 4pm. THEN, about 40 miles down the road, in Pueblo, the dreaded check engine light decides to light up. Joy. So I called Steve, the most mechanically enlightened person I know, and asked for help. He told me to go to AutoZone and they would be able to tell me exactly what error message was popping up. It was decided that it is “probably” nothing to worry about, so I am now ignoring the fact that I am a little worried.

I think I am naming the car Sheila (with an Australian accent) even though she drives on the Right/Correct side of the road. I didn’t really appreciate the attitude I got from her today, but I think she’s warming up to me.

I wish the maps warned of the towns with industrial plants in them. I decided to stay in Garden Springs, KS tonight, and as I drove into town, the place smelled like toe jam. The wonderful aroma even penetrated the car’s recycle air feature, which usually works when behind cars that blow stinky exhaust. I will have to make a note of picking up some Oust at the next Super Wal-Mart.

I’ve heard before, that now, every town which has a Super Wal-Mart, also has a huge vacated building that used to house the regular sized Wal-Mart. I saw one set today, and will not be surprised to see several more. If anything, the parking lots of the old Wal-Marts make good practice driving areas or skate-boarding lots. I wonder if, in the distant future, the old Wal-Mart buildings will become historical ghost towns for tourists. They could hire actors to dress up and push carts around, and have arguments over the last Tickle Me Elmo at Christmas time. Parents will drag their kids to see what the times were like at the turn of the century. Instead of bleachers for the show, the audience can sit in the little booths in the food court.















Here is a building I passed while still in Colorado. And this whole time, I thought livers came standard.