Good to take off, good to come back
With the support of employees and owners, I was able to take off a few days to rejuvenate and recharge.
On the first day of my vacation, July 22, I traveled to Fort Scott to visit my oldest sister who celebrated her birthday that day. On my way, I followed a group of three motorcycles. Now I have spent enough time on the back of these marvelous machines to know respect on the road works both ways. Evidently these riders didn’t share the same philosophy. Not only did they toe the centerline, at times crossing it when meeting oncoming traffic, they caused vehicles to take to the shoulders. The bikers decided to pass a vehicle, and instead of each one passing as oncoming traffic permitted, they passed as a pack, causing the car they were passing and an oncoming car to swerve to avoid an accident.
As my better half and I traveled to Oklahoma City, it was amazing what we saw along highways.
One boot. Now, how does someone lose one boot? Did it fall off a work truck or did someone have his foot dangling from a vehicle when the boot fell off and the driver refused to return for it? The question begs to be asked: Where’s the other one?
A pillow in a pillowcase. How do you lose a pillow in a pillowcase? Will someone miss it when they reach their new home and find their pillow blew off the moving trailer?
A foam cooler. Now this one isn’t as hard to figure out. It probably blew out of a boat or truck.
And dozens of pieces of rubber from tires that blew out. It was hot last week, making travel hard on vehicles — especially tires. When we were leaving Oklahoma City Sunday morning, there was a boat being pulled in the lane in front of us. All of a sudden, there was a puff of smoke and pieces of rubber flying everywhere. The driver of the truck pulling the boat was able to safely reach the shoulder two lanes over.
While in Oklahoma City, we used a global positioning system to find our way to sites around town including the bombsite memorial, a cowboy museum, and restaurants. Before we had this technology, travelers would ask gas station attendants and motel desk clerks for directions. I’ve done that — asked someone for directions. And you know, that person didn’t always know.
Several creative ideas have been tried in Oklahoma City to drum up business — specifically tourism. A water canal was created in the oldest part of the city’s downtown district, Bricktown. Boat rides are offered to tourists along the canal to promote shops along the waterway as well as share a verbal history of the community.
Another business venture that was promoted in the area was using old, abandoned grain elevators for bungee jumping. Around here we don’t have too many grain elevators that aren’t put to good use but maybe there are other abandoned buildings that could be used for something other than its original intention.
Something this community should ponder.
By the time this newspaper comes out, the primary election will be decided. How disappointing has this election been? The sniping back and forth has been ugly. Hopefully campaigning for the general election will be more civil and will be about the real issues.
— susan berg
Last modified Aug. 5, 2010