Main Street America

I think it was in a Bruce Springsteen song.....  small town da da....  He must have been singing about one if not the most perfect main street in America.  It was long and dominating.  Every shop filled with a business.  There were people and cars and life.  It was not some entertainment district or amusement park. It was main street America.  Brooksville, Pennsylvania was the place.  Absolutely the perfect main street in the country or at least one of them.  The photo does not do it justice and for that I apologize.  Only one tiny lens this trip.  There is a court house that looks like a Norman Rockwell painting right in the middle of the long wide thoroughfare.  There almost seemed like nothing happens at the courthouse as the Courthouse grill was very quiet.  25 cents will get you two hours on the meter.  If you are ever on PA 28 North of Pittsburgh stop by for the Demi sandwich.  It will not disappoint.

Miles

The Bird Man in the Nest

Non- motorized flight?  Humm.  Not really sure how that works.  Hot air and updrafts or something like that.  Well, I finally go to find out today.   Outside of Durango I took my first glider ride.  It was really a cool experience.  I have survived many a crappy landing during my "flying days", but was never in a place were you got to soar like the birds and didn't get much of a mulligan if you screwed up the landing. Stephane was great and he did let me land which I managed to do with a video camera in my hand.  Ok, he was not too happy about that or the "weeds" at the end of the runway but we survived and I got my deposit back.  What are air brakes on a glider anyway....   All in all a great experience.  If you get the chance....  go shoot the bird....in a glider I mean.   Stay tuned for the video in a couple of days.

Miles
aka  the bird man.

You Gotta Love Durango

What is it about the town of Durango, Colorado?   I just love the place.  18,000 outdoor loving, hiking boot wearing, fleece covered, bikoyackers.   One main street , plenty of restaurants, wine bars, and music.  Not to mention the San Juan Mountains in the backyard.  Just a great place.   I'm back at the General Palmer again.  I know, I said I would try another place but I just can't get away from the hand pinching single person elevator.  It's like a magnet to me.

A glass of wine at Cosmo with a classical guitar guru that may have been homeless but oh did he have the touch.  I asked Chase where he was from...."you know man....around...."  I nodded like I was solid into his universe and he said, " checked out Aspen, Santa Fe, Telluride, and now Durango,   I dig this place".  me too Chase....me too.    Tomorrow I fly like a bird...   Hopefully some moving pictures up tomorrow night.  

Ciao,

Miles

Just another First Monday

It happens every month but for some reason it seemed like a long time since the last First Monday in Canton.  This sleepy little town fills up with over 200,000 junkists for 3 days and then drops back down to Sleep Hollow.  This weekend was the first time in a long while I have not made a contribution to the "Weird Collect".  I didn't have a lot of time and my dogs were tired.  Still I did see a few things that would have looked great in the Villa.  Maybe the impala horns for next time.  If you ever get a chance stop by 45 Lazy Daze Lane for a rum punch or maybe a Mexican Martini.  Viva La Villa.

Miles

Flaming LaCrema....It's good to be home

Aside from the normal travel pains it was a pretty good trip.  The occasional "Do you have some reserves?" always makes one a little nervous at the ticket counter especially in Bocas Del Toro.  The fact that there are only a couple of flights a day and they are all full, thanks the the competitor calling it quits, makes for some excitement where it is not expected.

One of the great pleasures for me is to come home and have some wine that actually tastes like wine to me.  I am certain that the topics will get their wine groove on one day but it's a ways off right in this moment in history.  The evening back at the Villa was very calm which was nice.  It made me realize what a quiet place I live in.  Behold....Flaming LaCrema.

Stay Thirsty My Friends.

Miles

Life in the tropics and Indian french toast

I realize that this photo may be shocking to some of  you but let's face it.....  All travel is not pretty.  After the humidity, the rain, and hours of walking one has a risk of getting a massive heat rash.  I will let the photo speak for itself and let you make the call.   Note to self on this one.  Baby powder.....baby powder....baby powder.


This morning I encountered a truly interesting food choice.  Indian french toast.  I think the name even conjures up images.  It was a wild assortment of onions, coriander, cummin, and other spices, somehow cleverly attached to a thick piece of latin bread that I'm sure never dreamed of being a piece of french toast.  It was spicy for sure but I do not believe it contributed to the overall problem discussed above.

Tomorrow Panama City and the Marriott.  I wonder if they have baby powder there?

Miles

Bocas Rain

It was a long slow steady rain.  Not the kind that makes you uncomfortable but one that kind of soothes you without giving in.  That was Bocas Del Toro, Panama today.  The most interesting thing today was the fact that the rain didn't bother me.  I guess its staying in a place longer than I usually do and not feeling that somehow my experience was diminished by some rain drops. Maybe the opposite can be said for the Noise factory next door....5 days of this....     There is a quiet calm to being in a place long enough to know your way around and have a few people on the street look familiar to you.  Another amazing thing is the passage of people that go through this little hotel from day to day.  Douglas the owner is a very different kind of guy.  Very nice and attentive but he really has other things to do than associate with his guests.  After 10 years I assume that is the way anyone would want it.  So, tonight the dinner choices are a bit limited but all good.  Maybe the wine bar for a drink and some more incredible Indian food at OM.


Or maybe just go back home on work on the latest best unknown literary underachievement .  "9 Degrees South".

Ciao,

Miles