Tag Archives: travel

I Love This Question

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Define camping.

One time I went to Lake Elsinore and slept in a tent. I suspect many would not call this camping. I did as tell my sister about the leftover milk. I don’t like wasting food. She laughed and told me not to worry about it. Next morning, it was froze solid. Come to think of it, I was pretty cold too.

Many times we went to Irvine Park. At that time, it was bordering on wilderness. They had nice camp stoves there. I don’t think that qualifies as camping, but it was kinda close.

I suppose it might count when we camped during Marine training, but that was not for enjoyment. It was the first time I found out just how dark a place can get without the sun.

I went to Korea for a week and lived in a tent. I think that was about as cold as I have been in my life. I really have a hard time understanding how people can live there.

Never did go camping in a trailer or motor home. Don’t really consider that camping anyway. Still, I wouldn’t mind trying it out a few times. I’d be happy with something 20-25 feet.

In a somewhat related subject, my drill instructor passed this little bit of wisdom to us. “Never own more than you can carry on your back.” You have no idea how many times I wished I would have paid attention to that.

I’m not saying I should carry all I own on my back, but I think a pickup and camper would have worked. Over time I have realized, the more I got, the more I have to take care of and the more it costs.

Perhaps, in a way, we would all be better off camping throughout our lives. I am sure there are many who’ll quickly disagree with me. However, when we reach a point when our stuff owns us instead of us owning it, maybe we have too much stuff. To be sure, the last few years, I have learned my house owns me. I am pinned to it and I must consider many things before going on a two day trip. No such thing as just going. That grass won’t mow itself. At my age, it is getting more difficult. I will likely soon start paying someone. I won’t be able to ignore it.

Maybe we have reached a point where we would be better off just camping.

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever been camping?
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It’s a Shame I Don’t Have a Spare Dollar or 2

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Back in the 60s or 70s McDonald’s without doubt had the fastest service. It was simple why. They cooked it all in advance. While the customer put his money on the counter, the employee put the order in a bag or on a tray.

No matter how long the line got, it moved right along. Waiting time was minimal.

Okay, sometimes the food wasn’t piping hot, but it was good and, let’s face it. it’s where we went when we were in a hurry and we didn’t want to pay so much.

I have no idea the reason or who’s idea it was but McDonald’s decided to change. Now those that go there wait, and wait. More, the food is not so hot. Literally, it is luke warm, at best.

I guess that many followed McDonald’s, but I wonder just how many would like the old way.

So. If I had a spare dollar or 2 to spare, maybe I could start a restaurant based on the methods of the old McDonald’s. I am sure many of the folks would stay with the new McDonald’s but maybe I could make a living off the old methods.

That way, when someone wants to wait, they could go to McDonald’s. When a person wants their food in a hurry, they could come to my restaurant.

Incidentally, I would not have those ridiculous ketchup machines that never, ever work. Also, forget going through the drive through. There would be none. I would insist you come in and say hello. As you might expect, I would provide faster service than the drive through anyway.

It does make me wonder just a little. Just how many would leave the new McDonald’s model to go to the old model.

By the way. I don’t have any name for my old idea. Maybe I could solicit a few.

Now What?

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Sometimes things happen in real life that just can’t be imagined. I guess the one thing in my lifetime that I found unbelievable was that planes were actually running into buildings, on purpose. Really airplanes could be used as weapons for killing people, thousands?

Immediately things were changed. The world of travel has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis.

Apparently, those piloting that ship that ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge did all they could to keep the ship from hitting the bridge, but the damage was still beyond any idea. Two days ago, ships passed back and forth under it. Today, what had been the bridge lies in a long heap, blocking sea traffic and thousands, if not millions are wondering just how they are going to get to where they need to go.

Being a person who prefers to think of the the practical aspects of a problem, I started thinking, What now?

l mean, it was a horrible thing. People died. However, immediately, there must be some thought of the future, short term and long.

I would guess getting that big barrier out of the way of the shipping is probably task one. Then maybe they need to think about the car traffic. Maybe they could find an old ferry boat or two to carry a small part of the traffic. Just how difficult would it be to put a floating bridge in.

Nonetheless, someone, or perhaps several someones will need to start long term plans. It’s well beyond my knowledge level, but whatever they plan should take into mind anything that happens might again happen. Decisions need to be made.

Perhaps plans can be made for barriers. Maybe they can choose a tunnel instead. Hard for a ship to run into a tunnel. On the other hand, the tunnel idea might take far too long.

Regardless, to someone, it is a big question, What now. I would guess, even now, there are those thinking of alternate routes.

Couldn’t Figure it Out

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Ordered a little, I guess you call it a wallet. I call it a credit card holder. When I got it, I couldn’t figure it out. As I put one of my cards in there, I was afraid I’d not get it out again. However, after about 30 minutes, I figured it out. It works great and has for quite a while, I guess about a year now.

I suppose it is designed to fit up to 8, but I never have more than 6, many of those are not credit cards. When I need one of the cards, I push a lever and up pops 3 cards, somewhat separated. Sorry, just cant think of the right word. Nonetheless, if I want my Kroger card, it is easy to separate if from the other 2. If I want one of the other 3 cards, I use the other lever.

It actually works faster than the wallet I was using and the other wallet was cracking and breaking the cards. The card easily goes back into the place designed for it. Once I figured it out, it works far better than I expected. Moreover, I have gotten a number of complements on it. Someone sees me get a card out and they say something like, “Wow. That’s neat.” I think maybe I should keep the name of web site handy for the next person that asks about it.

It has some side benefits. The cards are safe from hacking and I would suppose, they do provide some anti-theft advantages.

Just thought I’d pass it on to someone, maybe looking for a solution. Sorry, like all other wallets, it is not large enough for SS cards or Medicare cards. I figure one day, they will either make the cards smaller or the wallets bigger. They just might switch from paper to plastic as well, but not likely in my lifetime.

As mentioned, I got it through Amazon. I looked it up and it appears that they are still sold through Amazon and VM Fashion also has its own site. I don’t know. I might buy another, maybe two. The size is 3.74 x 2.56 x 0.59 inches, not much larger profile than the card itself. Also, as I checked, I noticed they had many other things along the same line. There might be a good gift among them.

Might I remind one and all, I do not get money for this blog site. I am not receiving anything in return for this post. It just is, when I see a good idea, I figure I should pass it on, for whatever good it might serve.

Good Idea From NY,NY

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That’s right surprised me too. Never thought they had any good ideas. They want to charge fees for people who drive in the busiest parts of the city.

However, it is a horrible idea for NY, NY. If you can’t figure out why, no sense explaining. On the other hand, it would be great for Desoto County. All those visiting from Shelby County should pay 5 dollars to enter Desoto County.

They are causing traffic jams and hazzardous situations. This requires more more fire department and police services. Not only that, they nearly double the wear & tear on the highways. Finally, they make it necessary to increase the building of highways.

You don’t like the idea. Why? Did you like the idea in NY, NY?

You say it’s different. How is that. If they do it one place why not the other.

Actually, in the long run, those visiting from Memphis help Desoto County. Ask those who run the restaurants in Desoto County and NY, NY. That will begin to explain it. Right now Desoto County is growing while Memphis is shrinking. If I remember right, NY,NY is shrinking too. Does NY, NY want to to increase the shrinking? If shrinking is the goal of NY, NY, they have a really good idea.

As the man said, the secret to real estate is location, location, location. Translation, access, safety and parking. Without those 3 things your plans, in real estate are doomed from the beginning. No one wants to drive 30 miles through heavy traffic to an unsafe area where there is non-existant or must be paid for.

Don’t ask me. Take one of those surveys y’ll like so much.

Grand Canyon

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About 1984, my wife, 2 sons, and I went out to California to visit relatives, about 1800 miles. Being as we were going close by the Grand Canyon, we decided to drop in, figuratively.

The first thing I noticed was that, just south of the canyon land was being advertised…dirt cheap. A hundred dollars an acre. A while later, I discovered the reason was no water. Even the local McDonald’s had to haul water in.

I don’t know for sure what the prices are today, but I do wish I had figured a way to buy 10 acres. I would suspect the prices have gone up a bunch, even though there is not much demand for farmland without water.

At any rate, after a short stop at McDonald’s, we drove to an overlook. There, before us was one of the most majestic scenes and all 3, the wife and kids couldn’t be bothered with it. They wanted to watch the baby squirrels crawl fearlessly up and down the sheer cliff.

I guess they were fascinating but we have squirrels in Desoto County, bunches of them. So much for seeing the Grand Canyon. Better to go to the local park and watch the wild life. Incidentally, much less expensive.

Now, let’s see. Had I bought a few acres, I could have charged the passerbys to see squirrels. Do you suppose it would have worked. I suppose it still will.

Bloganuary writing prompt
Think back on your most memorable road trip.
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The Well Trained Staff

Posted in Fast Food, Food, Safety by

We had gone to Huey’s on Goodman in Southaven. We had the shrimp and fries. When they first arrived, we could warm our hands from the heat coming off of our dinner. The waiter cautioned us. It was a needless gesture. I had burnt my tongue on the food there before. Still, it was a good idea. I mean McDonald’s did get sued over the hot coffee.

When I had just taken my last bite and I still had a full mouth, the waiter asked if we wanted a Diet Coke to take home. Now that is how you tell a well trained waiter. I know the man was off to the side waiting for me to have too much food in my mouth to reply and then, in that instant, he jumped out and asked me that question.

They practice that, you know. It is a well honed ability and it does not come natural.

Well, of course the food was good and the last bite of fries were still warm. I paid the bill and left a tip. I would have left more, but as I have said so many times before, we are basically living off Social Security. He understood. I would have explained but he knew us and he has heard the explanation before.

Now. If I could just figure out how they make those fries so good and hot.

As an aside, you want to wait for your food, go to McDonald’s. On the other hand, you will rarely do much waiting at Huey’s unless they are really busy. I suspect, if they maid Big Macs, it would not take them 15 minutes to get it to you.