Mail At The Depot

 

The mailbox at the Sturgis historic train depot.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Working With Wind
2018: You Really WON'T Believe What's Inside
2017: Blue Girl
2016: Vintage Beauty
2015: Truck Yeah
2014: Break Time Selfie
2013: The Glories Of Our Journey
2012: The Herb Whisperer
2011: The Switch Between Morning Glory And Country Strong
2010: Name That Tree
2009: Getting Plowed
2008: Eddie Friday In Squares
2007: The Color Of Elizabeth’s Eyes
2006: The Result Of A Little Flax In Your Diet
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

If You Could Just Move It A Smidge To The Left

 

The old train depot in Sturgis, Michigan is now the town's Historical Museum. 

Ten years ago it was moved to this spot.  Yes, they moved the whole building.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: One Last Grasp At The Sky
2018: Diner For One
2017: An Actual Manic Monday
2016: Sunday Reading
2015: Do You Give Good Internet? I'll Be Right There.
2014: Where Are We?
2013: Where You'd Go For Camel Repair
2012: The Color Of Happy
2011: Taking Possession Of The Sound
2010: The Bridge People
2009: Knocking Us Off One Candy Bar At A Time
2008: How To Entertain Yourself When Hanging Out With Sight Impaired Adults
2007: Is It REALLY Such A Mystery??
2006: Heading South And Going Country
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Parking Lot Reeds

 

Some weeds at the edge of a parking lot in Corfu, New York.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Soup In A Golden Bowl
2018: Where The Elks Of Globe Went To Gather
2017: For All The Real Easter Lovers Out There
2016: Round Trip
2015: A Delicious Bridge And Tunnel
2014: More Important Than Taxes
2013: Stadium Seating
2012: Where Ed Was Found Roaming The Aisles
2011: If You Happen To Have A Few Hundred Million Lying Around, Have I Got A Deal For You
2010: Another Day At The Port
2009: Buggin’ Out
2008: Hangin’ Out With Ray Stoker Jr.
2007: Sunset On The Move
2006: Happy Easter
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Backlit By The Sun

 

Sunset silhouette in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.,
2019: Our Lady Of Paris
2018: Hand In Hand
2017: Grain Grinder
2016: My Number One Man Next To Our Number One Tree
2015: The Eggplant Link Is The Tastiest
2014: Compliance By Guilt
2013: The Difference A Zero Makes
2012: Pre-Digital
2011: The Sun Sets On The Roughrider State
2010: Diamond Studded Proof
2009: How A Book Defies Its Cover
2008: How To Up Your Chances For A Sweet Monkey Lovin’ Romp
2007: Activities Director
2006: Ah, But It Is SO Worth It
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Weather Event In Vacationland

 

Dysart's truck stop in Hermon, Maine glistening in the rain.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Art Of Clog Making
2018: Beauty Prevails
2017: Approaching The Future Of Space Travel
2016: Hmeep Hmeep!
2015: Spring In The Sky
2014: Power To The Tree
2013: For Mommy
2012: There’s Always Room For La Dolce Vita
2011: Drop It Like It’s Hot
2010: The Art Of Being Tardy
2009: Vantage Point
2008: Cape Cahd Hahba
2007: Waxing Brilliant
2006: Seven! Seven! Seven! Seven! Seveeeeennnn!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Freshly Brewed

 

Ed is a brewed ice tea kind of guy.  He doesn't like it bottled, he doesn't like it flavored, he doesn't like it from a soda fountain, and he doesn't like it sweet.  Which is a shocker since he's a Texan.  Do you know how hard it is to get unsweetened tea in the South without someone looking at you like you have three heads?

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we ate at Timber Kitchen in Maine.  I loved the atmosphere, the rustic decor, and the menu.  I was really looking forward to dinner.  We each had soup (I had French Onion and Ed had the Smoked Seafood Chowder), salad (I had the Littel Timber house salad and Ed had the Caesar), and then we both had the Surf & Turf.  It was delicious, but it was costly.  The bill for the two of us was $238.20.  And we don't even drink!    

Which brings me back to the iced tea...

Ed ordered unsweetened, brewed iced tea.  And the photo above is how it was served.  

The tea was the Ceylon Gold from Tea Forte, which comes in a beautiful pyramid-shaped tea bag.

It was served in the Tea Forte Tea Over Ice Pitcher Set, which was as beautiful as the tea bag and something I think I may be purchasing for our home.  It was so elegant and so personal and made a perfect pitcher of tea just like Ed likes it.

And I think all that beauty explains why the iced tea was $6.00.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Chill Out, They're Fine
2018: Right Of Way
2017: Not A Time For Restful Sleep
2016: Yellow Pop
2015: Union Wharf
2014: Mysterious Exercise
2013: Doris Day Spends The Weekend In Texas
2012: Evening Ball
2011: Taxes And Ta-Tas
2010: Ah, The Subtle Contrasts Of New Jersey
2009: A Fishy Pishy Is Never Dishy
2008: Before The Luck Ran Out
2006: Five Guys I’m In Love With This Week
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Towering Over Main Street

 

It was rainy and overcast this week in Bangor when we decided to go for dinner at Timber Kitchen and Bar.  After soup, salad, and delicious surf and turf, we decided to check out the big guy across the street.  

That guy is Paul Bunyan, standing 31 feet tall and weighing 3,700 pounds.  Rumored to be the largest Paul Bunyan statue in the world, he stands there looking down on Main Street just begging for you to take a selfie with him.  

He's been there since 1959 and built to withstand 110-mph winds.

He's not going anywhere anytime soon.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Jammin' With The Pamplemousse
2018: Who Dat?
2017: Nest
2016: Working On The Railroad
2015: There's A Killer Whale On My Sightseeing List
2014: You Look Hungry, Take These For Later
2013: A Dumpster Diver's Dream
2012: Reigning Over Sitting 300 Days A Year
2011: Raining In Baltimore
2010: Back That Ass Up
2009: Shaved, Slivered, Sliced, Grated, Chunked, And Best Of All, In Meatballs
2008: Too Small For America?
2007: Waiting For A Beautiful Balsamic Splash
2006: Other Weird Things In Utah
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Path Of Totality

 

When we came back to the States from Nova Scotia, Canada earlier this week we had the opportunity to stop and view the solar eclipse in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, which was in the path of totality. 

For two minutes and seventeen seconds, the area was plunged into an eery darkness.  We didn't have special glasses so we couldn't look until the sun was covered, and although I took this photo it still doesn't represent exactly what we were looking at, which was much cooler.

We saw some other people and families come to the truck stop and set up their lawn chairs in the parking lot, waiting for the big event.  On our trip to Nova Scotia through all the states in the path of totality, we saw signs warning of traffic backups and telling people to not stop on the interstates to watch the eclipse, but being in Canada eliminated all of that because there aren't as many people here so the roads were wide open and there wasn't a stitch of traffic.

We saw a lunar eclipse in 2015 and a partial solar eclipse in 2017, and now we have this one in the books.  I'm happy we got to experience this even though we didn't even try to see it - we just happened to be in the right place at the right time - because the next one that will hit the Lower 48 won't be for another twenty-one years!

So unless we plan to travel to see other eclipses around the world (which we won't), this year is going to mark our special moment with the moon, sun, and a bunch of strangers in a parking lot in Canada.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Top Of The Parmigiana List
2018: Stay In Your Lane
2017: Don't Even Go There
2016: Pretty Purple Prickly Pears
2015: Visually Artistic Lighting
2014: I Lost Sleep Looking At All These Links
2013: Five Facets Of Comfort
2012: The Daily Rant Brings You The Daily Commute
2011: Not For The Shy
2010: A Barge And A Lady
2009: Easter Preparation Takes Its Toll
2008: Eddie In The Blue Friday
2007: The Man Filter
2006: There Is Still A Chance
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Wicked Good Lobstah

We're in Maine. And I'm in heaven.  The weather is right up my alley, chilly with a mix of sun and clouds.  It couldn't be more perfect for me.

Because we're in Maine, we had to have lobster.  So we bobtailed (that's driving the truck without the trailer) over to Angler's Restaurant.  It was recommended to us by one of the locals at the truck stop.

Ed ordered the clam chowder and a whole lobster.  I don't like to work for my food - cracking, picking, digging, sucking - so I ordered the broiled scallops and haddock.  I wasn't thrilled with my dish - I wish it had a few more scallops and the haddock had a little more flavor - but it hit the spot since we wanted seafood.  Ed really liked his lobster - it was sweet and meaty. 

The restaurant is family-owned and during our dinner, the owner came over to check in on us.  We told him we were truckers and drove over from Bangor for lobster.  

"Is that your truck out there in the parking lot?" he said.

"Yes," we said.

"Wow.  It's a cawkah." he said.

"A cawkah?" I said.

Yeah, a cawkah."  

I just smiled.  I had no idea what he meant. We chatted a few more minutes about trucking and food and then he moved on to the next table full of guests.

If you know anything about Maine, you know they have a bit of their own language.  I mean, a lot of words and phrases you've never heard anywhere else.  More, I think, than any other part of the country.  Corker?  That means something amazing or remarkable.   

But what do I know?  I'm from away.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Grapes, Raisins, Or Wine...All Delicious
2018: Dominion Over Copper Mining
2017: Getting Served
2016: Bringing 1946 Back To Life
2015: Vintage Heaven
2014: No Wonder China Is The Exporting Superpower
2013: 109 Miles Of White Knuckle Passengering 
2012: Strong
2011: The Man Unmasked
2010: Fingers Crossed For All Things Motorized!
2009: Eddie Forces A Smile Friday
2008: A, B, C, D, DD: No Matter What The Letter, The Trauma Is The Same
2007: How To Watch American Idol The Right Way
2006: Dings And Hos
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

True Xeriscape

In Arizona, you'll see lots of these metal sculptures.  I bought one for my mother that she keeps near her front porch - it's a basket with large, red flowers "growing" out of it.

I've seen a few around our neighborhood.  One yard has them planted in the ground like regular flowers, circled at the bast with landscaping rocks.

I like the color they add to the otherwise dull, brown desert landscape.

And, they don't need to be watered, which is a plus.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: How Sweet It Is
2018: Lit Since 1965
2017: Smoke Rings In The Light
2016: This is FONTastic!!
2015: Perky For Spring
2014: Spring In Wyoming
2013: Texas For Immigration
2012: Mys-Understanding
2011: Zumba In My Dreams
2010: Eddie Peep Show Friday
2009: Some Like It Hot
2008: The Desert Blooms With Irritants
2007: Squeeze Me?
2006: Relationship Deal Breakers
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

In The Cumberland Valley

Downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  

From Wikipedia:

"Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2020 census, the borough population was 20,118; including suburbs in the neighboring townships, 37,695 live in the Carlisle urban cluster. Carlisle is the smaller principal city of the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area, which includes Cumberland and Dauphin and Perry counties in South Central Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Army War College, located at Carlisle Barracks, prepares high-level military personnel and civilians for strategic leadership responsibilities. Carlisle Barracks ranks among the oldest U.S. Army installations and the most senior military educational institution in the United States Army. Carlisle Barracks is home to the United States Army Heritage and Education Center, an archives and museum complex open to the public. Carlisle also hosts Penn State Dickinson School of Law and Dickinson College."

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Inches Of Luxury
2018: No Room At The Tonto
2017: Skies Are Always Sunnier From The Left
2016: Talking Back Isn't Such A Bad Thing After All
2015: Staying Entertained During The Load Hunt
2014: Olive You
2013: Digging Through The Memory Bank
2012: Hoochie Easter
2011: Make It Yourself Or Just Stay Home
2010: If It Walks Like A Duck…
2009: Pink In Tacoma
2008: Not The Kind Of Flower You Pick
2007: Exclusive Holiday Visitation
2006: Basket Of Knowledge
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Ben Watched Us All Night

 

We were on our way to Nova Scotia when a Nor'easter decided to blow through and blanket our path with snow.  Rather than continuing on, we shut down in Pennsylvania waiting for it to pass.  When we planned to get started again, the customer called and pushed the delivery date forward three days.  

So instead of hanging out in the truck, we decided to hang out with Ben Franklin for a few nights, at the Hilton Homewood Suites in downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Decent hotel, brand new, clean, free breakfast, and nice, basic decor with artwork referencing the Colonial history of the area.

Back to the grind on Monday.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: How About I Turn My Head A Little To The Right?
2018: Here, Hold This For A Minute
2017: Go For A Walk Or Take A Bath? That's A No-Brainer.
2016: An Area Illuminated By The Bright Light Of Trinity
2015: Tugging At Human Heartstrings
2014: Don't Be Crabby Because It's Monday
2013: If You See One Of These, Please Follow Instructions
2012: Not A Deterrent
2011: Wooden You Love Some New Toys?
2010: In Truck Portrait
2009: Unwatchable
2008: Nesting
2007: The Quickest Way To Get Ready For A Nap
2006: One Stop Shopping
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Pacific Northwest Haven

 The Boat Haven Marina in Port Townsend, Washington.




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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Mile High Walking
2018: So Succulent
2017: Dough Meets Grill
2016: As If Florida Isn't Crazy Enough
2015: Guac, Not Eggs
2014: Beyond Restoration?
2013: Don't Let The Pretty Label Fool You
2012: True Trucker Confession
2011: Spring Buds And An M3
2010: International Relations
2009: Waiting For The Storm IN Ohio
2008: Sprawl
2007: Moonlighting
2006: Spring Breath Escapes Through Two Lips
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Taxi To Adventure

The pier at the end of Olsen Road in Tofino, British Columbia is where you'll find the Meares Island Water Taxi.

Book a trip with them and they'll take you to "explore the inlets and islands of beautiful Clayoquot Sound."

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Lonely Chile Relleno
2018: Skeleton Crew
2017: Swiss Precision In The Kitchen
2016: Trucking Across The American West
2015: Happy Easter!
2014: At The Water's Edge
2013: The Best Money Ever Spent
2012: Hip In Texas
2011: My Beaver, My Rules
2010: Don’t Forget The Alamo!
2009: Straight Out Of The Box
2008: Unreal Ideal
2007: Stealing Isn’t Always A Bad Thing
2006: 04 05 06
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Highly Prized Trees Of Life

 

British Columbia's provincial tree, the Western redcedar, is prized by residents of this western Canadian province and is one of the longest-lived trees in the world. 

I took this photo in Coombs, BC.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Southwest Sunrise
2018: Dream. Plan. Ride.
2017: Accidental Exercise
2016: Boys Versus Girls

2015: Changing A Brat Into A Real Girl
2014: Floating Across The Hood Canal
2013: My Small Recipe For Success
2012: This Song Would Get ME In For A Nap
2011: That Truck Driving Woman
2010: Spring Blooms
2009: Petal Tips Of Spring And A New Life
2008: Eddie In Hawaiian Garb Friday
2007: New Floridork?
2006: Boogie Down Bronx
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!