This reminds me of a another story. I was living in Ohio and going to college. Saturday morning came and I had no plans for the weekend, so I thought maybe I would head up to the Falls (Niagara Falls) and see what's shaking. As I crossed into Pennsylvania, there was a sign along the road, (I seldom drove the interstates) that read, "Stop in Hometown and see the world's oldest bartender." (This is not the Hometown, PA near Philly. It's an unincorporated little burg) On the way, I wondered how will I know what bar to go to. Once I got to Hometown, it was easy to figure out. I think there were maybe a half dozen homes, one old (really old) gas station and a bar. I go inside and I sat down and this man, who looked to be about 45 walked over to me and asked what did I want. I told him that I saw a sign that said to stop and see the world's oldest bartender. So, where is he? He yelled, "Hey, Grampa, can you come here? We have another tourist. He finally makes his way out of the back room and says to me, "What the Hell do you want?" I was taken aback by this old, old man, so I said anything on draft and how old are you? He says, "102." I asked him if he could prove it. He slowly reaches behind his back, (I thought he was going for a gun, so I was ready to run) and he pulled out his wallet. You know this old man actually had a VALID driver's license. I darn near fell off the bar stool.Back to the question: Would I travel alone? That's the ONLY way I travel. Hop in my vehicle and take off to Baja, Mexico and several times up the Alcan into Alaska. (which I can't stay away from) Take off to Arizona or California. Go the backroads and see the REAL country. Singing all the way! Yes, I'm a fool!
Hahaha! Once I told my "boyfriend" at the time, I was going next week to Alaska. He said,"Oh, Please take me with you. Please, please , please!" I told him,"No. Sorry ,i'm going alone." "Oh please,please,please!" Finally,I gave in and said, "O.K., Be here at 5:00 A.M.on Tuesday. That's when i'm leaving." he showed up as I was packing the vehicle. "Just one thing!" he said. "I need you to give me $5000."
"What?" I was confused. "Why would I do THAT?"
He said," because if I flirt with a waitress or something you might leave me stranded thousands of miles away!"
"No, I wouldn't do that, but you're not coming along. I AM going to leave you stranded right here!"
Life is to be lived as an adventure! if you want to go somewhere, why not just GO? Why do you need another person? Adventure! Explore! Test your mettle! Find out what you're made of! Sit alone in an old diner at midnight and watch the rain on the window as you listen to the Sons of the Pioneers playing in the background. Stand on a mountain top, look out over the land and say "This is the West!" Sneak in the door of a 100 year old bar and SMELL the cigars, the Whiskey, the smoke saturated wooden boards, not to drink, but to soak up the HISTORY of the place. Emerse yourself in LIFE!
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