Driving west we hit the twistiest roads of all. We muscled through Ozark County along stomach-flipping slalom courses that make pretzels look straight, through tight curves where Erifnus could see her own back bumper. Headed toward Branson we hit the … Read More
Weston Bend
Of the billion great sunsets in Missouri’s history, the bluff atop Weston Bend State Park has offered the closest view. Well, OK, Forbes and Fortescue are a bit farther west than Weston. So is Winthrop and Watson, and two dozen … Read More
Scariest Museum
The arrow smashed into his jaw, knocking out five teeth. He kept riding. It was his second wound, delivered from his pursuers. He had jerked the first arrow out of his shoulder, and kept riding. Now Pony Bob’s mouth had … Read More
New Mexico Hot Spot
Las Cruces embraces New Mexico’s most savory product: We pulled into Big Chile Inn. Would have slept inside the big chile, but it was too hot. Yeah, technically the world’s largest Chile wraps around South America’s tail. But there’s another … Read More
Unsavory President
Plattsburg sits pretty, with much of its old architecture intact. Main street bustles and the town is well manicured, featuring a row of delightful old homes, including Victorian gingerbread houses along the boulevard. The town’s elegant demeanor is what you’d … Read More
Glass half empty
Serious issues divide America. Flashpoints appear regularly. The most fundamental battle lines will be drawn over access to water. When you stand on the parched, cracked bottom of Lake Mead and Vegas asks South Dakota to divert the waters of … Read More
Calm before the chaos
A carny sleeps off the Midland, Texas morning. A ride called The Tornado stayed folded in its trailer. “…there was no motion. Nobody coming or going. There were no carnies or talkers or troupers, no roustabouts or ride jockeys, no … Read More
…in Order to form a more perfect Union…
The long green mall runs from Independence Hall to the National Constitution Center past a big bronze bell that has a crack. People love it. Not surprising. People are fascinated by cracks. The bell cracked the first time the clapper … Read More
Coat of Many Colors
Texas County. On my way to a speech in the hometown of Porter Wagoner, I paused beneath golden arches for lunch. Minutes earlier a radio bulletin informed me that Porter Wagoner’s most famous protégé had just died. I found a … Read More