Google

Google is brilliant. I would venture to guess that virtually everyone reading this has used it at least once today. Shopping, weather, info lookup, and of course my favorite, maps. The maps allow me to set the default to cycling so it gives me routes that keep me off the main highways. In fact, the maps will tell you where the traffic is and can provide alternates. If Jim Bob’s pickup truck full of cow manure overturns and creates a 3-mile backup, Google knows about it, turns the road red on the map, and sends you a different way. When Billy Joe, Sally Joe, and Bubba Joe get it cleaned up, Google knows and updates the map. You would think with technology like that, they would be able to tell you when a f***ing road is closed. Not for the first time, I ended up following the Google map, enjoying the ride and minding my my own business only to run into a “Detour - Road Closed” sign. Today it only cost cost me a mile and a half or so, but other times it has been far more inconvenient. Some of these roads have been closed for months because of washouts or landslides. You’d think someone would have come along during that time and mentioned it to the Googlers that are in charge of that app!

The best part of the day, as is becoming a recurring theme, was having dinner and a beer with another old friend from Rice, Kristen Swartwout. Sadly, neither of us brought a deck of cards so we could reprise our old gin games. We sat outside and caught up for as long as I could stand the cold in my shorts and flip flops, and then I got a nice lift back to my hotel. At least the hotel room doesn’t smell like urine any more. I must be getting used to it. That’s what I get for staying at the Colonial Inn and Spa.

This seems a bit rude. But then again, the children probably can’t read it

Nice setup overlooking the Connecticut River

Wild turkeys hanging out in this yard.

Wow. Shocked no one could think of a better name

Leaving Massachusetts the same way I entered it. A dirt and gravel road in the middle of a forest.