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
Going to the Woodshed
I think I have a good memory. But I forgot this: Sixty-five years ago our family stopped at a Jersey diner on our way to board the Queen Mary for Cherbourg. I was nine years old, and had yet to … Read More
Embâcle much?
Crossing Illinois we came to the Embarrass River. AI says embarrass is French for obstruction or logjam. AI is mistaken. The French word for obstruction or logjam is embâcle. Every Francophile knows this. AI is too wealthy and soulless to … Read More