I Am a Motorcoach . . .

. . . here to tell ya, I’m all about respecting my elders. Not only are Two Six Four and Two Six Zero (last week’s blog) among the most experienced and accomplished of the coaches in our fleet, they evidently have a whole bunch of clout as well. ‘Cos that Two Seven Three fella they were unhappy with is nowhere to be found around our garage anymore. The big news is . . . ya ready for this? The big news is: Two Seven Three has been replaced . . . drum roll . . . BY ME! That’s right, Two Eight Zero here, and proud to be here. I’m the newest of the new at the garage. Four weeks from fresh paint and first treads. You can’t imagine the relief and excitement of passing MCI’s rigorous quality control tests and finally getting the OK to wear my super cool Mid-American Coaches decals. And yes, I REEK of new motorcoach smell! Ha ha-a-a-a, the beauty of it! And no, I’m not the least bit self-conscious about being the only non-red coach in the fleet. Heck, when you’re brand new like me, you’ve got so many design updates and fancy features, what’s a little thing like color? Besides, I’m still plenty red inside where it counts . . .

Now, I may be new, but I’m not lacking in smarts. If Two Six Four and Two Six Zero think it’s important to make something of old-school stuff, I’m on it. Here’s some way-back reflections from one of my first road trips . . .

Selfies

(which by definition means I’m in them . . . though you might have to look for me)

Arrow Rock, Missouri was founded back in the days when things west of the Mississippi were still being settled old style.

That was back when folks got real mail, something called “letters.” But they weren’t delivered by the Pony Express, at least not in the early going. This town predates the Pony Express.

One of the main attractions in Arrow Rock is the Lyceum Theater. An abandoned church building from “back in the day” was fixed up for Broadway caliber shows, now over half a century running.

I was checking out the town when . . . “OK, who’s the runt sniffin’ my factory fresh treads? Look, buster, resist any of those mongrel ideas inspired by the scent of petroleum product.”

“Name’s Benz, not Buster. I am no mongrel and wouldn’t think of marking your pretty rubber shoes. You are looking at a beast with class.”

“Benz, like the car?”

“You got it. But in my case, English make with a name of German prestige. Have a gaze at this stout suspension system. Impressive, Eh? Hey, I hear my walking partner’s whistle. Gotta run.”

MEETING THE NEWS on the roadways of America, first-hand, real time, real world news—going out and discovering the news . . .

LANDMARK NEWS: In 1963 the village of Arrow Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior, National Parks Service. Located in Saline County, Missouri, Arrow Rock has important historical ties to the westward expansion and the Santa Fe Trail.

FRENCH NEWS: The name Arrow Rock refers to a flinty bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The region’s two prominent Indian tribes, the Osage and the Missouri, made use of the flint in crafting arrowheads. “Pierre a Fleche” (Rock of Arrows) was the name given by French traders in the early 18th Century.

FERRIES IN THE NEWS: Like so many river towns, Arrow Rock began as an ideal site for a ferry (1815) as settlers crossed the Missouri heading westward. In the early 1820s, Santa Fe trading caravans began making use of the ferry at Arrow Rock. And like many other ferry sites, where the ferry landed the saloon, the mercantile, and the bank soon made a home.

ART NEWS: George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879),”The Missouri Artist,” made Arrow Rock his home from 1827 to 1857. Renowned for his paintings and drawings depicting all facets of life on the frontier, Bingham was also an influential voice in regional civic affairs.

BIGGER NEWS: Ya ready for this? The bigger news is . . . drum roll . . . Two Eight One is on the way! Yes, a few finishing touches at the factory and Two Eight One – model year 2018 – will be making its way to our garage. And just like that, I will already have some seniority!

(Unlike selfies, these are not about me, but about travel discoveries I think you’d like to know about.)

Arrow Rock is home to Theater production professional from all over the country six months of the year. They in turn make Arrow Rock and the Lyceum Theater a travel destination for many other out-of-towners.

Thirteen miles from Arrow Rock, where hwy 41 meets I-70, The settlers Inn, according to my passengers, is home style (“Pass the potatoes please”) and DE-lish!

Quote Of The Day samples

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” ―DJ Koze (Lyric)

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ―Lao Tzu

“I love the sweet smell of dawn – our unique daily opportunity to smell time, to smell opportunity, each morning being a new beginning.” ―Emme Woodhull-Bache