A Winner of a Day

I got home from Afton Station just in time to watch the Kentucky Derby, which I haven't missed since I was 15 years old.   I used to be able to actually attend it, but for the last dozen years or so I've watched on TV, cried during the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home", and had a mint julep.  This year no mint julep, however I did have my imaginary bet on ORB, the winner!   That just capped off a true winner of a day.

Many of our visitors were from out of the country this day.   These two intrepid folks from Zurich, Switzerland were biking on this chilly, rainy morning.  They intend to take the whole ride, from Chicago to L.A., and are over 1/3 of the way now.   They've allowed three months for the trek.  Wow, I'm in awe of this couple!

This couple from Tokyo Japan is doing the second part of a two-part trip.  They explored Route 66 from Tulsa to Cali last year and this year they're visiting the eastern portion.  They also deserve my respect, since they are venturing forth with almost no English.

Continuing with our parade of foreign visitors, here is a lovely couple from Aolst, Belgium. . .

. . . and more fun folks, from Bristol, England.  Why is it that Route 66 travelers, no matter what country they come from, are always the nicest and most interesting folks?

 Of course, our domestic visitors aren't bad, either!   Today we met folks from Tonganoxie, Kansas and Anchorage, Alaska.  Additionally, Ron M. was with me today and Tattoo Man and Crazy Legs also stopped by.  Excitement is breaking out all over now that it's just a few months until the International Route 66 Festival in Joplin.  Can't wait!

Ron M. was cleaning out his piano bench in preparation for giving the piano away and came across several copies of the National Lampoon from 1976.   They are a hoot!   We had very little time to read them today, but will gradually savor the political humor, which never seems to get outdated.  Here he is perusing the Bicentennial Issue.

There's a Tow Mater imposter in Chelsea, OK!   We saw him on our way to Afton this morning, in front of the Chelsea flea market.   We all know that the real Tow Mater lives at "Cars on the Route" in Galena, KS.  Perhaps this is a kissin' cousin. . .