HockeyDude!: THE HOME STRETCH!!!

[muon2]

When you were delayed out of Denver I had a question, which I think I now have answered. The question was whether the bus would try to make up time by shortening rest stops. The answer seems to be no. I wonder if they started a fresh bus from KC at the normal time?

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

When you were delayed out of Denver I had a question, which I think I now have answered. The question was whether the bus would try to make up time by shortening rest stops. The answer seems to be no. I wonder if they started a fresh bus from KC at the normal time?

No.  They backed up everything big time.  I really have no idea how Greyhound goes about scheduling these things.

[dead0man]

On the topic of Kansas (and Nebraska too), I have to say that the tourism people out there are extremely resourceful, despite having almost nothing to work with. Lots of people pass through, and Kansans, trying to get people to stop and drop a few dollars have thought of a million kitchy tourist things for people do along the way. Come see the world's largest ball of twine. Seriously. http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm

When I was a wee lad, we stopped off at something advertising THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRAIRIE DOG!  It was a 15' tall wooden.....thing.  They also had large boxes full of rattlesnakes and wire cages with raccoon in them and several "freak" farm animals (goats with two heads, cows with 6 legs...ya know, the kind of thing you get if you inbreed your livestock for several generations).  Oh and an American Bison (I refuse to call them buffalo since they aint) nearly crushed my sister.  It was all very depressing....even to an 8 year old that should have been impressed with such things.


...and Googling shows me it still exists and is still depressing.  link

[muon2]

On the topic of Kansas (and Nebraska too), I have to say that the tourism people out there are extremely resourceful, despite having almost nothing to work with. Lots of people pass through, and Kansans, trying to get people to stop and drop a few dollars have thought of a million kitchy tourist things for people do along the way. Come see the world's largest ball of twine. Seriously. http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm

When I was a wee lad, we stopped off at something advertising THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRAIRIE DOG!  It was a 15' tall wooden.....thing.  They also had large boxes full of rattlesnakes and wire cages with raccoon in them and several "freak" farm animals (goats with two heads, cows with 6 legs...ya know, the kind of thing you get if you inbreed your livestock for several generations).  Oh and an American Bison (I refuse to call them buffalo since they aint) nearly crushed my sister.  It was all very depressing....even to an 8 year old that should have been impressed with such things.


...and Googling shows me it still exists and is still depressing.  link

That reminds me of my encounter in KS with Big Brutus during a road trip I reported on here.

Day 13 This was the long leg with over 750 miles of driving. We planned only one stop to see the Oklahoma City memorial. For those of you too young to remember, it recognizes the 168 victims of the domestic terrorist bombing on April 19, 1995. The memorial is quite nice, fitting into the space of the old Murrah federal building, and noting the victims of the attack.

We didn't have a second stop planned, but serendipity changed plans for us. We needed to gas up near the OK/MO line and I chose to exit at Miami, OK. I also noted that we were close to Kansas and some geneological research I did last year suggested that I had ancestors in Cherokee County, KS just after the Civil War. Since that county was immediately north of where we were I decided on a side trip to see what the area looked like.

As we drove towards the town of West Mineral there was a sign for something called Big Brutus. Before long we saw a large structure sticking out above the trees. It turns out that the second largest coal scoop ever operated has become a tourist attraction. It is truly BIG, measuring 16 stories and 5500 tons. The admission lets you climb into the rig and get a sense of its immensity.


After that hour+ diversion, we got back to the road. We ended late in the evening in St. Louis in the Hyatt hotel fit into old Union Station. The space has preserved much of the station's character and our room looks out on the mall that fills the old platform space.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

^ thank you guys for contributing weird and wacky sights from Kansas.  I would've actually gone and seen the coal scoop.

So, I arrived in Pittsburgh this morning to start the last leg of my journey.  I won't talk about all the bad elements (cough...Penguins...cough...Steelers), but I'll throw in a promo for Niko's Coffee.  A wonderful little shop.  Great atmosphere and spotless restrooms.  Top notch!  I'm enjoying a cup of their dark roast as we speak.

[angus]

Floyd must be getting pretty ripe by now.  You bring along anything to change into?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Floyd must be getting pretty ripe by now.  You bring along anything to change into?

Goddamnit, angus I was thinking the same thing.  Wouldn't wanna be sitting next our nephew, Hokey.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Floyd must be getting pretty ripe by now.  You bring along anything to change into?

Goddamnit, angus I was thinking the same thing.  Wouldn't wanna be sitting next our nephew, Hokey.

Changed into my Queen shirt right after I got that coffee as a matter of fact!

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Floyd must be getting pretty ripe by now.  You bring along anything to change into?

Goddamnit, angus I was thinking the same thing.  Wouldn't wanna be sitting next our nephew, Hokey.

Changed into my Queen shirt right after I got that coffee as a matter of fact!

You're gay?  Oy vey.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Floyd must be getting pretty ripe by now.  You bring along anything to change into?

Goddamnit, angus I was thinking the same thing.  Wouldn't wanna be sitting next our nephew, Hokey.

Changed into my Queen shirt right after I got that coffee as a matter of fact!

You're gay?  Oy vey.

Oh Uncle Gramps, being a fan of Queen is not like the 70s anymore, it's actually very chic nowadays!

[Lief 🗽]

Queen is one of the most heterosexual bands in existence, IMO if I had to rank them.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Queen is one of the most heterosexual bands in existence, IMO if I had to rank them.

Please don't interrupt me when I'm busting Hokey's balls, Lief. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

King of Prussia Mall.  Back in the Philly Metro.  Oh so close!

[© tweed]

wow, I would NOT want to down an energy drink and then go sit in a bus for hours.  bus rides are opiate/benzo territory.

I tried to grab a couple Percocet but my potential contact never came through.  I am finally getting sleepy, though.

they don't drug test for opiates in the military?

I am no longer in the military (reference "Hockeydude in crisis" thread for explanation) This is my journey back home to NJ.

are you able to explain what exactly happened?  (my apologies if you've already done so elsewhere and I missed it)

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

wow, I would NOT want to down an energy drink and then go sit in a bus for hours.  bus rides are opiate/benzo territory.

I tried to grab a couple Percocet but my potential contact never came through.  I am finally getting sleepy, though.

they don't drug test for opiates in the military?

I am no longer in the military (reference "Hockeydude in crisis" thread for explanation) This is my journey back home to NJ.

are you able to explain what exactly happened?  (my apologies if you've already done so elsewhere and I missed it)

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=197084.0

Basically I refused the treatment mentioned and got a general discharge under honorable conditions.  I felt that's what was best for me.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

SUP PHILLY!!!

Edit: and here's a pigeon just chillin in the station

[angus]

Welcome home sailor.

[J-Mann]

On the topic of Kansas (and Nebraska too), I have to say that the tourism people out there are extremely resourceful, despite having almost nothing to work with. Lots of people pass through, and Kansans, trying to get people to stop and drop a few dollars have thought of a million kitchy tourist things for people do along the way. Come see the world's largest ball of twine. Seriously. http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm

When I was a wee lad, we stopped off at something advertising THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRAIRIE DOG!  It was a 15' tall wooden.....thing.  They also had large boxes full of rattlesnakes and wire cages with raccoon in them and several "freak" farm animals (goats with two heads, cows with 6 legs...ya know, the kind of thing you get if you inbreed your livestock for several generations).  Oh and an American Bison (I refuse to call them buffalo since they aint) nearly crushed my sister.  It was all very depressing....even to an 8 year old that should have been impressed with such things.


...and Googling shows me it still exists and is still depressing.  link

You were just a few miles outside of Oakley, KS, my friend -- Exit 70 or so along I-70. Prairie Dog Town has vehicles from all over the country constantly filling its parking lot, because the owner bought junk cars and license plates from other states to make the place look like it was hoppin'.

You always think that a five-legged cow is going to be some sort of miracle animal, till you actually see it, fly- and feces-covered, with a dead appendage dangling from its side. The goats are far too aggressive, and the rattlesnake boxes are scary and sad at the same time, as no animal should live like they do.

I think it has been closed for a year or two, now, though I could be wrong. I'm in Oakley quite often. I'll have to check next time I'm there.

[J-Mann]

King of Prussia Mall.  Back in the Philly Metro.  Oh so close!

The company I work for designs a system that helps control the traffic right outside of there. It's a challenge, given the volume in and out, but you should have seen it back in the day!