Date:         Fri, 30 May 2003 10:33:19 -0400
Reply-To:     george jannini <georgejoann@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         george jannini <georgejoann@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Trip Report
Content-Type: text/plain

   We're up in New England early this year, instead of our accustomed
autumn trip, partly to take full advantage of a stalled weather front
that's been dumping rain on us off and on ever since the middle of the
month when we were camped on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Our cat
Beau, who has been enjoying all sorts of outdoor adventures, is beginning
to look somewhat mossy.  So far, he's amused himself by chasing annoying
flocks of geese off our camp site and had to be restrained from going
after a raccoon.  In addition to those exploits, I rescued a field mouse
that he was playing with, but he did manage to bag himself a sparrow.   A
fifteen year old diabetic, he refuses to act his age, and like us,
prefers bus trips to condo life.

   But the main reason we're early to New England is that after thirty
some years, Jo has finally graduated colledge, <G> and her commencement
ceremony is this coming Sunday down in Hartford.  If you want to watch
her collect her diploma, they'll be webcasting the ceremony at
www.webcast.charteroak.edu on Sunday June 1 at 2 PM EDT.  It requires a
56k modem, Windows Media Player 6.4 or higher or Real Player 7.0 or
higher.  You'll easily recognise her 'cos she'll be the person wearing
the mortarboard and gown. <EG>

   We saw something new to us at a fuel stop/convenience store/McDonald's
in Western New York near Seneca Falls. The management had provided two
nice wide buggy spaces at the rear of the parking lot for Amish devotees
of its delicious fast food.  And, in addition, an oversize shovel for
their scooping convenience.  The actual reason we found ourselves at
Mickey D's wasn't for our own nourishment, but because we've discovered
that whenever Mr. Beau begins to get cranky, buying him a hamburger will
calm him.  Unfortunately, the McDonald's highly trained staff has a tough
time coping with the concept of naked hamburger patty, hold the pickle,
ketchup, mustard and bun.  The living dead, I call 'em.


   Meanwhile, back in New England...

   A wicked awesome notion came to me yesterday...I'm convinced this will
work.  I drove down Franconia Notch to see what the mountainside looks
like without its famous profile, and then I got to thinking that they
should put an enormous smiley face where the Great Stone Face used to be.
 Something flashy ought to bring tourists in droves, and New Hampshire,
being notoriously cheapskate, won't even have to pay royalties because
Mr. S. Face's likeness is in the public domain!  In addition, I'll bet
the installation would be a cinch, because I'm sure that the executives
at Wal-Mart will absolutely *love* the idea and erect it for free.
Everybody wins!

        George, Jo & Beau/ATL
        '89 WesTiico, Wernher