A Helluva Weekend

"And All My Days Are Trances..." Mis-Inflammation

A Helluva Weekend

Given the dearth of nearby geocaches I've yet to find, it's always a treat tosee new ones published that aren't that far away. A trio of new caches popped upon my map Friday — out in Floyd County, about an hour northwest of here. Since Icouldn't get out there at the time, I got up early on Saturday morning, grabbedcoffee and a danish at the nearby Valero Fas-Mart (their coffee does rock), and sallied forth onto the shadowy backroads. Long ago(the 1970s) and far away (about 20 miles), I attended Ferrum College , and I frequented these backroads, usually seeking the influence of what somemight consider illicit substances. There was a commune called Travianas in thisarea that I used to visit frequently, and I read not all that long ago was stillin existence. I don't remember exactly how we used to get there, but I waspretty close to the location, though.

My destination was a placecalled Riverstone Farm , a gorgeous place in the middle of nowhere, more or less, with a little storewhere you can buy their fresh produce, and it's all on the honor system. Youweigh your produce, fill out your own sales slip, and drop your money in a slot.I picked up a couple of fabulous fresh tomatoes, which weighed over a pound, for$5. And I got first-to-find honors on all three of the new caches, each of whichwas nicely done. I so appreciate geocaches that lead me to such splendidlocations that I would surely never have discovered otherwise.

On myway home, I stopped for lunch at the Railway Café in Bassett. A delicious fried chicken sandwich and a much-neededcold iced tea. Damn, it was hot out there.

The Riverstone Farm produce store

Trail along the Little River

A purty trail view
Last night, we saw the news of Donald Trump getting winged by a shooter. I've seen all sorts of conspiracy theories, lots of anger, and all too much true hate, enough to be totally overwhelming. I have a lot of things I can say on this issue, but not here and now. A bit later, I will.

This morning, again I rose early, grabbed coffee and a danish at the nearby Valero Fas-Mart, and hauled myself down to Burlington, NC, where I met friend Scott (a.k.a. Diefenbaker) for a day of caching in Hillsborough. As it has been lately, it was hot out there. Fuckin' hot. We both added quite a few to our total number of finds, including a bunch along the Eno Riverwalk . Another gorgeous location I enjoy visiting, and — as we usually do when in the area — we grabbed lunch at Hillsborough BBQ Company . Smoked chicken wings for me today, and damned good.

My favorite find of the day was probably the very photogenic black rat snake we ran across at Blackwood Farm Park .

I've no idea what level of madness our country and the world will reach this week, but I've no doubt it'll set a new fucking record.