Day 1: Blazing the trail

Day 1
August 17, 2007
By Jamie

Mileage 53,624

Craig and Jamie on a road trip – naturally we get a delayed start. It’s about 3:45 by the time we get out of the Twin Cities. Craig flies low and we make excellent time to Ioway.

Our FIRST stop on our trip is Mason City to fill up with gas. As I open to door to get out of the car, my camera drops out of my pocket. Busted. Craig’s camera is officially on double duty.

First destination is Winterset, IA. That’s right. Winterset. Birthplace of John Wayne and home to the John Wayne Museum. (He lived there about three months.) Winterset is in Madison County, famed for its glorious covered bridges. They’re like normal wood bridges, but they’re covered. Friggin’ covered! Certainly worthy of many books and movies.

Around 7:45 we roll into Winterset, IA and Craig’s mom’s place. Wilma’s a total sweetheart. We have a lovely casserole (we tried to explain that it was really a hot dish) with Wilma and her hubby Larry. Both great folks. Wilma’s a little incapacitated at the moment. A month ago she took a stumble and broke BOTH shoulders. The ball part of the ball and socket joints are both broken in two places. Ouch. She’s still in pain but her spirits don’t seem to be dampened too much. She’s basically wrapped up like a burrito. Mmmm … burritos. After dinner Craig and I play a short set for Wilma and Larry in the living room. I like to think the lack of applause is due to Wilma’s injury. And Larry didn’t want to make her jealous by showing off his ability to clap. That was my take anyway. It was good fun.

After the session (around 11:30) Craig and I head into Winterset to explore the burgeoning night life. One third of the bars in town (Chancer’s) have been having problems with cockroaches, so it was closed. We then went to the Pheasant Run, formerly known as the Blue Note From the Movie, but still regarded as The Corner Tap. It’s a friggin’ Packers bar in the middle of Iowa. Met some nice folks there and then moved on to the Gold Star Bar. The Gold Star is a vast landscape of booze and excitement. They’ve got everything. A bowling alley, racquetball court, a video rental store, air hockey, full arcade, pool tables, and the stench of moxie. And they have Karaoke on a huge stage. I sang Mama Tried (Merle Haggard) and Craig sang Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell). The sound quality of the system was actually pretty awesome. We rocked it. We met a few more nice folks there, the most memorable being the last guy we met on the way out…

As we’re getting ready to leave the Gold Star, we strike up a conversation with another feller named Jamie. He wears a pink shirt and sells Owens Corning basement systems. After chatting with him for a while he stops ans asks, “Are you guys a couple?” We have a good chuckle and explain that no, we’re not. He says he understands. As the conversation moves to a different topic, it’s clear to me he is convinced we’re a closeted gay couple. It’s not clear to Craig. So, while Craig is waxing poetic on some different subject the guy stops him, looks him square in the eye and they have the following exchange:

Pink shirt Jamie:
“Are you a good person.”
Befuddled and confused Craig:
“Um, I think so.”
PSJ:
“Then why do you give a shit what other people think?”
BCC:
“Um, I don’t know.”
PSJ:
“You need to forget about them and live your own life.”
BCC:
“Uh, yes.”
PSJ:
“Blaze your own trail, man. Blaze your own trail.”
BCC:
“Okay.”

Considering Craig didn’t know what the guy is talking about, and he won’t believe me anyway I don’t bother interjecting. We wrap up the conversation and head for home. On the drive, I can’t stop laughing as I explain to Craig what just happened. I suspect it won’t be the last time on the trip this assumption is made. Frankly I’m surprised I didn’t hear any Brokeback jokes in the weeks leading up to the trip. Maybe we need to change our story. What sounds more masculine: “Our band is on tour.” Or “We’re on a two week getaway.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Blaze your own trail, man.

PS
If you’re ever on a long drive, typing a long blathering blog entry seems to be a good way to pass the time.