The drive home from the Winefest was fairly uneventful, no deer, antelope, or wayward truckers. I hit the cruise control, settled back and Dudette and I talked for a lot of the drive, taking in the scenery.
The scenery included a lot of billboards. Especially as you head towards Abilene...
Every mile or so, there would be a billboard: "Visit The Aeronautical Museum: Abilene Exit XX", "See The Wild West Museum: Abilene Exit XIX", "Visit The Old Railroad System And Take A Ride On The Historic Rails: Abilene Exit XIIX"...
It seemed like the only source of commerce for Abilene is museums. That and being the home of Dwight D. Eisenhower (yup. museum for that too).
Now, from here on down for a while, this is speculation on my part using the materials at hand. So, don't jump to conclusions. This is how it "looks" to me. And to me, it looks pretty funny.
The reason I paid any attention to Abilene in the first place (other than they keep billboard companies in business) is because of the ruckus they have been raising about an "Adolt Supor Store". The town people were raising hell about the "huge" billboard on the highway advertising the store. (They think it is obscene and immoral...the store, not the billboard. In other words, it was having more fun than they were.) And they lost a fight to get the store closed...(I think, I won't even go into that story).
Before the ruckus, I'd driven past the town a dozen times and never even noticed the sign. Now I did. Slick move people. Attract attention to the thing you want ignored. Brilliant! *clink*.
And, a religious group, in an attempt to minimize the "evil thing", put up their own billboard by it. One so bright, that it attracts attention to the "dimmer" billboard they are trying to make go away. Going to the Fest, the side I could see said, (now this is a visual so ya gotta think about this. one sign after another...) "The Lord Saves And Heals" *blink* "Adolt Supor Store". Like a premonition to pull off to be "saved and healed".
On the way back, seeing the other side of the sign, (once again, think about it...) "Adolt Supor Store" *blink* "The Lord Says, Open Your Eyes And See Salvation".
Somehow, I think the messages are going at it wrong. It's like someone is using the church billboard to promote the "Store". I think if I had to come up with some "deterrent" scripture for the sign, it would be along the lines of, "Don't Be Blinded By Temptation" or "Lot's Wife Looked And Turned Into A Pillar Of Salt". (Of course, in cattle country, losing your wife and gaining a salt lick may not be a bad swap to some.)
Now I'm not against the Church, or the "Store". But after all the fuss, and the billboards, I was tempted to stop in and see just what it was all about.
Never would have done that previously. But now my curiosity is going.
*Back to my regularly scheduled ramblings*
After the excitement of Abilene, I wondered what would keep me occupied for the rest of the trip. Dudette settled back to take a nap so it was just me and the road. Still had a number of miles to go, so I simply paid attention to the road and kept an eye out for the Highway Patrol.
Not that I speed, mind you. I love cruise control because I can set it and not have to worry about my speed creeping up as my foot gets tired or as I shift in the seat. Just set it and I know I'm good. But, keeping an eye out for the law helps keep me alert. Plus, if I see one, it may mean trouble up ahead. Plenty of reaction time that way.
As I, and a whole line of traffic behind me, head into a hilly section, I notice the flash of red, blue and white lights just at the top of the rise. I bump the brake to release the cruise and to let the folk behind know I am slowing down. I get over the rise and I don't see a police car. Okay, gotta be here somewhere, so I'm looking all over the place. Nada. But I do feel better about it as the car in front of me is going under the speed limit. They must have seen Officer Friendly as well.
I realize I am gaining on this car fairly quickly so I apply some brake. The string of traffic behind me moves over to pass, as I am now almost 10 mph below the limit. As they come zipping past us, I am now close enough to get a GOOD look at the car in front. It's an unmarked High-Po with "pop-up" lights on his back deck.
Dammit! I knew I saw lights. Sun must have caught the laid-down lights just right on that rise and made them sparkle.
I still wasn't speeding. But the cop was driving like a granny, doing 55 in a 70. So, when the traffic cleared in the passing lane, I pulled over and zipped by as well.
As I passed the Patrol car, I swear that cop was giggling his hat off. Scaring the crud out of every one of those people that passed as they could only see the decals on his car once they were right on top of him.
As much as I hate to admit it, I saw the humor in it as well. Jerk.
In all, it was fun. But we were glad to be home.
Trips happen.
I resemble that "...driving like a granny, doing 55 in a 70." buster! (Besides, driving 55 will lower our dependence upon the mid-east for oil. Wasn't that something our prez said we should do?) Wanna race?
Have Dudette take you to see the Eisenhower memorial (across the street from the museum). She may recall having attended its dedication with her Campfire group.
Posted by: Cop Car | March 13, 2006 at 07:11 AM
I hate it when Cop Car is right. I'd rather be driving 65 than 55, but I'd sure like to be free of imported oil.
That Supor Store wouldn't have had a lady's name that started with "P" did it?? I have to agree with you about the advertising. The church is just calling attention to the billboard. We're getting ready for a primary and I'm not likely to vote for anyone who smears the other candidates. I'd rather hear why I should be voting for the candidate who is paying for the ad. I'd say these billboards work the same way. I hope that comparison makes sense....I'm not completely sure it does.
Cruise control: one of the pleasures in life like attached garages and an ice maker in your freezer, and Insinkerators. The list is getting endless these days.
Posted by: Buffy | March 17, 2006 at 10:49 AM
Indeed, the list is long...and GOOD.
No, the billboard says "Adolt Supor Store" (of course, they spell everything right unlike me).
Posted by: Wichi Dude | March 17, 2006 at 12:47 PM