Monday, December 29, 2014

Ain't no trip to Cleveland

The oldest buses in our Transit Fleet are being retired - a process that's been under way for a year or so.  Today the last two will make their "final" journey (to their next home).

These buses were built in 1999 and have outlived their federally mandated 12-year life spans.  When I first started working here in early 2001, these were the nice, new buses.  Now they are the aged, despised, older ones.  I still have a soft spot for them.  I learned to drive on the 99's.

So, even though I haven't driven a bus on the road for over a year, I took one of these babies out for a spin for nostalgia's sake.  It felt like old times.  My muscle memory had everything down in just a few seconds - I knew instinctively where to find the four-way switch when I crossed the railroad tracks.  There was a time when I spent six to eight hours a day sitting in these seats, after all.  The familiar bounce as I drove over bumps; the slight jolt when the gears shifted; it felt like home, really. 




I'm reminded of the words of that great philosopher, Dignan from Bottle Rocket:  

"Best job I ever had...
working my way up, meeting people...
listening to stories."




Fare thee well, mighty warrior.


Monday, December 1, 2014

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day. Yes, this is the only picture I took.

Breakfast, the day after Thanksgiving.


The Azze Christmas tree, a hemlock cut on our property.


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Tuesday, October 14, 2014















Tuesday, October 7, 2014

















Thursday, October 2, 2014

Sunday, September 28, 2014