A Little Travelling

Today I drove 55 miles up the road to Kearney to get some things at Target (Yes, that is the closest store of that chain to Alma). One thing about Nebraska that is truly unique is that the traffic signals are mounted horizontally rather than vertically. ??? If you are color blind, it's helpful to remember that green is on the right and red is on the left. I asked a local about that and he said it's because winter winds tend to knock down signals mounted in the traditional vertical fashion. I don't know if that's the truth or not, but it sounds reasonable. In Alma, there are no traffic lights. The stop signs are more than sufficient for the cars involved.

I did some shopping and other chores that can't be done in Alma and headed back. It's an easy drive on good two lane roads with 65 mph speed limits. Sometimes, though, the 65 is impossible to do and this driver has to accept that due to the semis ahead of me, 55 to 60 mph is going to be today's speed. Passing on these two lane roads can be a hazardous undertaking, and I simply don't feel it's worth the risks involved to pass large vehicles that are only a few mph under the max allowable speed. Besides, for what major event am I going to be late?

All went well until I reached the Alma city limits and heard the unmistakable sound of my right rear tire going flat. It's a tire I wanted to replace soon, anyway, but the timing could have been better, or could it? I was right at the entrance to what is called the "co-op" here, where major tire repairs are the order of the day. It is sort of like a local answer to the Pep Boys stores in southern California. A half hour and one new tire later, I was back on the road with a somewhat lighter wallet. Less than a minute later, I was in my parking space at home deeply appreciative that the flat didn't occur on any of the more isolated areas I passed through today.

I enjoy the drives I occasionally take to other towns. The roads are straight, well maintained and provide terrific views of the rolling farmland. Some farm states are flat, but Nebraska provides often breathtaking views of an undulating landscape planted with corn and other plants I have yet to identify. The wet spring makes it all deeply green and attractive and reminds me of the some the landscape paintings I have seen by noted artists. People have told me it is not always this green at this time of the year, so enjoy it while I can.

It occurs to me that someone who doesn't know me well might think I am some kind of paid shill for the city of Alma or for the state of Nebraska. Not so. These are really my impressions of the place.

Tomorrow I am going to Alma's July 4th parade and then will watch the city fireworks in the evening. I'll try to post some pictures.