7/31 ~ The Outpost

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Ride)
Post #47:
By now, we will have crossed into Idaho, and you will not want to miss the next post from Kellogg, Idaho. But, let me introduce you to some friends we made at The Outpost, our camping host in Missoula, Montana, before we headed out. (Each picture has more story.)

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Picture #098

These chaps are two of our little supporters, each wearing a USAIDS 5,000 Junior tee. They are Andrew (L) and Alex (R) Stevenson, sons of Dan & Angie, who helped manage and care for The Outpost. Marj, the owner, donated our campsite, expressing, "times have been hard, here, with few campers. I wish there was more I could contribute, but a campsite is all we have."   Like I said earlier, some gave all they had. Missoula was made up of folks with heart, for sure, and we will never forget.   Unfortunately, I have learned that The Outpost has since been permanently closed. (Picture from July 28, 1995)
— with Andrew Stevenson of Missoula and Alex Stevenson of Missoula

~~~

Picture #099

Calling into our tent, I hear in a broken accent, "Hello, I have seen you in the news." When I told them, I hadn't seen The Missoulan, yet, he responded, "No, on the TV in Bonn, Germany." After chuckling, I assured the gentleman, he had the wrong person. "No, it was you. I recognize you. We see many stories from the United States, and we know you have AIDS.   It is a problem in Germany, too."   I couldn't even get coverage in Chicago, but yet we made the news in Bonn, Germany?  It was a tad hard to believe, but Franz Meschede was insistent.   He introduced us to his wife, Rita and son Andrej.   I mentioned that only Little John Geary of LaCrosse, WI was the only other person, besides me and Carl Lebman to ride the Dream Machine; but clearly, I forgot about Andrej Meschede, age 14.   It was "cool" in his words, to get to ride my bike around The Outpost Campground.   They all purchased tee shirts to support us, gave Carl an additional generous donation, to help us with our expenses, and cooked up breakfast from their rental pop-up tent (on the stove seen in the photo).   I managed to stay in touch for a year or so, but lost track of them after 1997.   (Picture from July 29, 1995)

— with Andrej Meschede, Bonn, Germany, Franz Meschede, Bonn, Germany and Rita, Meschede, Bonn, Germany 

7/29 ~ Shana & The Elements

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Celebration of Life)
Post #46:
It was the "Concert to Benefit AIDS" sponsored by a rock group called The Elements, in support of Missoula AIDS Council, with guest speakers:Shana Humphrey, Jim Petretta, and the Mayor of Missoula. It was a night to remember, for sure, but it was Shana's Story that caught everyone by surprise. (Each picture has more story, attached.)

~~~

Picture #102

After a stop by the CBS News Studio to record an interview for a Sunday broadcast, next stop was the park called, Circle Square, where seemingly the entire town comes together, annually, in support of one cause.  Digging out my Red, White and Blue, I was honored to address the audience first. Thanking them for their support, and giving our typical corporate challenges, asking for $1 per mile, in support of Missoula AIDS Council, we made this event about good times, working together, help on the way, hope for the future and good, old-fashioned compassion for those who need it the most.   This event made bicycling all the way to Montana, worth every pedal pumped.  (Picture from July 28, 1995)

 ~~~

Picture #103

Ken Highbrothan, Manager of a local rock group called The Elements, produced the featured entertainment, this evening. Yes, they did cover songs, but also an entire CD's worth of music on this, their farewell concert to benefit AIDS. The Elements were on their way to Seattle. with dreams of their own, to fulfill their first recording contract. City after city, we met really good, memorable people, all working for a better tomorrow, having lost friends and loved ones to AIDS. (Picture from July 28, 1995)
— with Ken Highbrothan

~~~

Picture #105

Selling tickets (a lot of tickets), were the Exec. Director of Missoula AIDS Council, Duane Gimbel, a volunteer, Arline, and my entire support staff, Carl Lebman. I can't tell from the second photo, if this was the group, The Elements, or an introductory group. However, this event was sponsored by The Elements, the featured group. Duane told me, before we left, that they had doubled last year's concert sales, giving USAIDS 5,000, and the media surrounding us, shared credit. It's exactly the kind of thing we hoped to hear, knowing we were making a financial difference, in addition to added hope. (Picture from July 28, 1995)
 — with The Elements, Duane Gimbel and Lebman Carl

~~~

Picture #106

Certainly, one of the sweetest girls I ever met, is Shana Humphry, a citizen of Missoula, Montana, and guest speaker at the Concert to Benefit AIDS. This was Shana's first public speaking engagement, and folks were glued to their chairs to hear this calm, brave, everyday woman tell how AIDS is everyone's disease. She comes from a conservative, loving family, and she was most selective in dating. He was a gorgeous, kind, and fun-loving gentleman, thought to be the kind of man Shana would one day want to marry. But he had AIDS, and knowingly concealed it from Shana. By the time we met her, the culprit had already passed; there was nobody left to blame. Her life was about maximizing each day, hoping for a cure, soon, and choosing this event to first tell her own story. I haven't been able to locate Shana, but we certainly hope her presence still graces us all, as it did that summer evening. (Picture from July 28, 1995)
— with Shana Humphry

~~~
Picture #100

This was a nice letter presented to me, but also mentioning Carl Lebman, on stage, by Mayor of Missoula, Daniel Kemmis. "You are demonstrating to yourself and the world that nothing is impossible." I cherish these words. (Document from July 28, 1995)  

7/27 ~ Hot Dog Missoulan

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Ride)
Post #45:
Hot Dog! We made it to Missoula, Montana, and it had been a long while since we received so much love and attention. The sign said "Bicycle Capital of the World", but hey, I was ignorant to the fact that Missoula was home to Adventure Cycling Association, a national cycling association. This is from their website: "Established in 1973 as Bikecentennial, we are the premier bicycle-travel organization in North America with more than 35 years of experience and 48,000 members. " But I didn't know that, then, lol. (Each picture contains more stories.)

~~~

Picture #097

Yeah, I know these pictures look like postcards, but they are the quality of photos Carl Lebman graced our entire trip with. One of the first sights we found, getting off the Interstate, was this Information plaza, complete with carousel and this ultra-cool cable car, turned Hot Dog Stand, welcoming folks to Missoula, Montana. The cute Hot Dog Guy, didn't mind Carl getting his photo. And, that is me, on the steps, sporting my NY tee shirt. I wanted them to know where I biked from. (Picture from July 28th, 1995)
— with Missoula Hot Dog Guy

~~~

Picture #096

I'm talking about "abilities", and yet they still call me "victim". But, statistically speaking, that was the reality of the era. I still credit the bicycle trip, itself, for having saved my own life. And, to be perfectly honest, I would not have succeeded, on my own, and will be forever thankful for Carl Lebman's generous spirit and willingness to help me make this dream come true. He didn't get enough praise, for his efforts, then. I hope I am doing that, here. He chose to never put himself into the story, unless specifically asked by reporters, "why was he helping me so much?" I keep hoping he will answer that in one of these posts. I'd rather you hear it from my friend. BTW, this pic was taken late afternoon, on the other end of the city, before a planned evening concert and TV studio interview for a later broadcast. (Picture courtesy of Missoulan, July, 1995

~~~

Picture #095

And, here's the rest of the story. It was on a different page, but my picture did make it on the Cover of The Missoulan. How cool is that? (Picture courtesy of Missoulan, July, 1995)

  

7/25 ~ Big Sky Montana

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Tour)
Post #44:
Welcome to Montana. (Notes accompany each photo.)

~~~

Picture #093

I had been to Montana, once before, in the 1970s, while visiting an aunt and uncle. They lived in Billings. Therefore, I must have driven this same route. Rolling hills, and wheat fields in the plains; that is what I remembered, and that is what we are able to see from this hilltop. (Picture from July, 1995)

~~~

Picture #094

And this is why they call it "Big Sky" Montana. I had to look to see if Katharine Lee Bates, lyrics author of America the Beautiful, was born or grew up in Montana. It seems not, but she must have been there:

"O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!"

This is the America I found on a bicycle, thanks to Carl Lebman! (Picture from late July, 1995)

Lebman Carl Sorry
Jim Petretta Couldn't have done it without you, buddy! Huge thanks! Will be posting Missoula, next. We met some wonderful people, there.

7/23 ~ Salem Sue

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Celebration)
Post #43:
Goodbye, Big Buffalo, and hello Salem Sue. (Stores from the road attached to each photo.)

~~~

Picture #089

Even I admit, it looks like we spent a lot of time in Jamestown, ND; however nearly all the pics shown you over the past several days were taken in two days. The rest of our time was spent on the road. And, no matter which touristy thing you see, if you look around the photo, you will see a lot of desolate land. It was hot, and sometimes stormy, but not much to photograph, unless we stopped at a tourist attraction, like Big Buffalo, and what good citizen of Buffalo, NY could resist getting this pic? (Picture from July 24, 1995)
— with Lebman Carl

~~~

Picture #092

Salem Sue is not in Salem, SD, but in New Salem, ND, and she is looking down at the other Salem. In truth, New Salem didn't want to be bested by Jamestown, ND, with its Big Buffalo. However, having these photos side by side, one might think there were only a few miles between. Actually, that one click of your mouse represents 138 road miles, down I-94. Much of that was bicycled, however, I admit here, that we racked the trailer on the backside of the car, and emptied everything except my water bottle, so that I might have an easier go of it, against the wind. Also, after New Salem, we realized I was pretty far behind schedule, and needed to be in Missoula, MT on the evening of the 28th. For that reason, I had to mark off about 350 miles, to be made up, later. If I recall though, the two biking days between these landmarks were easy, compared to Western Minnesota. So easy, in fact, that Carl Lebman likely didn't believe how bad the wind can get--until the storm that came out of nowhere, at night. When setting up camp, Carl mentioned "lightning" at a far distance. I assured him it was "heat lightning". Wrong again! Our tent, called "home" damn near blew away, in the storm, with Carl still inside. I was hiding in the block bathroom, because I'd already been through one tornado on this trip, lol. (Picture from July 25th, 1995)
— with Lebman Carl

7/21 ~ Jamestown Jailbirds

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Special, LOL)
Post #42:
With Carl Lebman back, I was taking another day off, and enjoying the touristy things of Jamestown, ND. (Not too much story, this time, only photos of the jailbirds, lol.

~~~

Picture #086

Except for automobiles, this part of Jamestown is as it was in Western movies. Breaking out of his cell was nothing for Carl Lebman, and he stood in the street, daring the Sheriff to come take him, again. All in good fun! (Pictures from July, 1995)
— with Carl Lebman

Lebman Carl Was great

Sue Fleming great pics
Jean Hopkins You look kind of comfy in that cell. Is that something you acquire or what?
 

~~~

Picture #087

NO, THESE ARE NOT UNDERWEAR, but the kind of cycling shorts we wore back in the "Gay 90s", lol. I kid you not! (Picture from July, 1995)

~~~

Picture #090

Them cowboys had to be some mighty little dudes, based on the size of this cot in the old Jamestown Jail. (Picture from July 23, 1995)

7/19 ~ Jamestown Sun

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Tour)
Post #41: 
Previously, I stated that it had been about 10 days since Carl Lebman went home on emergency, yet I posted a pic from Jamestown, ND, only a few days from Minneapolis. Fortunately, the story holds up, seeing the date of this article in Jamestown Sun. I got into Jamestown on Friday night, 7/22, and we headed out, after Carl's return, on 7/24. (More story attached to each picture.)

~~~

Picture #084

So, why the gaps in dates? Keep in mind, that without Carl Lebman following me and able to support me on the road, I had little time for things like pictures. Most days were brutal, bicycling against the wind, through horrid heat and wicked storms. To say that I was "weathered" was an understatement. But now that Carl was back, we took a day to enjoy Jamestown. Since so many of the days seemed to run together, (especially biking in the Northwest, without much population and/or media), it is news articles like this, that help me pull the story together, twenty years later. On July 21st, 23rd and 25th, I will instead post several pics from our day off in Jamestown, where we had an awful lot of fun. (Article courtesy of Jamestown Sun, July 25, 1995)

~~~

Picture #085

How is that for a headline? Let's hold nothing back, except that I was actually gay. But, since I was married to a lady at the time, I kept my mouth shut about that, to protect the innocent partners. Still, I'm thankful that quotes were accurate and truthful, and now that my support was back, I had someone to rally out the media for me. So, Carl Lebman gets credit for making the news. BTW, the Sept 8th ticker-tape parade didn't happen. It's complicated, lol, but we couldn't make it back in time. Instead, we accepted an October event at Children's Hospital of Buffalo, to make a return appearance. Those pictures will be included, toward the end of these posts.  Other clarifications include 1) We were "introduced" to the NY State Assembly, not addressing it and 2) we were indeed interviewed on Today Show, but not as a guest.  It was a rope-line interview with Al Roker. But, hey, if the newspaper say it, it must be true, right? (Article courtesy of Jamestown Sun, July 25, 1995)

7/17 ~ Tower City

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Tour)
Post #40:
Today, I will tell stories about a cat and a hog. (A story will accompany each picture.)

~~~

Picture #082

I found this kitty picture in with those from Jamestown, ND, however I keep thinking it was a visitor at Tower Motel and Campsite in Tower City, ND. I learned, today, that a lady who touched my heart, twenty years ago, still owns Tower Motel and Camp. Here is an email I just sent their town officials:

"Twenty years ago, this month, I bicycled through your wonderful little town. I was on a quest to become the first known person with AIDS to bicycle 5,000 miles in support of AIDS Awareness and funding. It was a different time, before viable drugs and hope. I was not with a group--only me--pulling my 85# trailer behind a cheap mountain bike, going against the wind, literally, as I headed for Seattle, finally ending in San Diego, Aug. 31, 1995.

I had endured violent storms and attitudes, since leaving Minneapolis, and arrived in Tower City, late night, totally drenched, knocking on the door of Tower Motel and Campground. There, I met a kind lady named Carol Kaim. Not only did she offer me a free campsite (for my cause), she fed me, gave me some hot coffee, and kept me dry in her kitchen, until the rain stopped, so that I might properly set up the tent. As if that weren't enough, she encouraged me to stay an extra day to rest. When her motel chores were done the next afternoon, she hopped on a bicycle to show me around, and why she loved Tower City. On my way out, headed to Jamestown, next, she packed me a sandwich and a jar of homemade strawberry jam.

I met a lot of folks on that 3-month excursion, but only one from Tower City. I didn't find a tower there, only a tower of a human! I will never forget her or your town. If there was a good-citizen award, she most certainly earned it--and a place in heaven! I see that she and Lionel still own the place. I hope to drive by one day, to be a paid customer. But for now, I will post kinds words about her on a blog, and my own Facebook page, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of USAIDS 5,000. It is a day by day, pictorial ride and stories of the road, because we had no way to make that piece of history known, back then. I look forward to telling this story on the blog, later today.

It's been twenty years, and Carol may not even remember me, but give her a call, and tell her Thank You from a stranger she helped so many years ago.

Warm Regards and blessings on Tower City,
Jim Petretta"
(Picture from mid-July, 1995, location, uncertain.)

Sue Fleming what a heart warming story. God love that woman. It goes back to the bible. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. If it were Jesus at the door would you offer him rest? I think i may have said some of this wrong but you know the point i am making.

~~~

Picture #083

Let's call him a fellow cyclist, lol. Oh yeah! I got my first ride on a hog, thanks to fellow camper, Danny Gilbertson. Here is a story I wrote for Pride Ride News, August 11, 1995 (revised):

"Bump, bump, clink, squeal. Oh no! The rumble strips along I-94 took a toll on two more spokes of the rear, snapping them, causing the wheel to quickly warp from the trailer weight. Coming to an abrupt halt, still 20 miles from Jamestown, I hoped one of a thousand pickup trucks would stop. But no, I ended up calling emergency 911 from my 1 lb. cellular phone. (Good think Carl Lebman made me carry that extra weight.) The Sheriff couldn't haul my bike and trailer in his pretty new car, so he called a tow truck, instead. Two hours, and sixty dollars later, (cash that I couldn't really afford), Dale's Service finally got me to Jamestown, stopping by an ATM to collect, before dumping off in the parking lot of a hotel, also not included to give a discount, let alone free room.

Luck had to change. Early Saturday morning, I hiked into town, with my wrinkled Dream Machine, fortunately stumbling across Goodroads Sports Shop, doing a sidewalk sale. The guys replaced the wheel at cost, and routed me to Riverside Campground, where I would wait, until my support, aka Carl, would come to claim me. I was ready to give up. In the middle of a prayer, I drifted off in sleep.

'Yoo hoo' came a wake-up call from Danny Gilbertson and his fiance', Jill, outside my tent. They recognized the trailer and bike from passing me on I-94, the prior day. They claimed I was still peddling at the time; otherwise, they would have stopped to help a fellow cyclist, so to speak. After sharing stories of the road, Danny offered me my first ride on a Harley, one I'll not forget, because he was showing off.

In the afternoon, I took a 27 mile bicycle excursion around Jamestown, making up some miles, while patiently waiting for Carl's return. It had been about ten days, and I only biked 405 miles, but words were not necessary. Hugs were all that were needed to convey how much I missed and needed Carl, with me, on this trip."
(Picture from mid-July, 1995)
— with Danny Gilbertson

7/15 ~ Adversities

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Stories from the Road)
Post #39: 
Once crossing into ND, I bicycled on I-94. Yes, it is authorized in Northwestern States, because there are so few well-traveled roads, and towns of any substantial population. (Each picture has more story.)

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Picture #080

This was the first time I've seen crop-dusting, live, so I did stop to take a picture. As you might also see, there are no ground people, within many miles. Only road and heat and sudden storms, and more of each. When cars approached, I would travel in the emergency lane; however they were laden with rumble strips. Why? So many drivers fall asleep on the boring road; now isn't that a pleasant thought?. Facing 35mph head winds; I was running out of steam fast. I should have been averaging 15mph, even pulling a trailer, but I had days where I only averaged 7pmh or less. Then, traveling the opposite direction, I met two girls (Cindy Kopper & Rebecca Louisella) from a group called 'Bike Aid". That year, they were riding Seattle to Washington DC for Environmental Awareness. They had done the same route in 1994 for AIDS Awareness. Trading stories of the road, I learned that avid cyclists only travel West to East in USA, because of head winds. It's better to have them to your back, pushing you faster. Now that I was smack in the middle of this adventure, I learn I'm going the wrong freaking direction! No way I was going to turn around. They gave me great encouragement, but I felt deflated, none the less. (Picture from mid-July, 1995)

~~~

Picture #081

One night, I camped on the back lot of a small truck stop and diner. When Carl Lebman was not with me, I rolled the trailer into the tent for easy access and security at night, while I chained the Dream Machine to a nearby post or tree. This particular night, I was urged to pack up, and stay in the restaurant. But I needed rest. So, I ignored experience. A massive storm, with nearby tornado hit us, and at one point, it honestly started rolling the tent, with both me and the trailer as occupants. After it passed, I packed up, and went into the restaurant, waiting until dawn to head out. Exhausted, but back on the road, I saw the remnants of trees, like this one, I photographed. In 2011, I selected this photo as one highlighting "adversity" in the book video trailer for AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM STORY. (Picture from mid-July, 1995)

 

7/13 ~ Western Minnesota

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Stories from the Road)
Post #38:
On his way back to Rochester NY, Carl Lebman arranged (by way of Cellular One, the early 1lb cell phones) for me to rest in Buffalo, MN at the Super-8. Though admittedly panicked, having lost my support vehicle, the first day, toward North Dakota, wasn't too bad, even in 100f+ heat and insane humidity. (Each Picture has more details.)

 Patricia Ayers I would have hated the weather. I am a 70's kind of girl!

~~~

Picture #078

Not exactly sure where this pic was taken, but I do remember it was the view from a campsite, 2 or 3 days outside of Minneapolis. There was lots of heat, biking, and camping, and some nights and days ran together. Without support, I had to round up food and camping sites, entirely on my own. I can recall several incidents, heading to Jamestown, and I will list them numerically. 1) Somewhere, before Fergus Falls, I collapsed, from heat exhaustion. A pickup truck got me, the bike and trailer, to the next town, and dumped me off at a tiny medical clinic. I received I.V. fluids, but after a couple of hours, I opted against medical advice, to continue biking. I never did get billed for that service. 2) On my second day, alone, I stopped at a small town diner, and asked for a contribution to our cause, by donating a meal. It's not quite the same, as support staff, asking on your behalf. The place had several customers. In front of all of them, I was verbally and physically accosted, calling me a "bum", and words like "We don't have AIDS in these parts; and we don't need you city queers bringing it to us." And I remember being pushed out the door, kicked in the ass--to the pavement. Yes, I got injured--a scraped palm and knee--and bruised butt. But, my confidence and esteem were injured the most. I got back on the Dream Machine, and kept biking, afraid to stop elsewhere, to eat. Next pic has more story. (Picture from Western Minnesota, mid-July, 1995)

 ~~~
Picture #079

3) Another thing I remember vividly are these ominous clouds and sudden storms. I was teetering between retched heat, and wicked storms. On one night, I could find no place to stay. I could see a huge storm approaching, and biked onto a farm trail, about 3 miles, to find the farm house and farmer. I asked if I could camp on his property, and was denied, and was told I was trespassing, if I stop. By the time I got back to the road, and nearby intersection, the storm was starting. I headed to a ravine, to be safe from the wind. It was a mosquito bed, like none I ever saw. I was savagely attacked, and the critters bit through all my layers. I got back to the intersection, and it started pouring down, with only that ravine as possible shelter. I remember dropping the bike, curling into a ball, and crying, while getting stormed on. Yet, the rain soothed my bites, perhaps 50 in all.  No amount of training can ready one for situations like this. (Picture from Western MN, mid-July, 1995)

7/11 ~ Minneapolis

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary, Pictorial Tour)
Post #37: 
Boy, oh boy, do I ever have some stories to tell about this stretch of the trip! Starting with "unidentified cute boy" this is all true, and "there were no Google Maps, then". (Each picture has more details.)

Crystal Grishka-Peterson I remember you meeting the newly born twins on your travels through MN ... I have pictures someone where ...
Jim Petretta I have a pic, too of Alex & Austin. Should I post it, here, or will you? You're the mom, so you can give permission, but they are 20, now, so I had no way of asking them. 
Jim Petretta Yeah, meeting twins was sweet, especially for Carl Lebman, who is also a twin. BTW, It's unsolicited comments, like yours, that bring credibility to this entire project--and ride, 20 years ago. So, thank you for that!
Crystal Grishka-Peterson Feel free to post it...
Jim Petretta Crystal Grishka-Peterson Twins, Alex & Austin

Picture #077c

1. 

 

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Picture #077

This handsome lad was our house boy at Hotel Amsterdam in Minneapolis (now defunct). Cannot find his name, anywhere, but it's a great pic, lol. Anyway, the trip to Minneapolis was like something out of Mark Twain's books, with picturesque ride up the Mississippi River. Once in the city, twenty years ago, the only gay establishment was refurbishing a crack house, and turned it into a guesthouse-like hotel, with a dance bar, called The Saloon (still in operation), right below. All too convenient, you say? Well, considering we got zero attention by media or AIDS Agencies in MN, we were lucky to land this adorable place to stay, courtesy of Andy, the owner at the time. While in Minneapolis, we also had a chance to visit my eldest sister, Cheryl Karanja, who is a RN, and currently doing her own mission work (New Day Children's Rescue) in Kenya. (Picture from July, 1995)
— with Houseboy, Amsterdam Hotel, MN

~~~

Picture #077b

Google doesn't lie, but then there were no Google maps in 1995. That I registered 405 miles for this same stretch is likely accurate, considering all the side treks I took for camping and detours, etc. But, let me assure you, these were, by far, the toughest miles of the entire journey. Let's start with Carl Lebman being called back to Rochester, NY for a family emergency. That left me pulling a 65-85 lb. trailer (depending on water/food supplies), against headwinds, in extreme heat (verifiable 100f or more) for several consecutive days. In fact, Chicago had it's worst heat emergency in history, where hundreds of seniors perished from the relentless heat and humidity. Yes, I bicycled every last one of those miles, in those conditions, and I will share some of those stories and pictures in the next few posts. There weren't a lot of pics, but then I was without support. Trust me, I wasn't ready for what I was to face. (Map, courtesy of Google Maps, today)

Jim Petretta I was saved, in Jamestown, so I declare it MY place, lol.