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SEPTEMBER 2020
By Charlie Brown, member # 410 Part 1: Charlie and Wheezy Bob... So sensation seekers here is another instalment of the Wheezy Bob story. Thursday 29 Aug 19. Brisbane to Denver
W
oke early as usual. Breakfast and lock the house. The car service arrived on time and had a good run to the airport. I had the usual bun fight getting through security due to having two steel knees. Every other place I have been, Europe, UK, USA I have never had any problems. I tell them that I have two knee replacements and I am sent down a line, x-rayed and sent on my way. Here they don’t seem to know what to do. This time the man (Mr Hard Face) wanted to take me to a room and do a pat down and wand test. The next guy (who had a big smile) came along said that there was no need for that and ran the wand over my knees. Now Mr Hard Face made me go back through and take my shoes off. Then Mr Big Smile came back and had me stand to the side while they argued. Meanwhile my wallet passport etc. was sitting there in the tray at the end of the conveyor. At this point the silicon chip inside my head got switched to overload (to quote the song) and I started to get LOUD. I know that some out there will be shocked as it so out of character for me. Finally I was allowed to go to the next hurdle of getting on the aircraft. The US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the lady, then the US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the man, then US immigration service needed to see my passport so I showed it to the lady, then the silicon chip inside my head…. Finally on the aircraft and in the Virgin Economy X seat. Into LAX and as usual there was construction going on. I have been going in and out of LAX for the last 30 years and there is always construction going on. Got on the small aircraft to Denver. Right at the back, no window and a woman with a Chihuahua in her purse. In Denver and Calvin was there. Back to Johnstown (Used
BACK TOGETHER AGAIN to be called Jonestown but for some reason the name was changed)! Talk with Cal and Amy and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Friday 30 Aug. Denver Calvin had loaned me one of his 12 cars, a 2007 Honda Civic. I asked how his wife Amy would allow him to have 12 cars. “Well Charlie, she has 12 horses”. Fair enough I suppose, Amy is a veterinarian. Spent the day at Walmart and camping stores getting ready to head to Canada. I got on the compudda and booked rooms for the next few days. Saturday 31 Aug. Denver to Basin Got away at about 8am. I took the back road Hwy 287 (as Calvin called it) through Laramie and up to Medicine Bow. The local fire brigade had the road blocked and were after donations for Muscular Dystrophy Association and I threw a few dollars in the gumboot. Continued along 287 to Casper. I stopped at a servo to grab a feed and had lunch with Steve (on a BMW K1300 RS) from Walla Walla Washington. Had a good yarn and he passed on some info that was useful when I was in the Rockies on Wheezy. Back on the road and this one was right up there with the Hay plains. At Shoshoni I turned north onto a great road through a canyon. Three tunnels numerous cuttings and I was at Thermopolis. “The World’s Largest Hot Springs” so they claim. I got to the first nights stop about 4pm. The motel looked run down and I was a bit reluctant about staying. The lady gave me the key and said that if the room wasn’t ok then that would be fine. I had a look and it was palatial, this proved true of all the places I stayed. Had a feed and got on the compudda and checked the emails. I learned with great regret and sadness that Dave Hepburn had passed away. Sun 1 Sep. Basin to Bozeman Had a good sleep. Got up and drove to the servo and stocked up on drinks and hit the road. I drove
