Hey Howdy Hey: Trips to Drummond

There was a song that came out back in the early 80's when I was in high school: "I Can't Drive 55," by Sammy Hagar.

Well, with my moving, I have been taking my things down to Drummond in my little blue van, with the many ducks glued on the roof. I find that as I am getting older, the song I sing is "I Can Drive 55." Occasionally, I will go 65 but my little van is getting old and I have to take 'er easy, especially when it's loaded down.

I think back when I was a young kid, my dad managed the Lyon Ranch down in Drummond. I remember when he and my mom would drive to Drummond. As Dad drove down the street, littles would pass him on their bicycles. I would always duck down in the car so my friends would not see me. Well, that's me now. I putt through town in my two-duck truck. That's what I call my little red truck with two ducks on the roof.

Anyhow, getting back to my story. In my road trips down to Drummond, there are more cars than I have ever seen in my life on Highway 200. Even Highway 141, the Helmville canyon road, has more cars than I have ever seen. I made up a little joke as I drove, which goes like this: Why are there no people in Texas, California, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon? Because they are all here.

One of the main things all these folks are going to have to learn if they move here is, "If someone waves at you, you have to wave back." That's just something you do in any small town in common courtesy. I was driving down the road the other day in Lincoln and this fellow I know was driving by, he flicked his lights then gave me a big wave. That really made me feel good. Thanks Mark. So, you never know, just one simple way can make someone's day.

And once again, back to my story on my many trips to and from Drummond.

I like to stop at a little spot at the bottom of Helmville canyon, the little pullout area. I think it has been about four or five years ago since I had put a bucket up by the fence with a toilet seat on it. Then I had my good friend Shannon Wortman make me a fancy sign that said, "Redneck Rest Area." So, I mounted it up on the fence post by the bucket. I added a toilet paper holder and by golly it still has a roll of TP on it, even through the big shortage.

I built a trail up to the bucket and lined it with rocks. I maintain it every year, weed eating, picking up trash etc. People seem to get a big kick out of it. I know some of the biker fellows around here like to stop. "If you see it, you smile." That's all that matters.

Well, this will probably be my last week in Lincoln. Trooper is doing very well after his little surgery. He must get his stitches out on the 24th and I think I will be heading out of Lincoln on the 26th to start Jim and Troops Big Adventure.

One thing I do know is each time I am heading back to Lincoln from the west and I see the speed limit sign that say 50 mph, I get excited because that's the speed I am already going!

Be kind to yourselves and one another, be safe and God Bless, and don't forget to wave!

---Jim and Trooper