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Magicman's Spoon is on the road

Started by Howdy, November 23, 2017, 10:43:40 PM

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Howdy

Time has come to catch up on the travels of the wandering spoon of Magicman.  It entered our hearts after attending the 2016 Chilly Chilli gathering Yukon Cornelius hosted in Missouri and was passed along to Trapper from Wisconsin as a prize for the person traveling the greatest distance for a bowl of chili. Last time we saw it was at the 2017 Pig Roast where it visited the gathering while not doing any work for a change. After years of toiling away in kitchens or sitting in drawers it had found freedom at last.  Gone were the need of dipping into pots of grits, stews, vegetables, and savory dishes.  Free at last from stoves and crock pots the spoon yearned to see the world, experience events other than cookouts, and maybe even find romance or at least companionship of other cutlery and service-ware.  It had done its duty and now it was time for adventure. 

Leaving the Pig Roast MMS found itself once again on the road but this time free to watch the sights roll by rather than hidden deep in a trunk or backseat, tucked in a box and covered with dishes.  MMS was able to sit and view mile after mile of trees, blacktop, roadkill, and towns of all description.  Tiring of the sight of trees while carry's a cookie on it's back was tiring so MMS chose to nap under the seat waiting for something noteworthy to stop and share.  Knowing the end of the road was out West and seeing the Pacific Ocean but attending the motorcycle rally at Sturgis ND caught its imagination and was worth a change in route so off it went. 

Finding the town of Sturgis was easy  by just following all the bikes headed that way.  Every kind and description of two and three wheeled conveyance was on the road.  Little scooters in pickups, big hogs thundering down the road, trikes and newfangled three wheeler's all ashiney, every one had the same destination.  At every road side stop from rest area to restaurant, gas station to motel, was swarming with bikers.  Herds of cattle ran from all the black leather fearing they might lose their hides too not to mention all the helmets with horns, helmets with mohawks, helmets with spikes, every shape and style possible was topping riders keeping the law happy as long as a helmet was holding in what brains were left.  The noise from single cylinder, twins, four, six, and of course the V8's reached deep into MMS being until it too yearned to feel the vibration and eat some bugs astride a bike. 

Arriving in the town of Sturgis  bikes could be found everywhere.  Most homes had several parked in the yards, on sidewalks, in driveways, on porches, and peeking out of windows.  Anywhere a bike could park was rented, poached, divided out, and it left little room for tents, RV's, trucks, and sleeping bags.  More were on the way so people guarded what space they had with rope, flagging, milk crates, signs warning of towing, and bodies dressed in leather, scraps of cloth, bandannas, horns, paint, and tattoos.  MMS was temped toward voyeurism but feared becoming someone's trophy if found envying a shiny bit of chrome or gently shaped plastic owned by a biker with little tolerance for sharing. 

Finding the desire to see how the other half lived MMS when to a restaurant and found a server  who was willing to chat for a moment or two,  As it was lunch time crowds were flowing in and the menu was simple.  Music and chatter prevented the normally shy spoon from getting too friendly so the hoped for visit to the kitchen was not to be.  Just as well as the chance of getting lost and put to work for the duration was a real possibility. 

MMS wandered around the pop up vendors looking for a tee shirt in it's size to commemorate attending the gathering.  Being rather round with a big head proved to be a hard size to fit but a generic style was found. 

Escaping the hub-bub proved to be as difficult as arriving but the road called so off to Mount Rushmore and places West it went.  Again following the bikes on side trips was the norm so MMS saw the bikini bike wash, beef jerky vendors, leather distributors a-plenty, and the constant sight of tents housing the bikers on a budget or unable to find in town lodging and willing to ride a bit farther to still be part of the event.

samandothers

Interesting the MMS makes an appearance on Thanksgiving!  Better to be front and center in a post than in a Thanksgiving kitchen put to work!

Thanks for the sharing of travel and sites!

WDH

His cookie is cracked.  Just like MM.   :D
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

yukon cornelius

It seems I am a coarse thread bolt in a world of fine threaded nuts!

Making a living with a manual mill can be done!

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Quote from: WDH on November 24, 2017, 07:58:11 AM
His cookie is cracked.  Just like MM.   :D


Snicker, snicker...... :D :D :D
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

Howdy


The road took a winding path with the town of Deadwood offering a side excursion.  Finding parking was an impossibility as MMS was not riding a bike or on a tour bus so after a few wrong turns and the one way only streets that went the other way it was time to go without visiting any of the tourist traps.  Eventually the roads rose high into the hills until Mount Rushmore was seen in the distance.  Trying not to run over any bikes or strolling tourists MMS soon found the gates of the monument where they wanted $30 to drive into the parking lot.  As MMS was a cheep date and didn't have any pockets of cash the decision was to just drive around the lot and not stop but to find a roadside wide spot and get the picture needed to record it's travels. 


Trying to find a close shave in Cody WY was a strange thought as MMS had splinters and would do better with a sander than a razor.  The only barber offering straightedge shaves couldn't be bothered with a spoon stapled to a cookie and another dream was lost.  Next stop was Jelleystone Park and the home of Yogie, Boo Boo, and Ranger Smith.  The closest MMS could find was Yellowstone Park and it was close enough to give a try.  Entering the park again cost but this time there were enough bottles and cans available to pay the admission fee so with the sun shining bright into the park it went.  Miles and miles wandering around and not a picnic basket to be found let alone bears wearing hats and ties.  The only thing to see was a plume of steam spouting off with hundreds of people clambering for a looksee. Old Faithful was everything it was reported to be so worth a picture or two. 



Finding the legendary Continental Divide allowed a picture opportunity and a chance to go downhill for a change. 

The road beckoned and called with the promise of new places to see, people to meet, and things to do so the next stop of note was Portland OR. Resting in the garage was a welcome period after being on the road so much until call to travel demanded answering.   



trapper

Who will be the next victim of the MMMS ?
stihl ms241cm ms261cm  echo 310 400 suzuki  log arch made by stepson several logrite tools woodmizer LT30

thecfarm

Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Howdy

With the call of America offering new adventures and places to see once again, MMS hopped a bus to Tacoma WA then a taxi to a car dealership and picked up an RV that needed delivery to Mesa AZ. Finding itself hungry first stop was a restaurant where the cooks yearned to put such a famous utensil to work.  As MMS vowed to never stir another pot or serve any more vittles having found retirement to work just fine it chose to hide under the table every time a server came near.   This prevented any chance for a photo but the grub was fine. 

Next stop was back in Portland for a last chance of a good night's sleep and a bug bomb for the RV just in case any bark beetles might have designs on the wooden cookie MMS was fastened to.  Down the road the next day and all was well, the RV was running fine, the windows were clean and a comfortable place was found to ride safely, life was good.  Realizing interstate highways all looked the same after a while, the spoon chose to travel the back roads on its journey South.  Circling around Mount Hood just East of Portland the trees stood tall with little diversity.  Few Pine trees were seen as this was Douglas Fir country and it was not until much later that Ponderosa Pines would become more common.  As green trees covering the land gave way to high desert grasses the scenery gave way to a more diverse landscape with clean air, fluffy clouds, and beauty everywhere.  The interior of Oregon proved to be just the answer for a spoon wishing to experience what the country had to offer.  As the roads traveled into the Northeastern corner of California then Nevada miles were covered and MMS took the opportunity to nap until startled awake by Reno NV.  Not wishing to be distracted from the roads call the choice was made to bypass Reno knowing it had a two day layover in Las Vegas scheduled. 

Next stop was Virginia City with it's boardwalks, mine tours, and real saloons where a spoon could drink a sarsaparilla in peace sitting at a bar covered in the scars of more than a hundred years of history.  The silver dollar was king and every place had plenty on display, but when MMS tired to get a few it learned no longer could a dollar be purchased for a buck.  A tour of a mine was fun and many pictures were taken but alas all the camera captured were dark images of blackness with a glimmer or two here and there.  Go figure.  After a pizza and another bottle of sarsaparilla at the Red Dog saloon MMS was feeling kinda antsy cause some local dogs were looking at it like a new a chew toy so on the road again.

Rolling into Vegas the bright lights sparkled on the tarnished surface of MMS.  Where to stay for a couple of nights was an interesting chance to see which hotel would allow a spoon to check in but Circus Circus was the obvious choice.  Where else could a unique being blend in and join the fun it thought.  It shouldn't have worried however because wandering the city it was soon apparent that there were far more unique things to see everywhere.  MMS wanted to visit several places "as seen on TV" and a trip to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, location of the television show Pawn Stars almost proved to be it's undoing as the shop wanted to add MMS to it's collections. 


The bidding kept climbing and the look of greed shown through but once free of being someones tool MMS had vowed to never return to service again.  No deal was to be had but the proprietors did ask it to be part of a taping for a TV show.  MMS might be seen hiding in a display case in a future episode soon.  The next stop was Welderup the location of rat rods and other stuff made of junk and rust. 


MMS found a kinship with the cars on display so several pictures were taken and it felt at home. 




From there a stop at Count's Kustoms just up the street almost became the end of the journey when it tried to sit on Horny Mike's bus and got yelled at by a worker with little customer service warmth.  Demoralized MMS choose to travel up and down the strip stopping at Killer Burger for lunch.  Back at the hotel it got lost again trying to find it's room and was worn out by the time it got to bed.  Housekeeping may have wondered about the sawdust it's cookie kept sprinkling everywhere but "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" so all was okay.  Three nights proved to be far too much as the sparkle of the city was growing dim but since MMS had paid for all three nights already all it could do was get lost wandering the hotel and trying to find a place to eat that didn't require a deep pocket. 

Once again on the road cactus and scrub trees became the norm.  Every time MMS tried to get a close up picture - the needles and spikes proved to be rather sharp so it was difficult to get anyone to hold the camera.  South of Las Vegas the road passed signs offering funny little beings with big heads or scantly clad women but it wasn't until a sign with the Area 51 Brothel, gas station and restaurant combined with the need for fuel required a stop.  Touring the usual convenience store with it's tee-shirts, hats, and other alien themed stuff, and the cafe with no customers required a visit to the pink building where FREE TOURS were advertised.  MMS had never seen a place like this and wanted to stay a while but the only thing the ladies refused to do was spooning so another fantasy was doomed.  A generous tip did encourage on of the workers to hold MMS for a picture. 


Along the road deep in the heart of Arizona and along side the road but not too far from nowhere could be found several roadside attractions (kinda redundant I know, but I was on a roll).  Heres some "Art cars" and a fire truck any fella would envy. 



Next stop was Phoenix and then Mesa but the only thing exciting was finding the Golden Corral restaurant seen advertised on TV so much. 

Home again this time by airplane and even with a window seat the view outside was obscured by the smoke from the Columbia Gorge fires. 


Seems some miscreant was playing with smoke bombs in the driest season of the year and set the historic woodlands on fire.  The fires consumed one of the most popular areas of the Northwest visited by hordes of people from miles around and where highway I-84 traveled between Oregon and Washington.  Flying into Portland was like flying through dense clouds, much more difficult than flying in darkness with no view of the mountains or ground until just before landing. Leaving the airport, the air was filled with particulates and colored brown, breathing was a chore, and it was quite a surprise from the normally clear and clean Portland weather.  It is a reminder of how fragile our world is.

petefrom bearswamp

great commentary Kim
What a spoon (and  companion)
Kubota 8540 tractor, FEL bucket and forks, Farmi winch
Kubota 900 RTV
Polaris 570 Sportsman ATV
3 Huskies 1 gas Echo 1 cordless Echo vintage Homelite super xl12
57 acres of woodland

POSTON WIDEHEAD

The whole concept of taking this spoon around the country AND posting pictures is really GENIUS !
Excellent idea.  :)
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

Magicman

Problem is that I don't get to go with it.  Where O Where is da Spoon now?  Wonder if I will ever see it again? 

Oh Yes, I have seen da Spoon since that last picture was taken.   ;D
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

nativewolf

Should have taken it hunting but noooooo you had to take your son, if I were the magic spoon I would be a bit upset, make it up by taking him to Hawaii or sail fishing fishing in Nicaragua
Liking Walnut

Magicman

Actually I have only see the spoon twice in the past two years.  At the Pig Roast in August when it passed hands from Trapper to Howdy, and then when Howdy passed through here on his last trip.  The last time that I saw it, it (Tom) was headed toward Monroe, LA.   move_it
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Howdy

Another trip doth the travelin' spoon taketh.  Yander hills and vistas call and our mighty spoon yearns to escape the limits of garage and house.  Away, away goes MMS once again.  The road beckons and it must be free.  Free to dip into the seasonings of life, a pot of grits, the humble calderon of stew that makes our country strong with the essence of many cultures coming together.  Geeze I must be hungry, lets get this missive moving. 

Flying into Atlanta started this journey returning across the country by way of it's beginnings. Stopping at a market for some vittles was a deli counter filled with prepared grub featuring the tantalizing scent of fried catfish, and hush-puppies which drew MMS like a drunk to booze.  Remembering the days of fish fry's, boils, stirring big ole pots of rice and beans it leaped over the counter seeking to sample everything and gorge itself on southern cookin'.  Out of nowhere and with a flick of her spatula the gal behind the glass deflected MMS across the isle to end up skidding under a display of rolls and was found mired with dust bunnies and lost lists of past shoppers.  With a "Bless your heart" the ever watchful gal offered to help and even offered samples, never taking her eye off the spoon.  And with this MMS knew it was back in the land of good eats. 

Recovering it's dignity and back on the road MMS snuggled up to see the trees it remembered passing by. Oak, walnut, cherry, pine, sweetgum, sourwood, tulip poplar, shadbrush, sassafras, all could be seen if one looked hard enough.  Trees of home. Trees of familiar times.  Trees different than the cookie stapled to MMS's back.  MMS vowed to always remember the joys of past gatherings filled with other dishes, spoons, knives, and pots, while looking forward to new settings and culinary adventures. 

At last could be seen the home
where many good times were experienced and the memories of a loving household filled with happiness, peace, and comfort were present.  There in his everyday clothes 

was the Magicman himself welcoming once again the well utilized spoon he once called his own.  Soon Mrs. Magicman upon hearing the commotion realized it could only be her favorite serving spoon and joined in the glad times.

After the many miles of road a good nights sleep was needed so seeking the comfortable guest housing seen behind Mr and Mrs MM, soon sleep captured the weary traveler. 

The next day and once again in his everyday clothes everyone went to church. 
MMS tried to remain in the background and for the most part was able to blend into the woodwork.
At least until the pastor of the church welcomed it from it's travels and pointed out how MMS had come all the way from Portland Oregon.  I guess he didn't realize MMS had been to many a potluck within the church already.  Looking around MMS was glad to see the addition of TV screens in the sanctuary so die-hard NASCAR and football fans would not miss a moments action while attending church.  Modern thinking at it's best. 

After church an entire horde of folks went to Poppa's Fish House
for the next best thing to a beach-side cookout.  Catfish was the order of the day and other dishes like rice and gravy, rutabaga, cabbage, and so many others including the familiar fried chicken,  All you can eat of course and sweet tea or regular just leave a spoon in the glass so the server can tell the difference.  Not fancy - just good food and good friends. 

WV Sawmiller

   The little town where I went to school near where I was raised in NW Fla was originally named Teaspoon. The local Baptist preacher there would go eat lunch with a different family each Sunday and at other times throughout the week so they named the town after his spoon. At the turn of the Century in 1900 the uppity folks running the show decided the town needed to be renamed so they named it Century which it is called to this day.

    I wonder if the disappointed spoon fled to Mississippi in disgrace and hid, lo these many years and is just now rising from his humble beginnings and going to show the world he is a force to be reckoned with.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Magicman

We did get a fleeting glimpse of "The Spoon" before it was lost again marked only by quickly fading taillights in the distance.   :)
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Howdy

Next stop was Monroe LA home of Duck Dynasty and their offshoot Willy's Dinner. 


Most likely there are additional places and attractions to visit but MMS was determined to visit the dinner and enjoy Ms Kay's vittles.  Following the route as portrayed by Miss Direction the GPS found our spoon arriving just in time for dinner and all was ready for bellying up to the table.  Except it was Sunday. The dinner wasn't open on Sunday.  The doors were locked. 


No dinner would be had unless another peanut butter and jelly sandwich counts.  Fast food was eating at 60 miles and hour.  MMS felt so defeated it tucked itself in on a shelf and wouldn't come out for anything until a quick peek at the next stop.  Carlsbad Caverns was too good to pass up but where the clouds were sitting on the hills


and any view was a what could be seen within 50 feet.  Brave as our spoon was the thought of descending deep into the ground was too much to bear so staying on the shelf was just fine.  The rest of the trip passed and the view of the forests changed.


Passing through New Mexico was an adventure better left unspoken.  One thing was a sign found at a rest stop...


With everything done worth doing there was only one place MMS wanted to visit.  The Jelly Belly jelly bean factory was well worth a stop. 


The tour of the factory showed how each and every bean was produced and there were zillions of them being worked. 


and once again the intrepid MMS was safely back at home in the garage.  Remembering the travels and freedoms and looking over some photos it found a couple of images of visiting the home of Antique Archaeology from it's first trip. 




Time has come to move on to the next Forestry Forum member for new adventures and exciting experiences.  Please contact MMS with your proposal and to become the next caretaker. 

GAB

Kim:
You've done well with the spoon.
Have you ever considered writing children's books.
I think with a little editing, and of course a lot more pictures, this thread would make a good book for youngsters.
Gerald
W-M LT40HDD34, SLR, JD 420, JD 950w/loader and Woods backhoe, V3507 Fransguard winch, Cordwood Saw, 18' flat bed trailer, and other toys.

GAB

Kim:
You've done well with the spoon.
Have you ever considered writing children's books.
I think with a little editing, and of course a lot more pictures, this thread would make a good book for youngsters.
Gerald
W-M LT40HDD34, SLR, JD 420, JD 950w/loader and Woods backhoe, V3507 Fransguard winch, Cordwood Saw, 18' flat bed trailer, and other toys.

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