It seems everybody was flying a flag right after 9/11, but then like everything else, the popularity died off and so did the habit. It's tough now to even find good quality flags that will last out in the wind, but I have thankfully found a supplier. I am so glad that we can still fly our flag, though there are those who do not appreciate the prices that have been paid for that privilege. As I think about what the colors of the flag represent, an elderly lady comes out of the store with her few meager items -

"Nice ride you have there" she says.

"Yes ma'am, it's really been a dandy, I reckon I'm headed to the West Coast before I come back home."

"Well, I wish I could go with you but I don't think I can make it today" she grins. Then a serious look comes over her weathered face -

"Boy the crops have just been doing terrible this year. I just don't know what we're gonna do." But then she smiles, as if transported to another time

"You have a safe ride!"

"Yes ma'am I will surely try. And I hope things perk up for you too!"

As she drives off, I realize I've once again met the real people of this country. Not the television puffery, but someone who has made their living working the land for something besides how much money they can make or who they can cheat somebody out of something. It's folks like her that make this country great, not the hoodlums in DC on either side of the aisle. But if I'm going to get to Dennis's house I'd better move on and I do. As I cross the Missouri countryside, I have to take a double look. Here's field after field of cotton in bloom.

I manage to get around Springfield and before long I am on highway 96. There's no traffic to speak of, just mile after mile of farmland. Before long, I see a familiar set of headlights. Dennis's beautiful blue custom painted ST1100 stands out a long way off. We connect and away we go until we can find a good place to pull off.

"It's great to see you again my friend" I tell Dennis and give him a big hug.

"I don't know how I missed your call. It must have been the only time I was away from the phone" he says.

"Well, that's the way it usually works, but at least we hooked up" I tell him.

He points out that highway 96 actually used to be part of Route 66, which is fascinating to me.

"There's a place just down the road that we can gas up and take a break" he says with a mischievous smile.

"Well, I'm up for that so let's roll!"

Since the day is still early, we decide to chase parts of route 66 through the rest of Missouri and Kansas. He knows the way and all I have to do is follow.

Before long, we arrive at the gas stop and go in to get a snack.

"You had lunch yet?" he asks.

"No, but this snack will hold me over to supper just fine."

As I munch my cashews and sip my Diet Pepsi, he's got something he wants to show me. He leads me over to it and I can't help but bust out laughing.

His place reminds me so much of the country houses that I grew up in as a kid, so I feel right at home. I also get to meet Brother Bill, who used to run a motorcycle shop in his younger days. I grab a few things off the SweetTreat and Dennis shows me where I'll be sleeping.

"But Dennis, where are you gonna sleep?" I ask him.

"Oh, just on the couch. I'll be fine" he says.

"Well, that ain't right for me to come in and put you out of your room" I tell him.

But he will not be persuaded, so I accept his more than gracious hospitality. There's a great local Mexican restaurant called Pepe's so that's where he, Brother Bill and I head for. It's local and it's good and Pepe obviously knows Dennis very well.