Travel
J. D. Carpenter’s American Odyssey
DAY 5 – PEORIA, ILLINOIS: Yesterday, we traveled across the corn belt. Saw a burned-down house in Cadiz, Indiana. Watched a crop duster swoop like a swallow near Farmer City, Illinois.
Visited Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, then retired to a bar called Buffalo Wild Wings where I hope to set a scene. There were 30 draft taps side by side, six giant screens showing a NASCAR race out of New Hampshire, and an abundance of inflatable items — race cars, football players, even a catamaran — suspended from the ceiling. Talked to a pipe fitter named Jerry, whose wife and six grown children and eleven grandchildren stay home in Delaware he while works out here. “Imagine,” he told me, “if we were born rich instead of beautiful.” Talked as well to the bartender, Sam, a 22-year-old Ball State student. “I’m doing a dual degree,” he said. “I hope that makes me sound intelligent as opposed to indecisive.”
We listened to two of the stories on our New Yorker CD, ‘Us or Me,’ by Ian McEwen, and ‘New York Girl,’ by John Updike. We liked the latter so much we’re going to listen to it again today as we head west into Iowa.
Thanks to those of you who have posted comments on the blog. You keep us company along the road.
Tags: About the author
J.D. Carpenter's Campbell Young novels have been nominated for the Arthur Ellis Award, appeared on national bestseller lists (The Globe & Mail), and received critical acclaim (The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, The Edmonton Journal, Maclean's, Quill & Quire).
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4 comments for “J. D. Carpenter’s American Odyssey”
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At last! A blog that’s interesting to read. I hear that T rex tastes like chicken. Love to you both. — DJ
Dave & Karen:
As you can see, I now have a hotmail account…how about the address: pecounty.1@hotmail.com. Who would have thought that this one would be available? Or you can reach me at my Seneca address since I have figured out how to get it here in the county. Anyway, I have been reading your accounts…racing, fires, town square interludes, off-interstate roading…sounds like fun. So write me an e-mail to let me know you got this and we can go from there. I hope you got the one that Susan and I sent the other day.
Brian
Hey there travelin’ man (and Karen); your trip sounds great – nice to be able to follow your progress, pilgrim! Bonnie and I are taking off for Prince Edward Island (not county!) tomorrow for a week or so. Hope to touch base with you after we return. Will be dropping in to see Pam Dawes in Stratford, PEI – I’ll say hello. Don’t spend all your money on the nags, unless one is named Shorty, then a wager may be in order. Have fun. Rick
All sounds great. I love the photos — especially the one of you and Karen swimming amid the water orchids. You do look a little waxy though. Maybe get out in the sun more?