The End (or maybe not)

Responding to popular demand, (or at least moderate demand by close friends) my blog emerges from an early grave into rebirth through a simplified name. My travel diary is now cataloged through wanderdecisively.blogspot.com (instead of the awkward dash interrupting the wandering) Please visit at your web browsing convenience.

Stop 54 - Douglas, Wyoming

(picture from http://www.jackalope.org/Douglas/DouglasHome.html)

While driving cross country on a personal retreat from the daily grind, I stumbled upon a wonder of a legendary kind. The Jackalope seen above stands larger than a small car. From myths of farmers long ago, the rabbit with antlers emerges as a small Wyoming town's claim to fame. Embalmed in legend by the town's statue, the animal further appears on bridges, legislation, and hunting licences.

Although the Jackaplope remains a gullibility trap for tourist and urbanites alike, do some legends hold seeds of truth behind the thin veil of lore?

Stop 53 - Peoria, IL

"If it plays in Peoria" was an old adage about my current town of residence. As a testing ground for media, a show's performance in Peoria was considered an indicator of how well the entertainment would be received by the rest of the country.

Moving to the quiet urban island in an ocean of farms unearthed some surprising treasure. Driving during rush hour (or the small city's lack of traffic hour) incidents of chivalry abounded with drivers continually slowing down to let others be first. In addition, the city contains a wealth of effective charities bringing quantifiable change to poverty's chains. (see South Side Mission) The crowning jewel came when I was able to play a friendly game of catch and chat with neighbors on a warm spring day.

Hopefully, Peoria's reputation as a barometer will also prove true with the concept of a friendly community.