The temperature at 7 a.m. was 26 degrees. Not what you would expect in Arizona, but Williams is at 6,766 feet of elevation. Williams is notable for two things. The first is it is part of the famous Route 66 and second is the Grand Canyon Railroad that travels 65 miles to the Grand Canyon.
I just came back home after being away for two nights and three days. The feeling of refreshment and renewal felt so good that it inspired me to write this story for you. This year has been a challenging one as I am sure many of you can relate. In addition to the normal challenges […]
Something was off, literally. The sign on the building I approached had been removed because you could see the outline of what used to be a Swift Trucking sign. Instead the new sign was NV Transport. Being curious by nature I entered the office and found mostly Russian and Ukrainian employees at their desks. I […]
As I sit here at my computer in Troutdale the night air is heavy with smoke. My eyes burn, the yard and cars are covered in a very thick ash from the forest fire raging out of control in the Columbia Gorge. It started as a small fire apparently due to a young 15-year-old boy […]
Troutdale has recently hired a new city manager that previously served as the municipal court judge for some 27 years. Prior to serving as judge, Ray Young, 57 was the prosecuting attorney for the city. He is well connected, understands the city, and is the obvious choice to help manage the city. Driving down Interstate […]
Recently I have been a “guest” at two of the local hospitals. For those of you who have had similar experiences the one thing you look forward to during your stay is meal time. Traditionally, hospital food could best be described as institutional and tasteless, without regard to presentation or convenience of delivery. However, there […]
Ryan and I were both shopping at an auto parts store and struck up a conversation that has led to this story. Ryan Donato, in partnership with his cousin Jeremy Killian—both 34 years old, own a manufacturing facility. It has been in production for one year and seen amazing growth with expected sales of $1 […]
Sometimes you find nuggets of gold in your own backyard. In Troutdale, not only did I find gold nuggets but the mother lode. If you have a graduating high school senior in your family (and I am including you grandparents) or if you would like to go on to a master or doctoral degree this […]
Since I was a little boy I have had a love for cars. I can still remember looking out the back window of my father’s 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline and naming off the brands of cars as they passed by. Americans have had a love affair with cars for decades and the brand loyalty towards car […]
“Treason” is written by the well-known Newt Gingrich and co-authored by Pete Earley. Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House, and presidential candidate in 2012. He is also the author of 14 New York Times bestsellers. This latest entry into the publishing of “Treason” provides insight into our national government. According to Gingrich, “Treason […]