My dad was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He once told me he spent a short period of time aboard the USS Missouri. That means he walked the deck of one of the most significant ships in U.S. history.
Why?
The formal surrender of Japan took place aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, marking the official end of World War II and forever adding to the legacy of the battleship.
It might be argued that yesterday I “one-upped” my dad.
Why?
Because yesterday I was in Boston, where the USS Constitution is moored. I walked her top deck and gun deck and viewed the captain’s quarters.
The USS Constitution gained legendary status during the War of 1812, defeating five British warships and proving that the young United States Navy could stand against the powerful British Royal Navy. Her resilience in battle earned her the nickname “Old Ironsides” after British cannonballs were reportedly seen bouncing off her thick live-oak hull.
Today, she is the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat. She was launched on October 21, 1797.
On September 16, 2026, I walked aboard U.S. naval history.
How cool is that!
Unfortunately, Gayle couldn’t board the USS Constitution because the ship is not easily accessible with a mobility scooter. The top deck was also crowded, which would have made it difficult for her to move around.
After I spent a short time aboard the USS Constitution, we headed toward Salem, hoping to have a bewitching experience.
We drove around for a while but didn’t find much that caught our attention. Eventually, we parked in a garage across the street from the Salem Visitor Center and explored a couple of nearby blocks, taking pictures of a few historic buildings and one rather interesting statue.
The statue is Roger Conant, regarded as the founder of the English settlement at Salem. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long, flowing cloak, he certainly looks the part of someone associated with Salem’s witch-trial history. In fact, people frequently mistake him for a witch. But Conant had nothing to do with the witch trials. He led settlers to the area, then called Naumkeag, in 1626.
After leaving Salem, we traveled through a small portion of New Hampshire on our way to Portland, Maine.
Even though we spent less than an hour in New Hampshire, it still qualifies for checking off one more state on our quest to visit all 48 contiguous United States.
We’re getting close.
Only one state remains—Vermont.
We’ll be there in a few days.
Today I have seven pictures and one map to share.
First pic: The USS Constitution.
Second pic: The deck of the USS Constitution.
Third pic: The captain’s quarters.
Fourth pic: The windows at the stern of the ship, below the lifeboat, mark the location of the captain’s quarters.
Fifth pic: The Roger Conant statue.
Sixth pic: A church near the Salem Visitor Center.
Seventh pic: The Salem Witch Museum. We didn’t go inside.
“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” — Earl Nightingale
Yesterday morning I had the plan—to drive to Boston. I had Apple Maps and a road atlas. What I didn’t have was the courage to ignore the calling of Provincetown and Cape Cod. So, I changed my plan.
All my life, I have noticed Cape Cod when looking at maps. For some reason, it has always intrigued me. Cape Cod is that distinctive hook-shaped peninsula in Massachusetts that extends into the Atlantic Ocean.
We were so close, I couldn’t pass it up. If I did, every time I saw a map and noticed that unique hook-shaped peninsula, I would regret not going. So, we put Boston on hold and made our way to the end of Cape Cod Peninsula —and Provincetown.
To be honest, the drive there was boring. No sights to see, no interesting places or buildings to photograph. But we moved on, and we were rewarded with an interesting place to explore—and we did.
I did not know this: The Pilgrims actually reached Provincetown before Plymouth in 1620, and the Mayflower Compact was signed while the Mayflower was anchored in Provincetown Harbor. The 252-foot Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum commemorate that history.
Gayle and I visited the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum after an unexpected workout for me. The monument and museum sit on top of a fairly high hill.
To get there, we went up a steep road. It was a long, hard walk—except for Gayle. She was on her mobility scooter. I thought about taking it from her, but I didn’t like the idea of being arrested for mobility-scooter jacking. The other prisoners would probably laugh at me.
I manned up and made it to the top, with Gayle right on my heels. I was worn out; Gayle was no worse for wear. Imagine that!
That is why it is painful to admit there was an incline elevator to the top—and we didn’t see it or know about it until after we got there. They say ignorance is bliss, but in this case, ignorance was exhausting.
We made a quick tour of the museum and then went out to the Pilgrim Monument. It’s an impressive structure with a great view of Provincetown and the harbor.
We then took the incline elevator back down. It sure is easier going downhill than going uphill!
From there, we explored Provincetown. It reminded me of Key West or St. Augustine—narrow streets, plenty of shops and restaurants, with people crowding the sidewalks, streets, and stores.
What we found were high-priced restaurants and gift shops similar to those in most tourist towns—mostly T-shirts, clothes, jewelry, and not much more. We were disappointed because we thought there would be more items crafted by locals and celebrating the history of the town.
However, we still enjoyed the visit, and the weather was refreshing. The temperature was in the upper 60s with a good breeze. Like I said, it was refreshing—a polite way of saying chilly.
We ate lunch there and had some excellent food. Gayle had a fish (cod) sandwich, and I had chicken parmigiana—it was huge and very good.
After lunch, we made it back to the Bronco and headed toward Boston. We ended up stopping in Brockton, Massachusetts, about 20 miles from Boston. Last night, the low was 55.
We will be in Boston today for a few hours. The high is forecast to be around 78.
Below are seven pictures and two maps—one showing where we were at lunchtime and one showing the location of last night’s stay.
First pic—the map showing where we were at lunchtime.
Second pic—the Pilgrim Monument.
Third pic—Provincetown Town Hall.
Fourth pic—people waiting in line for lunch at the Lobster Pot.
Fifth pic—a downtown street.
Sixth pic—the incline elevator. Yes, that incline elevator.
In the U.S. there are more than 26,000 Subways, 19,000 Dollar Generals, 14,000 McDonald’s, and 8,000 Dunkin’ locations. Since we have been traveling through New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, we have seen more DDs (Dunkin’ Donuts) than anything else. They are everywhere.
On numerous occasions, we have seen two DDs within a block or two of each other. In the Northeast, at least from what we have seen, DD is a giant among giants.
Okay, that was an observation I wanted to share, but now on to our Northeast adventure.
Wow, what a difference a day makes. Two days ago, we woke up to rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding in New York City. Yesterday morning was awesome—we woke up to cool temperatures (68°), a nice refreshing breeze, and clear skies. A beautiful day for traveling, shopping, and sightseeing.
We started the day in historic Mystic, Connecticut. It’s a small coastal town with historic charm and beautiful homes.
After breakfast, we drove around town exploring while waiting for Olde Mistick Village to open at 10 a.m. We drove across a historic bridge and saw beautiful homes throughout the town. Mystic is a clean, alluring town that was settled in the 1600s and is well worth taking the time to visit.
We arrived at Olde Mistick Village right at 10 a.m.
Olde Mistick Village is an open-air shopping and dining village designed to look like an early-1700s New England community. It was really nice. Many of the stores had wooden floors that creaked and squeaked as we walked across them. I loved that! Remember, for me, it’s the little things that make a difference in an adventure.
There are more than 40 independent shops and boutiques offering gifts, specialty foods, jewelry, books, home décor, clothing, and Mystic souvenirs. There are also restaurants, cafés, ice cream, and a movie theater.
We had an enjoyable time walking around Olde Mistick Village in the 70-degree weather and shopping in most of the stores. We purchased a few items, but Santa sent me a text telling me not to tell anyone what we bought. So, sorry, everyone. I don’t want to get on Santa’s naughty list by telling you. 😃
It was too early for lunch, so we got back on the road toward our next destination—Boston, Massachusetts.
Along the way, we stopped at a diner for lunch. I had an excellent hamburger on a very soft and tasty bun. Gayle had a BLT. We both enjoyed lunch. By the way, the diner had wood floors. Perhaps that made our lunch just a little bit better.
After lunch, we were back on the road and enjoyed some coastal sights, including the lighthouse at Beavertail State Park in Rhode Island. We also drove across two awesome bridges.
We stopped short of Boston and got a room in Seekonk, Massachusetts. After spending a night in a place called Mystic, how could we not stay in Seekonk? So we did! 😃
So far, we have traveled 1,989 miles. Yesterday, we paid $4.39 per gallon in Mystic, Connecticut.
Below are 10 pics from the day, plus a screenshot of our location last night.
The first pic is the historic bridge in Mystic.
The second pic is a home along the way that I really liked.
The next six pics were taken at Olde Mistick Village. One includes Gayle, and the building that looks like a church is not a church—it’s a meeting hall. In the steeple are clocks on each side, and bells chime on the hour.
The lighthouse pic is Beavertail Lighthouse, built in 1856.
The last pic is of a large New England coastal-style building, probably a hotel, condominium, or resort property. We didn’t see a sign identifying what it was.
Finally, there’s a map showing our location last night.
We will be in Boston today. I wonder if the tea in Boston is any good? 😃
The rain falling down on New York City yesterday morning did not wash away our plans for the day—it just modified them.
We had planned on taking a tour bus to see a few things in New York City. But the rain put a damper on that because all we would be able to do on the tour bus was sit by a window and watch the things we wanted to see pass by.
Update: Instead of the tour bus, I drove around and we watched the things we wanted to see pass by—but we were able to get pics and saved $130 on two bus tickets. I love the rain!
Actually, we had a good time. It was raining, and the area we drove through was very busy, especially for a Sunday morning. People, traffic, and bright electronic billboards made it feel like we were driving through a pinball machine—a lot going on with flashing lights everywhere.
Before we turned onto Seventh Avenue to see Times Square, we were on Sixth Avenue and passed Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Then we made the turns to get onto Seventh Avenue.
As we drove down Seventh Avenue through Times Square, we passed Madison Square Garden and Penn Station and saw numerous huge electronic billboards that rivaled Las Vegas in brightness and color. Because it was early, cloudy, and rainy, it was almost like driving down Seventh Avenue at night. It was exciting, active, and fun to drive.
After we left Times Square, we continued for about four miles toward the 9/11 Memorial. A couple of streets were closed because of construction, so it was difficult to get there.
Apple Maps didn’t know about the street closures, so we drove in circles a few times, but we eventually made it to Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center 9/11 attacks. Because of the rain and the difficulties with directions, parking, and traffic, we agreed we were okay with just being at Ground Zero—so we moved on.
We then drove across the famous Brooklyn Bridge. That adds one more famous bridge to our list: the Golden Gate Bridge, Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Key West’s Seven Mile Bridge, and Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge.
After crossing back over the Brooklyn Bridge, we decided we had seen enough of New York City and started toward our next destination—Mystic, Connecticut.
We had two options for getting to Mystic: a two-and-a-half-hour drive via I-95 or a five-hour drive taking back roads and staying off the interstate. After three days of driving in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, I was ready for a relaxing drive through the countryside, and that is what we chose—twice the time, but worth it.
We were in Mystic, Connecticut last night.
Attached are eight photos from today.The pictures show screenshot on them because I take a screenshot of the photos to crop.
The first four pics around from Times Square. Pics 5 & 6 are the Brooklyn Bridge. Pics 7 & 8 are of two bridges we crossed on the way to our next destination. Pic 9 shows where we were last night—Mystic, Connecticut.
Baseball has the triple play. Horse racing has the Triple Crown. Yesterday, Gayle and I pulled off our own triple-heritage tour de force!
One definition of tour de force means an impressive achievement accomplished with exceptional effort. I’m not sure how much of our travels today were exceptional, but it’s a grand slam in my book! It wasn’t something we planned—it just worked out that way.
Yesterday we visited some of America’s greatest icons: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Statue of Liberty. Three things that I have always been in awe of since childhood. America history was my favorite subject in school and today was my best field trip ever!
Only twice before has a place I visited had an emotional effect on me—Little Big Horn National Park and Mount Rushmore. Now I will add one more place to that short list—Independence Hall.
As we started walking into Independence Hall it gave me “goosebumps.” To think I was walking through the very door George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams and other distinguished individuals of American revolutionary times was a moment I will not forget.
Then, as I entered the room where the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were debated. written, and approved, my eyes got a little misty. I loved being there—I felt humbled, privileged, and proud to be an American.
We saw the Liberty Bell before we went to Independence Hall. I didn’t have the same experience I had at Independence Hall, but I was humbled to be in the presence of such an historic and iconic symbol of our nation.
Once we visited Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell we decided to go on to Liberty State Park in New Jersey to see the Statue of Liberty. We believed we could get there in time to see it and not have to include in our New York City adventure. We arrived about 3:00 p.m.
Originally, I was okay with just seeing the Statue of Liberty from the park. But once we got there I changed my mind. We went to the ferry terminal that has ferry’s going to Ellis Island and to the Statute of Liberty.
We managed to get tickets the last ferry of the day that goes to Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty.
The ferry first docked at Ellis Island. If you got off you would need to wait until the next ferry arrived to continue on to the Statute of Liberty. We decided, because it was late in the day, to stay on board and continue on to the Statute of Liberty.
The Statute of Liberty is not on Ellis Island. It has it’s on island which is named Liberty Island.
We arrived at Liberty Island a short time after leaving Ellis Island. We debarked and walked around to the front of Lady Liberty. Wow! What an amazing sight and moment. I was actually standing in front of the Statute of Liberty. What a way to end a day!
The high temperature yesterday was around 83. There was a strong breeze at Liberty State Park and at Liberty Island.
As of last night, we have traveled 1631 miles. Gas ranges from $4.17 to $4.49.
We stayed in Jersey City last night. It’s not far from New York City. We will visit New York City today.
I have included 9 pics with today’s summary of Day 8:
1 Where we ate breakfast
2 The Liberty Bell
3 Independence Hall
4 Room where Declaration of Independence and our Constitution where written and approved
5 Our ferry boat
6 The Statute of Liberty
7 A cruise ship in New York Harbor
8 The New York City skyline
9 Our location last night
Until next time……we’re traveling on
Pics from yesterday. Click on the first pic and will enlarge the photo and then you can scroll through all the pics.
Most of today’s mainstream country music is missing a few things—the fiddle, the steel guitar, and twang.
Okay, you’re probably thinking, Here goes Gene again on a tirade about pop country.
Well, my friends, let not your hearts be troubled. This isn’t a “hit piece” on pop country. It’s not even about the fiddle or steel guitar.
It’s about twang.
Without the twang, traditional country music can easily turn into something a little less country, a little more contemporary, and a whole lot more susceptible to mingling with pop and hip-hop.
So, I was thinking: How can we get “twang” back?
Then it hit me like a largemouth bass strikes a colorful fishing lure.
All right, I’m not a fisherman, and I’ve never had a largemouth bass—or any fish, for that matter—hit a fishing lure I was using. But that metaphor sounds good, so I’m keeping it in this piece. I’ll figure out how to get it past my editor later.
Now, let’s get back on track and talk about twang.
It seems to me that in recent years, four-letter words—otherwise known as profanity—have infiltrated everyday conversation about as thoroughly as the invasive python has invaded South Florida. They’re everywhere.
Yes, I’m getting to twang. Here it comes.
This is where “twang” comes in.
To get conversations back to a state where old ladies aren’t offended, children no longer need to cover their ears, and some movies can once again receive a G rating, why not replace all that profanity with one non-abrasive, civil, and commercially acceptable word?
Twang.
And “twang” isn’t even a four-letter word.
Let me explain.
Instead of saying, “Damn it,” say, “Twang it.”
If you make a mistake, don’t say, “Oh ****!” Say, “Oh twang!”
Get angry with someone? Don’t say, “Go to he**,” or use the F-word. Just say, “Go to twang!”
Or, if you’re really mad:
“Twang you!”
Twang may never again be dominant in mainstream country music, but just look at what twang could do for civility by removing four-letter words from everyday conversation.
Well, that’s the twang of it all.
This piece may be a bunch of gobbledygook, but if nothing else, I hope it made you laugh once or twice.
If not, what the twang?
I tried.
I couldn’t possibly end this without a song. So, what better choice than Roger Miller’s 1964 “Dang Me”? It’s silly, it’s country, and “Dang Me” sounds suspiciously like Roger Miller may have invented the whole idea before I did.
Has country music changed—or have we simply changed with it?
For lifelong country music fans, that question has never been more relevant.
In My Kind of Country Music, Gene Johns explores the evolution of country music from the perspective of a fan who has spent a lifetime listening to the genre he loves. Drawing on decades of experience—and thousands of songs listened to in recent years—he examines what made traditional country music special and why so many longtime fans believe today’s mainstream sound has drifted from its roots.
This is not a history book or a biography. It is a thoughtful, often provocative look at the steel guitar, fiddle, storytelling, twang, and heartfelt lyrics that defined country music for generations. Along the way, Johns shares personal stories, memorable observations, and his perspective on the growing influence of pop music in today’s country landscape.
Whether you agree with every opinion or not, My Kind of Country Music invites you to consider an important question:
What makes country music…country?
If you appreciate traditional country music and enjoy thoughtful discussion about the genre’s past, present, and future, this book is for you.
There is an old saying that goes, “The older the tree, the deeper the roots.” It’s a metaphor suggesting that as people age, they become more firmly established in their beliefs and routines.
Okay, at 72 there may be those who would say I’m firmly established in my beliefs and routines. That’s true, but I’m going bald, so my roots can’t be that deep.
I accept change when it makes sense. I reject change when value, common sense, and safety are sacrificed for the promise of profit.
I’ll spare you the tire puns because you’d probably get tired of them. Instead, I’ll get right to the point of my deflated enjoyment of buying a new car: Ford decided my new Bronco Sport didn’t need a spare tire.
The day after I drove my new 2025 Ford Bronco Sport home, I decided to see what kind of spare tire it had—a full-size spare or one of those little donut tires.
When I looked in the cargo area where the spare tire had been in my previous Bronco Sport, I found…nothing.
“No problem,” I thought. “It must be mounted underneath the vehicle.”
It wasn’t.
I was confused and stunned. There was no spare tire anywhere. Instead, there was an electric air pump with tire sealant sitting in the shallow well where the spare tire would normally be.
My confusion quickly inflated into anger, and my anger turned into regret. I felt Ford, the dealership, and—just a little—my salesman had betrayed me. At no point during the buying process was I told that the Bronco Sport did not come with a spare tire. One would think that little piece of information might be important enough to mention before someone spends tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle.
I was ready to take it back to the dealership.
A few hours later, I learned that eliminating spare tires is becoming a growing trend throughout the automobile industry.
The explanation is that removing the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench reduces weight, improves fuel economy, and saves manufacturing costs.
I understand the reasoning. I just don’t agree with it.
In my opinion, the small improvement in gas mileage simply isn’t worth the possibility of leaving someone stranded in the middle of nowhere—think Montana, Wyoming, or Nebraska—with a tire that can’t be repaired with sealant and no cell phone service.
To be fair, the odds of that happening to me are probably very small. Then again, three years ago, while traveling out West, I found myself in an area without cell phone service. Low-probability events do happen.
I don’t believe the minimal savings in fuel or manufacturing costs justify removing something that has provided drivers with peace of mind for generations.
At the very least, if automobile manufacturers choose not to include a spare tire, they should still design the vehicle with space for owners who want to purchase one.
This letter really isn’t about a tire.
It’s about trust.
When customers spend a significant amount of money on a new vehicle, they deserve to know when something as basic as a spare tire is no longer included. That isn’t a minor detail—it’s something buyers should be told before they sign the paperwork.
As I said in the beginning, I accept change when it makes sense. I reject change when value, common sense, and safety are sacrificed for the promise of profit.
One more thing.
This isn’t directed solely at Ford because many dealerships do the same thing. Why do dealerships think it’s acceptable to place their own sticker or emblem on a customer’s brand-new vehicle? Unless you’re willing to compensate me for advertising your business on my vehicle, please leave it exactly as it came from the factory.
I’m sending these comments to Ford, my dealership, and my salesman. My salesman is a good guy, and this isn’t intended as criticism of him. I simply wanted him to know how disappointed I was.
I’m also choosing not to identify my dealership publicly because I have been a loyal customer and intend to remain one.
However, I will post these thoughts on social media because, like me, I’m sure many people have no idea the dependable spare tire has quietly disappeared from many new vehicles.
The disappearing spare tire may be the worst automotive idea since the Ford Edsel.
I hope these comments will spare future customers from the same deflated new-car buying experience.
I suppose the next thing that will happen is country music radio will stop playing country music.
