BEST FRIENDS IN GRADE SCHOOL: We traveled many miles

BEST FRIENDS IN GRADE SCHOOL: We traveled many miles, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

TWO BOYS ON A MOPED HEADING NORTH BY R.L. HUFFSTUTTER

My best friend from about the third-grade, Robert and I were destined to go on many adventures as we grew older. The first adventure of note began when he talked his parents into a MoPed. It didn't take long for the travel bug to bite. We headed out of KC one morning headed for Des Moines.

Somewhere near Corydon, Iowa, we were pulled over by the Sheriff. No licenses were really necessary, but the Sheriff was a bit upset that we were only twelve and on our way to find our fortune in Iowa. We stayed at the Sheriff's home that evening and part of the next day until Robert's folks drove up to ''bail'' us out. For years thereafter, I sent the Sheriff of Corydon, Iowa a Christmas card, /s/ the 2 Roberts......

When Robert earned enough money to purchase a 1949 Chevy coupe, we headed out on U.S. 24 toward the Rocky Mountains. We had a blast, ran out of money, worked at restaurants washing windows and saw a lot of sights. The age for drinking in Colorado was eighteen at the time, and eventually we found a tavern in Colorado Springs that overlooked our age (16) and served us Coors on tap.

Although our trips were frowned on by our parents, they were forgiving. Looking back, naturally, I sometimes grieve a bit for such foolish acts, then I recall the memories of America in the late 50s and the melancholy regrets transform to golden moments of youth