Hey Bob! Your hitchhiking adventure sounds like an amazing journey, especially that Texas Panhandle night with the breathtaking stars. It must have been a magical experience to connect with the cosmos in such a personal way. Your love for astronomy and the peaceful nights in Colorado really struck a chord. Also, Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds is an absolute classic – timeless message and music. On another note, I'm new here and came across [szkhy.com] while researching this topic. Gonna check it out!

Hello...just saw some of your comments/questions...interesting...seems you have a gentle but passionate view of your world...good...my best gift was from the cosmos...when I was pretty young...a ripe 19...I hitchhiked across the country alone...to see what was there and, growing up in a large city (Cleveland) I had never seen what the western night sky had to offer...my first night after a very long ride....I was let out and wandered out into the plains to sleep...settled in, and saw the most amazing starry night in the Texas Panhandle area...no city lights to block out what I had been missing all before...slept so well that night and those starry nights became almost as a nightly friend...it all led to many stories but eventually, years later I minored (among many other majors and minors) in astronomy to try and understand it all...never stopped loving that beautiful peaceful night and still sleep out at night when I am on my land in Colorado just to keep that feeling alive...so...this is my answer...write me if you wish more...take care, Bob
oh, by the way, Love Turn, Turn, Turn...Byrds...the message and the music as well...

Well ...in the spectrum of sixty-something years … that massive Big Bruiser Tonka Truck that held more dirt (and dumped) than anything in our fleet! We’d actually ride in it down a hillside it was so solid. Loved that truck!

Bradshaws Railway Guide Handbook from 1858

My kids and grandkids..