ICE

Used to be that ice was a real valuable commodity around these parts. Still is I guess, but not like the days when you had to cross Nevada on Highway 40.

104 degrees, dry hot wind blowing, driving the narrow blacktop with all the windows rolled down. The Mayor, he used to sell ice cream cones, said people would stop for a while just to let their tires cool down. The big swimming pool, right downtown under a canopy of huge trees, was a real popular stop on a family trip.

Finding a gas station with a good supply of ice to keep things cool to the next stop was a near necessity. That and a couple of canvas bags of water strapped on the front, catching bugs, and the odd jackrabbit or deer.