The Last Road Trip - Part 6

The first location I seriously considered as being appropriate to spread Al's ashes was the Badlands in South Dakota.

Al and I both read and enjoyed Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. We agreed it was interesting that the Democrats had chosen a candidate in that pivotal year (George McGovern) from a state not many people know about, let alone ever see.

When I phoned Al's wife at La Alegría, where she's staying with TheSpecialOne until this adventure ends, she asked whether I was sure that's what I want to do.

It was the first time I'd spoken to her since we hit the road and it was the only time she's questioned anything I was doing. That led me to believe it was not a good choice.

Al's wife is aware that I forwarded calls from The Bat Phone to a mobile phone I have with me and that she could call at any time if she had any questions or requests.

I was honored to hear that she's been following my blog posts. While I'm afraid her comments on what I've been posting are overly generous it was a conversation I will forever treasure.

Before we left their house, I was able to convince Al's wife to keep some of his ashes. She'd asked me at the time to do the same, before spreading them wherever I felt would be appropriate. When we spoke, she emphasized again that's something it's important to her that I do.

We're heading South now and, again, our destination is undetermined.

Photographs by Kilroy_60

For as long as I knew Al he always had at least one Cadillac, but never had a new one. In fact, it was the older ones with the big fins that he most enjoyed driving.

Coincidentally, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was one of Al's favorite bands and Bruce recorded two well known songs featuring Cadillacs.

When we saw Bruce and the boys in 1985 we were lucky enough to be at a show where they did Pink Cadillac. The song had been bumped from the Born In The U.S.A. album, but was the B-side of the Dancing In The Dark record that Al had on a juke box in his family room.

Here's a great version of Pink Cadillac...



The other song that we both loved was Cadillac Ranch. I'd say, without any question, that this ranked as one of Al's all-time favorites.

Here's a fantastic version of Cadillac Ranch from the 1985 tour...



The Master Baiter and I have listened to this one more than once, both on The River and Live 1975-1985.