Trail of the Firewriter…
2010 Road Trip: End of the Trail

It was a fast track home after I left Kansas. I thought I would never get out of that state. It is long and wide and the scenery never changes. I met a lot of great folks in Kansas but the landscape was monotonous. I could never understand why Dorothy wanted to go back to Kansas after her trip to Oz. In a manner of speaking, my “Trail of the Firewriter”  had been a journey to an American version of Oz. I encountered some pretty colorful characters during my travels. I was even able to perform on stage in Las Vegas. I got pinched by a show girl, I had met heroic Firefighters, and even traveled through the Valley of the Tits. It was a fantastic experience for an old retired fire captain.

I hustled across the mighty Mississippi without ever getting an audience with Chuck Berry. He still performs once a week in downtown St. Louis. His keepers protect him and I thought that was sad because he is no more famous than The Coasters and they sat and visited with me like I was a show biz regular. It shows the diversity of people I met on my travels.

The beauty of America filled my heart with pride. We are so fortunate to live in this country. The people I met along the way were gracious, interesting, and strong. America is healthy, no matter what its detractors say. Walking the decks of warships in Alabama and California reminded me of the big stick my country carries. It also reminded me of the sacrifices my fellow citizens are willing to make to preserve our freedoms.

I scooted across Indiana and Ohio and stopped to kiss the ground when I drove over the border that brought me back to Michigan. I could smell the smoke of the Zug Island steel plants and see the blue water of the Detroit River as I crossed the I-75 bridge over the Rouge River I could see old Delray where I grew up, married my high school sweetheart, and we raised our children. This was the heart of the 7th battalion where I was privileged to work with the best Firefighters in the world. It was good to be home again.

I Thank all of you for traveling with me. You were great traveling mates. I will see you again on my next adventure.

Bob Haig, Retired Captain, Ladder 13


Trail of the Firewriter will be published in a book later this year. Contact info:


The Firewriter visits Vegas Showgirls
The Firewriter visits Vegas Showgirls

Valley of the Tits
Valley of the Tits

America's big stick
America's big stick

Heroic Firefighters
Heroic Firefighters


"Trail of the Firewriter" Posts

"Fire Horses" book authored by firefighter R.J. Haig.

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