Another crazy friend takes his last train ride…
Mr. Rick Gage
This is a picture of the hobo “Iowa Blackie” that I found on the internet (Google Image ‘Iowa Blackie’) . I think at the time he was on his way to the hobo convention in Britt, Iowa. His banjo case has been Photoshopped with the label “2003 IOWA Blackie” . Having his name in big letters just wasn’t his style.
Here I am with Iowa Blackie in Le Claire, Iowa during RAGBRAI
Here’s the Register’s comment on his death. I would always seem to catch him someplace on the Ragbrai ride. If I didn’t see him first, he would see me and then there would be an exchange of banjo jokes like you wouldn’t believe. He was a “hobo” of sorts and was voted ‘King of the Hoboes’ at one time. But how many hoboes have their own website? Check the site out before it’s gone: He’s got a refrigerator magnet on sale for $2!
The dude was a poet, too! Here’s a sample of his work “The Diarrhea Poem”
You ever had a day like that
When nothing seemed to come out right
Except when on the potty sat
So comfy with relief in sight
This time however you must run
For there is such an urgency
Of nature merely having fun
Disrupting your complacency
You make it in the nick of time
So thankful you were able to
And with a feeling most sublime
You let go with a mighty poo
Here’s to you, Mr. Gage. You will be missed.