A crowd gathers along the railroad in Gilbert during the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad’s Steam Locomotive #844, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. The locomotive known as Old #844 was built in 1944, traveled through Arizona in celebration of the state’s centennial. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Yesterday a buddy and I took a road trip in search of fall colors, and 12 hours and 520 miles later I’ve got NOTHING to show for it! I guess several things led up to it. I started the morning at Discount Tire after finding a bolt sticking out of my front tire, but the guys there fixed me up great and for free. They’re going to get my business for life. We got a late start and didn’t leave the Valley till 11 a.m. Then we decided to …