In Search of Alternative Fuels

We do a lot of zoom-zoom over those secondary and back roads of the Palmetto State. With an eye toward alternative fuels we decided to tie up at Sonny's and Son ABC Store on Hwy 6. Stepping inside revealed a nice, clean renovated store with all wares brightly displayed. In South Carolina, everyone knows that the Red Dots represent the hot spot in any community. Sometimes their customers are still seeing spots the morning after.

I figured that those fellows know something about how alcohol's made and sold and I know a little something about how it's consumed, so I walked in to begin a discussion on how the alternative fuel, Ethanol, might best be applied to our current Arab oil addiction.

The gents were cordial, open and willing to chat. When you say Ethanol inside, there are puzzled looks and shrugging, but when you clarify your comment to ask after the famous "Old Everclear" which is 190 Proof Grain Alcohol, everyone is smiling that knowing smile which comes when such a hallowed name is invoked.

A quick review of the pricing schedule indicates that this alternative fuel comes to about sixty-eight dollars per gallon US which is a little more than fuel at the gas pumps. Beside this, all the empty glass bottles mean having too many of those blue recycling bins aboard for even a short trip.

It all seemed like such a good idea at the time, but the devil is in the details. So goes another not-ready-for-prime-time alternative fuel. The men at Sonny's decided to take care of their patrons dependence upon Ethanol: sell them more and that I would take care of the Mustang's dependence upon gasoline: buy it more. On leaving everyone was happy and standing back I couldn't help notice how the Windveil Blue went so well with the Red and White in the background, thus making a suitable picture for Veterans Day.