How does one get from the Ozarks back to the Rockies in such short order?
Well... it is easy if you're MSTS dysfunctional and have MSTS ADHD* like I do!! (*Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Case in point: A week or so ago, in an email reply from Steve W in response to my showing of my latest accomplishments on the ES&NA extension he said: "You really shouldn't be left alone." 
And he's right. I SHOULDN'T be left alone.
Well... I gotta' admit... laying 57 miles of track plus towns and stuff in 10 days WAS a bit over the top... but it was fun and that part has been accomplished for when I want to return to it. So... he's sort'a right!
Okay... good enuf'... but HOW did the CM come back into the picture when I was neck deep in the Ozarks????
Pshaw. That answer to that is so obvious any moron should figure it out: Because of my bowels and my bedtime. How obvious.
You see, I have this "habit". No, not the bowel thing, that is "natural", so to speak. The "habit" I'm referring to is that of grabbing my reading glasses and a book (or magazine) when heading off to that special "room" for some intimate time on the Porcelin Throne.
Thus, regally perched thereon, I will then commence reading and browsing whatever happens to be the topic for that "session" as business on the other end is dutifully taken care of.
SOoooo... now that you understand THAT... it should become easy to make the connection that lately I happen to have been reading CM books when I head for some "quiet time" in the Throne Room.
Oh, that and my bedtime.
Also understand that lately I have been pushing away from the computer about an hour or more before bedtime and (propping up on pillows, reading light on, and a nice litte fan blowing) have been relaxing and reading geniune "books". Books: You know... those squarish thingies with pages of printed matter and pictures therein... those things we used to read before Al Gore invented the Internet.
Needless to say... all this reading of the CM material is re-igniting my creative energy to indulge in that project again.
So, I opened the CM route and looked around. Yup, I accomplished a lot before I stalled on the need for more Victorian era building textures. BUT... with fresh eyes I saw things that need to be addressed:
1. Wonder if the gorgeous prototype area could be improved upon in MSTS by replacing the 30m terrain in use with 10m Seamless?
2. Wonder if my propensity to "overbuild" an area can be addressed by returning to previously built "supporting cast" yard scenes and, through new "eyes', rationalize the areas and remove redundancy to the point of bare necessity? This would help the ol' Object Count and devote more resources to the CM and its operation.
Plus, I must confess: IF I had expended the track laying effort recently spent on the ES&NA Ozark Lines extension on the CM... its track would be 20 miles PAST my target terminal of Florissant!!
That was a bit sobering.
Agreed: Both projects are very different in nature and each caters to an aspect of MSTS route building I enjoy...
* The Ozark Lines appeals to my creative side and allows me to not only incorporate some railroading elements that WERE in the Ozarks, but also to see things that COULD HAVE BEEN, or SHOULD HAVE BEEN in the Ozarks.
* The CM appeals to my historic side and offers to me the opportunity to closely recreate a pivotal historic route and then EXPERIENCE OPERATING over it in virtual form.
Both aspects of MSTS route building are compelling to me.
In addition, I also enjoy the contrasts between the two route enviorns, which is quite pronounced:
* Ozarks: Lush green, tumbled topography, "hillbilly" atmosphere, etc.
* CM: Ultra rugged topography, arid and rocky terrain w/evergreen trees at points, based on as much prototype accuracy as MSTS and my abilities can allow.
Very different animals... very different experiences.
So you see, it's just the nature of this particular beast. (i.e. Me.) I just can't help myself.
I mean, am I to be blamed it if the fever pendulum is swinging back toward the CM for now?Of course not.
Soooo...... come along with me and let's enjoy the roller coaster ride together!!!
But, and this is the scary part, I started to relate . . . . 
