news-record.com

Somewhere in Montana or Wyoming today a tall, square-shouldered man who might have well fit in with the legendary lawmen of the West will be spending another day taking in spectacular sights.

Kernersville’s Neal Stockton has retired his pistol and police chief’s badge and awaits his next adventure in life.

But his next trail is uncertain, he said.

He’s merely talking about the last breathtaking mountain scene and enjoying the memories of yesterday.

“I love the West,” Stockton said before leaving Kernersville to investigate some of the historic places where famous lawmen and outlaws once walked. “I love the quietness — not that I’m a loner; I just love nature,” he said.

Neal Stockton and his cousin, Roger Stockton, a retired radio station executive, left Kernersville on Sept. 8 for Glacier National Park in Montana.

They also plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, which lies in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

The duo flew to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they rented a car. They expect to be back in Kernersville by Sept. 25.

“Neal is doing all of the driving; I planned all of the places where we are going. We want to spend a day in Salt Lake City going back,” Roger Stockton said. “If we don’t have time for a day in Salt Lake City, we may skip that,” he said.

They left fishing tackle and hunting gear at home. This is strictly a sightseeing mission. But they did pack some heavy clothing to combat the cold weather and possible snow that’s not uncommon there in September.

“We love doing things together,” said Neal Stockton, who turned 54 on Saturday. “Roger and I have a good time together. We’ve done some traveling before — went to New Mexico together five years ago and really had a great time,” he said.

“The last trip we took, Neal did all of the driving then, too — about 5,000 miles,” said Roger Stockton, 71.

“Two years ago I went to Las Vegas with Ray Smith, the town of Kernersville’s human resources director. Of course, we were on business for the town, but it still was exciting to be out West,” Neal Stockton said.

This may not be the last of the Stockton boys’ major trips. “Roger and I are going to visit a lot of national parks,” Stockton said.