By Bo Durban 4/2/2023

It's a mystery that has puzzled fans of the classic movie "Smokey and the Bandit" for years - just what was the route taken by the daring duo of Bandit and Snowman on their high-speed run from Atlanta to Texarkana and back? The clues are tantalizing, but elusive - a Sheriff's roadblock in Arkansas, a famous bridge jump, and the cryptic words of fellow CBer "Silver Tongued Devil."

Silver Tongued Devil: Breaker, breaker, this breaker is lookin' for the Bandit. C'mon you out there, son?

Bandit: You got the Bandit. Come on back.

Silver Tongued Devil: My handle's Silver Tongued Devil and I am here to tell you your fellow CBers are mighty proud of ya out there. C'mon.

Bandit: Thank ya, son. I appreciate it.

Silver Tongued Devil: Tell me, you comin' up on Fayetteville and Interstate 82?

Bandit: Yea, we're almost on top of it.

Silver Tongued Devil: Well then I got a big bad bear story for you out there. I just rolled past a county mountie roadblock down there.

Bandit: You ARE a silver-tongued devil.

Silver Tongued Devil: Well, you keep your wheels spinnin' and the beavers grinnin', then. I'm out.

As we follow the trail of clues, we're led down a winding path of misdirection and confusion. Fayetteville, Arkansas? That's in the northwest corner of the state, nowhere near Texarkana or Desha county. And Interstate 82? That's a long way off, up in the Pacific Northwest.

But just when we think we've hit a dead end, we uncover a crucial piece of evidence - the original screenplay, which refers to just "eighty-two". Which most likely refers to "Highway 82". Suddenly, everything falls into place, and we can envision the Bandit and Snowman tearing down the open road, evading the long arm of the law and leaving a trail of dust and exhaust in their wake.