For some reason all of a sudden every time I insert a new track, be it a midi synth track or an audio track, the default output is not through my master anymore and I don't seem to be able to find anywhere where I can change that.  It didn't use to be this way, is there a way to make the default output of any track the master? like it should be

The only way I know off the top of my head is to use a track template.
It does store output information. Probably not what your looking for but it does work.

As soon as I finally decided to post this I found that all I needed to do was right click the master and select "set as default bus"

Choose Insert from top menu, then Multiple Tracks.
 
The Insert Tracks dialog box appears. Choose Master under Main Destination and tick Set as Default Bus. Then click OK.

I was too slow, with a less slick answer. 
 

yes, I was way off
it appears I didn't understand your question. my apology's.
 

Both of your suggestions were great though, for as long as this was an issue for me that was the only work around I found.  Thank you both for your help