New Orleans French Quarter

I finally made it to New Orleans French Quarter and I'm glad I did not go during Marti Gras - WOW, it's easy to get lost there (even though it was daylight, I was sober and I was not chasing women - just imagine the opposite).

I only spent a few hours wandering the streets and I hope to get back there someday for more exploration.

I'm Movin' On ...

On the forth of July I had the pleasure of dancing with a beautiful friend and while we were dancing I heard the song I'm Movin On by Rascal Flatts. It was written by PHILLIP BRIAN WHITE and
DAVID VINCENT WILLIAMS. I bought the song (MP3) on Amazon the next day.

This Monday I was camping at the Three Rivers State Park on Lake Seminole (northwest of Tallahassee, Florida) and found inspiration there. I put the music together with some video I shot around the park and I am sure that those who know me understand the message.

I have posted the video @ http://vimeo.com/15412406

It is about 4 minutes long. I hope you will enjoy it.

Gulf Coast Beaches

I really do enjoy the Gulf Coast beaches much more than the Atlantic beaches. Today I was in Sarasota, Florida and started down at Siesta Key then made my way up to Lido Beach where I spent a good deal of my early childhood. The sand is not course like other beaches and is almost pure white. I love white sandy beaches. I spent a little time walking on the beach on Siesta Key but the sun was intense and the air temperature was 94 degrees. So I found a shady spot on Lido Beach and did a little people watching, read a bit in my current book, swam some and napped some. It was a good afternoon. As the day progressed a storm moved in from the east, slowly, and it gave me some time for a few sunset photos. It didn't start raining until I was well off the beach. It was a good day.

Long walks on deserted beaches ... I'm getting used to it.

Saturday afternoon, 88 degrees and a light breeze from off the Atlantic Ocean made it a perfect day for a long walk on a (practically) deserted beach. Time to think. Time to plan. Time to reflect. At breakfast this morning I read a sign on the menu that said "Indulge yourself, beginning to end". And I thought to myself; 'Self' I said, 'consider those three words, beginning to end - every day we are all beginning to end'. And then I thought of the fellow who stopped in a small town and asked an old farmer if he had lived there his whole life and the farmer replied "Not yet." No point here, just a musing.

Key West revisited 2010

I had a wonderful re-visit to Key West. My first visit two years ago was interrupted by hurricane Helen and was just long enough to wet my appetite and peak my curiosity. Being a little more familiar with the town I was able to enjoy much more sight seeing and yet there is still so much to see and do.

My favorite spots, so far, are the lighthouse, the customs house, the beach, Captain Tony's and all of Duval Street. I met some interesting people, listened to some fun music, learned some history and took quite a few pictures. The tropical breezes that swept across the town took me away to a time of pirates and adventure. I walked on the beach beneath a full moon and I even danced a few steps with an enigma.

So, where to next? I am heading up to the beaches along Florida's Atlantic coast. The weather is unsettled but it might provide some nice photo ops.

Reunion - Class of '65

We had a wonderful time at the reunion - so many old friends and so many new ones too. I drove down to Brooksville, Florida to spend some time with George and Janet (Cook) Williams. We rode down to Ft Lauderdale together for the reunion and it was good to let someone else do the driving for a while (Thank you George).

Friday night was busy with running around finding old friends. Saturday morning breakfast was more time to catch up and then I hit the pool for a couple of hours. I met some nice folks who were on their way to cruise on the new ship Oasis. Going back and forth through the hotel I was constantly running into classmates and those little conversations lead to meeting other classmates, kind of like a domino effect - great fun !!! The evening dinner and dance was lots of fun, too much food, not enough dancing, and just the right amount of laughter.

Sunday morning breakfast was too short and then we were on the road again back to Brooksville where I will stay through Tuesday morning before deciding which direction to go next. The road ahead is pregnant with possibilities.

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH ...

Today in Carlisle, Kentucky I made a major breakthrough on the Walls family research. I found, thanks to Kimball Booth (a local research hobbyist), that I was missing one generation in my tree. And, as luck would have it, his name was James Walls (I'm still chuckling about that one). He was born here in Nicholas County, Kentucky in 1836 and his father's name was Zachariah Walls. Now I'm getting someplace ... just don't know where yet.

Goin' to Kansas City ....

How many times have I listened to , sung to, and just plain enjoyed the song Kansas City? It must be hundreds, and this morning I had the pleasure to stand at the (symbolic) corner of 12th street and Vine.

Power up ....

I spent the night in Rawlins, Wyoming last night, elevation 6,000 feet. It was a cool night but not uncomfortable. When I went to start the van it was obvious that the battery needed to be replaced so I drove into Cheyenne for a new battery and now I am powered up! I hope to make it to Kansas City by nightfall.

Road Trip 2010 ... Day one

I got a late start today but still managed to get 400 miles down the road. Caldwell, Idaho will do for the night and I hope to get an early start in the morning. The trip so far has been uneventful and that is a good thing, just a little rain coming through the blue mountains. I am very happy to report that I am getting 20 mpg which is better than the 18 mpg I was getting before I had the fuel pump replaced, and that's another good thing. I'm looking forward to lots of "good things" this trip.

Small town hoedown ...

I had a wonderful treat Friday night while visiting my friend at the First Friday Art Walk in Estacada, Oregon. There was live music in several stores and art shops but by 8pm most of the musicians were gathered in the shop on the corner of 4th and Broadway (I think it was called Mossy Rock). The room was small but it was filled with fun loving, music loving people who would join in singing when they knew the song and at least some of the words. There were at least 6 guitars, 2 mandolins, a ukulele, an accordion, an upright bass, a banjo, and one very good fiddle player, not to mention a guy harmonicas, one on a washboard and another playing spoons. This was not a bar or tavern, just the back room of a nice little shop. There was complimentary wine and snacks, iced lemon water and a jar for contributions. It was difficult to get a good video because the lighting was poor and the people who were there to socialize were constantly trying to talk over the music but I have included a 1 minute video, for what it's worth.