Who Needs Sochi? We've Got Watertown.

Ed's first snow tubing experience goes down in New York history. Well, at least in Daily Rant history. Watch his first interview here:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Pit Stop At Home
2012: Adding A Few More Wheels To The Big Rig
2011: Again And Again And Again
2010: Hood Ornament
2009: Eddie Out Of Control Friday
2008: My Boyfriend Simon Is Back In Town
2007: A Little Taste Of Miami Beach
2006: Ooooohhhhhh, Jabra!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Most Awkward Descent Down A Snow Covered Hill. Ever.

Today we went snow tubing at Dry Hill Ski Area in Watertown, New York.  I've never been snow tubing in my life, even though I grew up with snow.  I've been sledding on an old-fashioned wood sleigh with rails.  I've gone down the hill on a plastic roll up sled.  I've even made the trip on a flying saucer.  But never, ever on a tube.

And Ed?  Well, he's never done anything in snow period.  He grew up in Texas, where they don't get snow like we do in New York.  So for $15 each, we got our tickets for our first snow sport adventure.

We started at the bottom of the hill, lining up with all the other tubers - mostly children, but several parents and other adults too.  I didn't really feel as out of place as I thought I would.  I imagined a Saturday morning with a million kids running around.  And although the kids outnumbered the adults, they were having such fun - in the non-maniacal-hyped-on-sugar-Chuck-e-Cheese way - that they were actually kinda enjoyable to be around.  Don't tell anyone I said that.  

Once you get to the front of the line, your tube is hooked to a pulley, like a snow tube ski-lift, that takes you to the top of the hill.  Here's Ed lounging on his tube as he's pulled up the hill.  

When you get to the top of the hill, you roll off your tube, stand up, and retrieve your tube from the attendant.  Rolling off the tube is where my first injury occurred.  I don't know how it happened, but I tweaked my right thumb.  Hard.   

Ed immediately made fun of me, "You have a snow tube injury??  Already?  You haven't even gone down the hill yet."

"I think it happened when I fell off the tube," I said.  "I pulled it back or something." 

"Fell off the tube??  You rolled off the tube.  A tube that's six inches off the snow."

Well, whatever.  Over the course of the day it got worse - I couldn't pull my gloves on (try that without a thumb) - and by the end of the day it was bruised and swollen.  I couldn't even text. Tragic. 

Anyway, once we got to the top we had a choice of five lanes to tube down.  We chose the middle lane.  Here's Ed waiting his turn.

We did this several times, down and then back up the hill, using the third lane each time.  Then they closed that lane to shovel some snow that had accumulated in the path.

For the next run, I wanted to use the lanes to the right because they looked smaller, like baby lanes.  Ed suggested to use one of the lanes to the left because he thought it'd make a better photo op.  So I chose the fourth lane, positioning my tube at the top of the hill and preparing for takeoff.  

Here I am starting my descent.  I quickly wound up in the backwards position, as it's apparently impossible to keep a circle from turning, and there's really no way to steer or direct yourself.  I was backwards on all the other runs down too.  I didn't like it but it was unavoidable.  

Halfway down is when my spectacular wipeout took place.  I don't know how it happened, but I do know I felt as if I were tumbling in the undertow of a giant wave.  My face was in the snow and I rolled several times before coming to a stop.  Notice you can see my tube here, but I'm obscured by the poof of snow.

I came to a stop right in the middle of lane four.  Like a harp seal.  Belly down, face in the snow, tube turned over, me taking a moment to quickly assess whether I broke anything before standing up.

After I righted myself - all the layers I was wearing made me feel not just like a regular seal but a pregnant one, making me way fluffier than usual - I got up, walked to the end of the lane, and waited for Ed.  

I lost my sunglasses, and when Ed gave me the once over, dusting the snow off my clothes, he noticed I also lost an earring.  I knew I should have taken them off, but since the first few runs went pretty well, I figured I was safe.  

Here's a close-up of my beached seal pose.  I laugh every time I look at it.  And if you look at the snowbank on the right, close to the bottom of the photo, you can see my sunglasses.  The guy shoveling found them.  

Standing there recovering from my tumble, taking a breath, my hair wet with snow and most definitely a wreck (I could hear it screaming for a comb), I saw Ed staring at me.

"What?" I said.

"Uh, nothing." he said.  

"No, what is it?"

"I've just never seen you look like this in public before," he said. "Actually, I've never seen you look like this anywhere.  Ever."

I forbid him to take a picture.  But I did get one of him, after he made a snow landing at the end of his next run.

To be honest, even with crooked glasses and one eye full of snow, he looks ten times better than I did.

Which is why you will never see that photo of me.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  At The Top Of My Favorite Cities List
2012: Not Looking Anymore
2011: There Is Hope
2010: Where The Bunnies Of The Desert Hang Out
2009: The Marion County Shirt Factory Incident
2008: Eddie Roams The Mayan Ruins Friday
2007: Self Service Antiques
2006: Begin At Once
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Winter Is A Table Set With Ice And Starlight

Photo courtesy of Google

Happy Valentine's Day!!  I hope you're out there giving and receiving love today.  I'm still in New York - my favorite state of all, my home, my heart - and I am ready to face this day with a heart full of love.  And the best part is that I get to do it in the snow!

To celebrate winter, I want to share a poem I saw on a friend's Facebook page.  I thought it was perfect for a snowy Valentine's Day.


WINTER
by Greta Crosby

Let us not wish away the winter.  It is a season unto itself, not simply the way to spring.

When trees rest, growing no leaves, gathering no light, they let in sky and trace themselves delicately against dawns and sunsets.

The clarity and brilliance of the winter sky delight.

The look of fog softens edges, lulls the eyes and ears of the quiet, awakens by risk the unquiet.  A low dark sky can snow, emblem of individuality, liberality, and aggregate power.  Snow invites to contemplation and to sport.

Winter is a table set with ice and starlight.

Winter dark tends to warm light:  fire and candle; winter cold to hugs and huddles; winter want to gifts and sharing; winter danger to visions, plans, and common endeavoring--and the zest of narrow escapes; winter tedium to merry-making.

Let us therefore praise winter, rich in beauty, challenge, and pregnant negatives.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: The Romance Of The Road
2012: Celebrate With A Wild Desire
2011: Powerful Stuff
2010: Falling In Love With Ugly
2009: A Love Like This Can Know No Death
2008: Peace To This House
2007: The Sultan Of Love
2006: It’s Even Better Than Arbor Day
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Flakes Got Up Early And Stayed All Day

Last night I stayed up late watching "This is 40", shaking the bed with laughter while Ed slept.  I was also waiting for the snow.  It was supposed to start late, but the real stuff was coming early morning.

1am, nothing.  2 am, nothing.  3 am, nada.  And at 4am when I went to sleep, not a flake had fallen.  I kept looking out the kitchen window of the sleeper, hoping to see something happening.  I finally had to go to bed because I had to get up in three and a half hours.

At 7:30am when I got out of bed, the first thing I did was look out the window.  The snow had come.  Ed said I was so excited looking out the window, like a kid waiting for Santa.

The snow wasn't letting up, but when we first headed out, the roads weren't too bad.

But they did get progressively worse.  Not icy, just snowy.  Visibility was so bad, it was hard to see cars in front of us, so many of them ignoring the headlight law in New York.  It was even difficult to see the snowplow right in front of us, despite their flashing lights.

The snow kept coming and although we were heading north and would eventually be getting out of the worst of it, it was hours before we hit clear-ish roads again.  There was hardly anyone out - us Yankees are smart like that, we stay home in shitty weather - and the ones who were driving were handling the weather just fine.

I grew up in this area and have been driving in snow since high school.  I'm very confident when behind the wheel.  Thankfully, today I didn't have to do the driving, I got to be a passenger.  

It looks like we'll be here for the weekend and Ed had the idea to rent a snowmobile.  I might just be into that.  Of course, I don't think I have the proper snowmobiling clothes, but I do have enough stuff to layer.  Which will probably make me look like the Michelin Man wearing a red scarf and gloves.

It's still snowing and we're expecting more tonight and into tomorrow afternoon.

This might just turn out to be the best Valentine's Day ever.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Headed For A Slow Boat To China
2012: A Roaring Forties Tasmanian Devil Of A Blue
2011: Waiter! There’s A Beer In My Soup!
2010: Id’ Rather Go Naked Than Wear Wolf
2009: Eddie Getting His Licks Friday
2008: The Place Is In Ruins
2007: Winter Shadows
2006: The Angels Of The New York D.O.T.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Still Before The Storm

I've been dying to see snow and I finally got a real dose of it.  We left South Carolina just before their ice storm hit and made it to the part of New York where I grew up, thirteen hours later.  The storm that dumped ice on the South is headed our way tonight and I, unlike so many other people, have my fingers crossed that we'll get dumped on and I'll be smack in the middle of all the snowfall.

This field, with the four trees and the three lonely benches, was across the street from the place we picked up our load.  The snow was untouched and the sky was overcast.  The air was still.  New snow is on the way.

This is my New York in black and white.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Sizzle, Drizzle, And Pour
2012: Dreams Explored Over Dinner
2011: I’m In Love And It’s Not Even Valentine’s Day Yet
2010: Eddie As Fisherman Friday
2009: Birds And Barbells On Muscle Beach
2008: A Girl On The Shores Of Cozumel
2007: I’m Not Exactly Sure What You’re Proposing Here
2006: The Blizzard Of 2006
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

In The Nick Of Time

We sat in the truck stop watching the power company trucks trickle in.  By the time we left this morning, there were ten of them.  Waiting for the Storm of the Century to unfold.  Well, if you don't count the storm of the century that hit them two weeks ago.

This is what it looked like when we left South Carolina early this afternoon.  We were getting out just in the nick of time.

We're heading to the Northeast, where snow is expected, but also where they are not only prepared for it, but know how to drive in it.  I suspect we'll be enjoying several inches of snow - somewhere between six and fifteen if the forecast is right - for Valentine's Day.  

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the love.

Later, Dixie!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  This Business Means Business
2012: A Nodding Donkey On The Hill
2011: What A Croc
2010: Flash Of Pole
2009: They Hire ‘Em Young These Days
2008: Setting Sail At Sunset
2007: Happy Bee
2006: It’s Not Unusual
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The New Rest Area

I was sitting outside of the Pilot for a little less than an hour waiting for my laundry to be done.  I had a seat perched on an empty shelf where windshield washer fluid once sat, and an unobstructed view of the fuel island.  I surfed the net on my iPhone while I waited.

During that time I watched this ABF truck on the right pull through the fuel island - he didn't even get fuel - and park in the spot he's currently in. He went inside and disappeared for at least twenty minutes.

I know it was twenty minutes because I was timing my dryer cycle.  And when the women in the truck behind him pulled in - she got fuel, washed her windows, popped the hood and checked her fluids - before she headed up the stairs to go in and pay.  She was talking on her Bluetooth headset the entire time.

When she came out, I politely interrupted her.  I told her the guy in front of her had been there for twenty minutes, that he didn't even get fuel, but that I hadn't seen him since he went in.  She thanked me and said, "Well then I think I'll just go get me a cup of coffee."  

She came out with the coffee and he was still there.  By now it was at least thirty minutes he'd been gone.  She got back in her truck, still talking on the phone, and sat there for a while.  He eventually came out, fast food bag in hand, lumbering to his truck as if all was right in the world.  He was a big 'ol boy, too.

Now I'm all about the lazy.  I will take the spot closest to the door in any shopping establishment worldwide.  Here at the Pilot, the parking lot was one flight down from the fuel island, the store was one flight up, and the Wendy's was another two flights up.  I can see where a bout of laziness can strike.

As much as I feel the pain of those who don't want to do a Stairmaster to get a burger, the embarrassment of coming out to a fuel island full of people after having been gone for thirty minutes, and to not even emerge with a fuel ticket in hand, would have been more than I'd be able to bear.  I like my lazy to be done privately.

Getting fuel, paying for it, grabbing a cup of coffee or a snack while you're inside getting your paperwork is fine.  Parking and going for your lunch is not.  Using the fuel island to catch up on your logbook is not.  Calling your girlfriend or mother and chit-chatting while other people are waiting behind you, no good.

And it's certainly not the place to squeeze in your thirty minute break.  Use your brains, people.  You're not the only one on the road.  Have some consideration.

Because we've got your number.  That's right, ABF Truck# 500447.  I'm talking to you. 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Sidestepping Nemo Wasn't All That Hard
2012: Fun, Fresh, Fabulous Little Neighborhood
2011: What Do You Get When The Daily Rant Meets The Plum Trucker? A Plum Crush!
2010: Industrial Morning
2009: Sunset On Venice
2008: Knots And Nautical Miles
2007: What Is The World Coming To When The Girls Next Door Think They Are Fat??
2006: T.T.D.L.I.T.H.A.T.I.F.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Chocolate And Gnocchi - The Best Of Any World

Flipboard has done it again - provided me with a bunch of links I love.  And now I share them with you:

It may take a long time for you to find them, but your doppelgänger  is out there somewhere.
I love chocolate, but I've really never considered it for breakfast.  I'm not even a chocolate chip pancake fan, but I might change my mind for chocolate waffles.  

My absolute favorite type of pasta in the world is gnocchi.  I prefer the potato ones, but I certainly wouldn't turn down a plate of these.

Hellman's - known as Best Foods out West -  is my ONLY choice for mayonnaise, but I'm not sure about some of these recipes.  Peanut butter and mayo?  No thanks!

If I'm going to travel in style, I should be staying in a castle, right?  Here's a list of nine I can choose from.

Chocolate is always on the menu for Valentine's Day, and a few of these could convince anyone to be your sweetheart.  

"Sometimes it is not convenient to raise kids. If you have them at the store, and they are screaming and you have to tell them to stop twice… what do you do? In our case, we would stop shopping. Drive all the kids home. Put the child in the corner or whatever the punishment for that child was even if it took an hour or so."  Parents, are you listening? That's what this guy did.  I do hope some of you try it.

I've seen stuff like this before.  And I still don't believe it.  How can it be??

Which two sides of your face would make the best photo?

The hidden eco-system of the Walmart parking lot.  "The chain has a policy, at most stores, to let travelers spend the night for free in their vehicles."  Yeah, unless you're in a big rig - we're often chased off their lots.  Even if we're there to shop.

Totally inspiring creative apps.  I just became a Mural.ly user!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Looking And Smelling Good Behind The Wheel Of A Big Rig
2012: Necessary Evil
2011: Getting Drunk On Summer Fun
2010: How Is It The Fish Don’t Freeze???
2009: A Meal Even 300 Year Old Monks Would Love
2008: Not A Knock Knock Joke
2007: Eddie Shades Friday
2006: The Idiot And The Box
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Jolly Green Giant Lives In Blue Earth

On our way out of South Dakota we drove through Minnesota. I saw a sign on the highway that indicated a green giant was nearby. I stopped at a rest area, Googled it, and found out that he was at the very next exit. 

We found him standing proudly in a snow covered park.

He's pretty damn big. According to a sign erected in the park, he's 55 1/2 feet tall, made of fiberglass, weighs 8,000 pounds and has a smile that stretches four feet wide. It cost $43,000.00 to manufacture the statue and it's been standing in Blue Earth, Minnesota since 1978.  

I also learned something in the few minutes it took me to Google the Green Giant. These peas - with the French name, in the beautiful silver can - are made by Green Giant. I'll admit I never read the label closely, and I think I only bought them once, but I thought they were some exclusive French peas. What the hell??  I've been snookered!

Now that you've seen him, the only thing left to do is sing his song...

Ho Ho Ho!  Green Giant!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: My Man's Got More Than A Million
2012: He Might Not Be Able To Move A Rubber Tree Plant, But He Can Certainly Get Transportation In California To Come To A Screeching Halt
2011: Business As Usual In America
2010: Teeny Tiny Cows Are So Delicious With A Side Of Teeny Tiny Tortellini
2009: Sleeping Atop Signal Hill
2008: Eddie Reads A Book Friday
2007: Finally! Someone Who Thinks I’m God’s Gift To Man
2006: Pool Shark
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Late Afternoon In South Dakota

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Farm To Market
2012: Providence Silhouette
2011: We Got Fatter But We Lost Weight
2010: Stripping, Vitamins, And Cheesecake
2009: Ocean Front Crowd
2008: He Wouldn’t Recommend His Wife To Anyone He Knows
2007: Spring Has Sprung In My Hotel Room
2006: High School Hottie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Winter Baby

Happy 39th Birthday to my Sweet Eddie!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Let Me Count The Ways
2012: He’s Been Waiting For This Day For Thirty-Seven Years
2011: Twisted Raoul
2010: The Spring Chicken Celebrates His Big Day
2009: Eddie It’s My Birthday! It’s My Birthday! Friday
2008: As Pisghetti Gains Another Year, I Lose Eight
2007: Happy Birthday My Sweet Eddie!!!
2006: The Many Faces Of Ed
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants?

In November 2013, I had my first real eye test, at 46 years old.  I was told I needed glasses.  I haven't purchased real glasses yet, but yesterday I bought these Foster Grants at Target, in a style aptly named Daydreamer (but in this color, with a free case, for only $10.99).  My first pair of readers.  

I tested them by the fact that I was finally able to see my cuticles.  Oh, and by reading the small print on the back of the tag.  I could see both clearly.

They're only temporary, and I like the way the rectangular shape looks on my pear head.

PS:  It's me behind those Foster Grants.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Where Are The Cushy Couches And Fat Laps?
2012: The Stealth Trucker
2011: Aisles Filled With Q-Tips
2010: Lights, Camera, Action!
2009: Desktop Material
2008: C’mon In
2007: Eddie Hits The Bricks Friday
2006: Built With The Organization Gene
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

What Else Is There To Do When It's One Degree Outside?

It was one degree when we ventured out for the day.  First the post office, then Target, then laundry if we had time.

I'm actually enjoying the cold up here in South Dakota.  I was telling Ed that this is what I was used to my entire life, a nice change of weather.  In Tucson, the weather is always the same - hot and sunny, really hot and sunny, and in the winter, less hot and sunny.  Although this year when we were home, it was pretty damn cold.  But still, if you were to look out the window, it looked like every other day of the year.

I love the change of season.  I love having an end to the blistering heat.  I love fall and I love snow.  I'm rarely in snow anymore as it seems that we never ever get anywhere when the snow is actually on the ground, but I'm hoping we'll see a few more snow covered places before spring.

It's actually refreshing to be outside in the cold.  Invigorating.  The weather here is supposed to dip below zero the next couple of days, and there may be more snow.

Maybe we'll have to buy those sleds Ed was eyeballing today.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013:  Packing Up
2012: A Man Can Do All Things If He Will
2011: Spinning Our Wheels
2010: It Takes Two
2009: Buona Sera King Louis
2008: The Newest B & B Trend Might Not Take Off As Expected
2007: Pirelli
2006: Classic Sal
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Story Told In Stone

As we drove up the driveway we knew what we were looking for but surprised that we couldn't see it. It was big. We knew that. So where was it? 

Then we saw the mountain, and as we got closer what we were looking for became clear. We were at the Crazy Horse Memorial.  And it was an entirely different kind of Crazy Horse than we'd seen in the past.  

When I zoomed in with my camera, I was able to see the face of Crazy Horse, the Lakota leader who was born on Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of South Dakota about 1842.  His face and what's going to be his arm and finger pointing out across the land of his people are the only discernible parts of the sculpture.  The memorial represents the spirit of Crazy Horse to his people, and the left hand pointing out to the distance, is in answer to a question that was posed to him by a white man.  That white man asked in a mocking tone, "Where are your lands now?"

His answer:  "My lands are where my dead lie buried."

The mountain is massive.  The hole that you see in the middle is 100 feet high by 110 feet wide, big enough to fit a ten-story building in.  The face alone is nine stories high.  The first blast to start the carving was done on June 3, 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who was almost 40 years old when he began.  The information in the brochure states that  Korczak was completely self-taught and never took a formal lesson in art, sculpture, architecture, or engineering.  He came to South Dakota with $174 in his pocket and dedicated the rest of his life to the project.  He knew he'd never see it completed in his lifetime - he died in 1982 - so he left detailed plans for it to be continued.

They've made very slow progress, for many reasons.  One, the entire project is privately funded.  No federal funds have been used for this sculpture.  In fact, the artist twice turned down offers of $10 million dollars from the federal government.  He wanted the project to be for the people, paid for by the people enjoying it, not by taxes.  And he didn't want his plans for the project to be derailed by a government making decisions regarding it.

Another reason for the slow progress is that most of the work was initially done by Korczak alone.  He did have ten children, and today seven of the ten work on the mountain or for the mountain.  We were told by a gift shop employee that there are currently only seven people who work on the mountain, every day, Monday through Friday.  And there are times when the visiting public can even watch the blastings.

Zooming in further still, you can see the completed face.  It's really quite amazing, the size of it.  To give you an idea of how big it is, the four faces of the Presidents on Mt. Rushmore can fit inside just the head of the Crazy Horse carving. 

There are big plans for the future of the memorial location, including an American Indian University and Medical Training Center.  The Indian Museum of North America is housed at the Welcome Center on the property.  The interior of the building, glossy wood in all directions, is beautiful. The website states the museum incorporated Korczak’s love of wood and natural lighting, and it's certainly obvious.  This room has a wall of windows, overlooking the mountain.

Across from the window wall, are pictures of Native Americans, many who were part of or witnessed the Battle of Little Bighorn, commonly referred to as Custer's Last Stand.  I didn't know those were the same thing - so much for my history lessons.

The majority of these Native Americans - with names like James Come Again, Henry Little Soldier, Joseph High Eagle, and John Sitting Bull, adopted son of the famed Hunkpapa Sioux Chief Sitting Bull - lived well into their eighties and nineties. 

Here you can see part of the Tribal Flag Collection, in one of the rooms of the museum.  There are currently more than 125 flags in the collection.

On the back porch area is the 1/34th scale model of the sculpture, which weighs 16 tons.  Other rooms in the museum house equipment used to carve the mountain, and there's even a bin where you can get a piece of the stone from the mountain to take home with you.

The carving has not been without some controversy, and many wonder when it will be finished, but no matter who says what, it doesn't really take away from the fact that it's really a spectacular sight.   

I'd say you can pretty much guarantee, barring the decimation of the earth, that it'll be standing long enough to take your children and grandchildren to see. 

Hopefully by then, they'll be a little further along in the carving process. 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Eddie Sandwich
2012: Finally – Freight To Buzz About!
2011: For The Crybabies
2010: Chillin’ In Utah
2009: Taking The Peas For A Ride In A Cozy Little Shell
2008: Wyth Jane’s Kin In Wytheville
2007: Color In Architecture
2006: Living On
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

These Four Guys Always Have The Same Expression On Their Faces

Since we found ourselves in Rapid City, South Dakota for the weekend, we thought we'd take a little Sunday drive to see Mt. Rushmore.  It's been six years since we were last here.  The Avenue of Flags leads to the viewing area at the base of the monument.

There are 56 flags which represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the United States of America.

Not surprisingly, nothing has changed.

This time, we drove around the side of the mountain, because we were heading over toward Hill City.  On that route, you get to see George's profile.

Look at how pristine that face is.  

Ed's comment on Facebook was, "If you follow the road around the corner and peek through the trees, you can see his ass crack."

Oh, Ed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Save Money On Sandwiches, Buy Nice Car
2012: Big Money Needed For A Relaxing, Feel-Good Experience
2011: The Original Metrosexual And The Petting Zoo
2010: Cribs For Corn, Not Celebrities
2009: LL Cool E
2008: Hunt On Hold
2007: The Blondes Come Marching In
2006: Thank You Is Not Enough
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

We Do Not Remember Days, We Remember Moments

Me, my father, and my brother.  Trump Tower, New York City, October 1986.

Today marks the seventh year since my father died.  I was so happy to come across this picture today, because this is how I always remember my father.  Smiling.

This may not be the best quality photo, but this day was great, and this moment memorable.

I miss you Daddy.  Thanks for all the great moments.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Sharing The Long Haul Lifestyle
2012: Love, Peace, And Soooouuulll
2011: Taste The Fire
2010: Finally, A Shot At Playmate Of The Month! (Sorta)
2009: Remembering
2008: Eddie Gets His Eyes Checked Friday
2007: Shifting The Sun
2006: My Daddy Is Gone
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!