Shoot XVII - "The Blue Whale"

And, the state of the week was "The Green Mountain State!" We did hear from Michelle, Carol, Joani, Peyton, Mike Di., and Milt.

"Blue Whale"

Closing out Shoot Seventeen with another bonus from walking the Freedom Trail. At one point the red-bricked path takes you across from the Rose Kennedy Greenway. For those of us who knew the old Boston, the Greenway sits where the elevated Expressway ran through the city. The original green monster has only a few steel beams to keep its memory fresh! The real estate below this asphalt ribbon is now the home to the Greenway - a one and a half mile collection of contemporary parks.

One of the newest creations to this area is a carousel. This merry-go-round is unique due to the characters that provide seating upon it. The critters are all native to Massachusetts. Here I captured the Blue Whale but you can sit atop a lobstah, sea turtle, grasshopper, butterflies, skunk, fox, peregrine falcon, barn owl, a harbah seal or a sea serpent (has not been verified as being home to MA).

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

A smile is something you can't give away; 

it always comes back to you. 

~ Unknown.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

home of legendary sports announcer, Curt Gowdy (could not find any other celebrities from this state!)

license plate that features a man on a bucking bronco.

first state to give women the right to vote.

home to the first official National Park (1872) and, the first National Monument (1906)

lowest population of all 50 United States.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

If I agreed with you. . .

we’d both be wrong!

Shoot XVII - "Along the Freedom Trail"

And, the state of the week was "Oklahoma." The state with the best abbreviation - OK! apologies to Elaine whose name was left off last week's correct responders. Here are the OK followers from last week -  ELAINE, Milt, Michelle, Mike Di., Peyton, and Joani (I trust I have them all).

"Trail Marker"

To continue along the Freedom Trail, you simply follow the red bricks! Every so often the organizers placed these brass mementos of the walk. There were so many photo ops from the Bunker Hill Monument to the State House that I could have done an entire year about it - BUT, I won't! (I heard those sighs of relief out there)

I would highly recommend catching the historic trek somewhere along its length and take in its sights and sounds.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Generally speaking, 
you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

 ~ Unknown.

(But you will learn a lot when your feet are moving on the trail!)

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, John Deere, and Rudy Vallee.

largest producer of maple syrup in the US.

smallest (in population) state capital in the U.S.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

 When tempted to fight fire with fire, 

remember that the Fire Department usually uses water!

Shoot XVII - "Step 294"

And, the state of the week was "Iowa!" Too easy for all of you. Did you realize that its abbreviation is made up of two vowels as well - IA?? Well done, Peyton, Carol, Mike Di., Milt, Joani, and Michelle. Thanks for dropping by, Jeff W.

"Step 294"

Finally back from the Southwest and ready for another shoot. #17 was the result of an embarrassing situation that took place in Bryce! I had an interesting conversation while waiting for the sun to rise. A couple from Down Under spoke highly of their visit to Boston. They especially enjoyed walking the Freedom Trail and being able to put a place to what they had read about in U. S. history.

For many years I had taught fifth grade Social Studies which focused on the history of our nation. Much time was spent on the Revolutionary War events happening in Boston.

I had to fess up that I had never walked the entire Freedom Trail although I had visited parts of it. So, two weeks after I got back, I walked the trail starting at the Bunker Hill Monument!

"The Last Step" is the last step in that monument! And, there are no elevators!

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by 

us standing in our own sunshine. 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Brad Pitt, Will Rogers, Dr. Phil, Ron Howard, James Garner, and Garth Brooks

state where the first parking meter was installed in 1935

location for the Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World. It is here that the World Championship Cow Chip Throw is held each April!

nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters.  Nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed at the National Lighter Museum. 

setting for the movie "Twister".

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

 If money doesn’t grow on trees 

then why do banks have branches?

Shoot XVI - "Scotty's Castle"

And, the state of the week was "Utah!" All on target this week - Carol, Mike Di., Milt, Joani, Peyton, and Michelle!!!

"Scotty's Castle"

Well, all good things must come to an end and so it is with Shoot XVI - my SW Trek II! Scotty's Castle was a pleasant surprise in the desert. The buildings and grounds are considered a national park within Death Valley. The spiral was not easy as I was flat out on the floor looking up into the tower turret. Many thought it was a shot looking down.

You have to read up on Scotty and the scam he pulled off to get this castle built!

Here, the rangers are allowed to forego their standard uniforms and dress according to the era. Meet Ranger Holly:

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; 

an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. 

~ Winston Churchill.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

home of John Wayne, Johnny Carson, Jerry “The Beaver” Mathers, Cloris Leechman, Donna Reed. George "Superman" Reeves, Herbert Hoover, Mamie Eisenhower, and Glenn Miller! 


home of the world's largest strawberry!

home to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum which is the only museum in the country dedicated to preserving the history of sprint car racing.

only state name that starts with two vowels

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

Huh?

Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

But, why are "wise man" and "wise guy" opposites?