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?

          

Shoot XVI - "Wheels of Borax"

And, the state of the week was "South Carolina!" I, too, thought Georgia was the Peach Capital!!! Heard from Milt, Michelle, Peyton, Vicky, Mike Di (he continues to get closer to the actual state), Elaine (and her grandsons), and Beth.

"Wheels of Borax"

Do you remember the fifties TV show, "Death Valley Days" and its sponsor, Twenty Mule Team Borax? Well, this would be one of the wagons that were pulled by those mules! Borax was big business in Death Valley. 

Today, the park has rescued some of the original equipment used to mine borax. Considering the heat I experienced when I was here, I do not know how the men survived - especially without any of today's creature comforts.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Growing old is mandatory; 

growing up is optional. 

~ Chili Davis.

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 former QB Steve Young, comedienne Roseanne, Loretta Young, and Butch Cassidy

site of the nation's first department store. It was established in the late 1800's. It is still in operation today as ZCMI.

has five national parks (and, I have been in them all)!

only state whose capital's name is made of three words. 

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

           I always wanted to be somebody, 

but now I realize I should have been more specific!

Shoot XVI - "Sunrise on Mesquite Dunes"

And, the state of the week was "South Dakota!" We know the Statue for Democracy better as Mount Rushmore! The potato reference had some people thinking Idaho. Showing up last week were Michelle, Peyton, Beth, Deana, Milt, Mike Di., and Carol.

"Sunrise on Mesquite Dunes"

One of my first stops within Death Valley was the Mesquite Sand Dunes. There were only about two miles from my lodging so getting back and forth from there was probably the easiest shoot I had. 

The most difficult issue I had was finding an area without the evidence of foot traffic! I guess Star Dune was just a little too far for the two legged visitors to trek to so it was clean of footprints. 

What caught my attention was the combination of the deep shadows and the contrasting mountains behind them. There was almost a sensual sway to Star Dune. 

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

When you throw dirt, you lose ground. 

~ Texan Proverb.

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 James Brown, Vanna White, Chubby Checker, and Joe Frazer

home of the largest Gingko farm in the world.

place with the  oldest minor league stadium in the nation.

Peach Capital of the World

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

One nice thing about egotists: 

they don't talk about other people.

Shoot XVI - "Mosaic Canyon"

And, the state of the week was "Ohio - the Buckeye State!" Good to hear from Mike Di., Milt, Peyton, Beth, Elaine, Carol, Michelle, and Lisa! 

"Mosaic Canyon"

When one thinks of Death Valley, images of barren, dry, and colorless areas come to mind. One of the trails in this national park was the Mosaic Canyon. I managed to get to the parking lot just before dawn and had the lot, the trail and the canyon to myself! Walking in the dark, I was not prepared for the canvas Mother Nature created! At first light I saw the image above. The colors were amazing! 

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

A blind person asked St. Anthony: 

"Can there be anything worse than losing one's eyesight?" 

He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

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 Cheryl Ladd, Tom Brokaw, and Terry Francona

home of the Shrine to Democracy which took took 14 years and cost a mere $1 million!

Potato Capital and one of its cities is home to the world famous Mashed Potato Wrestling contest.

home of the world's only Corn Palace.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. 

We haven't met yet!

Shoot XVI - "Ghost Rider"

And, the state of the week was "Maine!" I think the clue of the one-syllable was a big help - however, you probably started to think of many states before coming to "The Pine Tree State." We double our correct responders last week to a grand total of four (4) - Mike, Milt, Elaine, and Carol!

"Ghost Rider"

A side trip from Death Valley was to the ghost town of Rhyolite, NV. However, you would be cheating yourself out of a real experience if you drove by the Goldwell Museum!

On the grounds there are several sculptures created by various artists. Szukalski in 1984 left his mark on the area with "Ghost Rider" and "The Last Supper." Originally meant to last about two years, this plaster-soaked fabric continues to grace the museum.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Life is like riding a bicycle. 

To keep your balance you must keep moving. 

~ Albert Einstein.

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 Hallie Berry, Clark Gable, Th. Edison, Dean Martin, Steven Spielberg, Paul Newman, Annie Oakley, Arsenio Hall, and Neil Armstrong!

place where the first electric traffic lights were invented and installed in 1914

place where the first ambulance service was established in 1865.

place where pop-top can was invented the pop-top can and the cash register in 1879 to stop patrons from pilfering house profits.

home of the world's largest basket. It is located at Basket Village USA.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

 I asked God for a bike, 

but I know God doesn’t work that way. 

So I stole a bike and asked for His forgiveness!