"Get your kicks..."

"If you ever plan to motor west,

travel my way, take the highway that is best.

Get your kicks on Route sixty-six."

~ Bobby Troup

Another Land

My wife and I just returned from a ten-day adventure which included a few days in a theme park I knew about but had never visited. What a visit! Over the next few weeks or so I'll try to share some of my thoughts and comparisons between Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Both are unique in their own right.

Being a person who has always visited the east coast parks, I can some up my experience in the west coast parks with one word, "Wow!"

One note for this post, when we walked into Town Square, we went to first to City Hall only to discover that the "Lilly Belle" was not at the park. Moving on, we made our way to the Fire Station. I paused and looked up to see the light burning in Walt's apartment. My emotions caught up with me at that moment and the full force of knowing this is Walt's park hit me. After working to pull myself together enough to talk, I said to Gerrie, "Honey, we could spend all day in this park and not do anything but walk around and it would be still be a great day!"

Still, we did visit a few attractions!

More to follow...

Something On A Sunday

Gulf Shores, Alabama  12.29.11

I am committed to continuing to post things here from time to time. True my focus has been shifted to other aspects of life and to other projects, but the space will still be a place where I wish to share.

My wife and I recently returned from a few days at the beach in Gulf Shores. It has been the vacation destination of my family for many years; between 25 and 30 I suppose. It is long been a place where I could go and drop a bag in the corner and reside on the balcony watching the surf. I would simply ask someone to, "Please tap me on the shoulder when we're going home." Otherwise, I was content to do nothing but look out at the water and enjoy the steady rolling and the calming sounds of the waves.

It had been three years since I was last in Gulf Shores and I missed it. It didn't matter that it was not the summer, or that you had to wear a jacket at times. I was back in a familiar haunt and came home refreshed and relaxed having had time to reflect on the days ahead.

With this being my first post of the new year, let me close by wishing you a fulfilling new year. I hope there is something new you wish to do, something exciting you wish to accomplish. All the best!

More to follow...

Five Hundred +1

For the 501st post, I am going to take a bit of a break. You see, I do have this obsessive side that requires that I go into the Parks from time to time. And since it has been just six months since I was last there, I thought it was time. So, this morning, I am flying down to Walt Disney World for a few days.

Actually, I'll be there until mid-afternoon on the 18th. There our several of us from our local gathering of Disney fans who are converging for a few days of fun. Oh, and we'll be enjoying a few trips around the World Showcase to experience the aromas and tastes of the International Food & Wine Festival.

If you are a friend on Facebook, or if you follow me on Twitter, look for a photograph now and then. Better still, if you're going to be in The World anytime between today and next Tuesday, look me up. Maybe we can say hello.

So, until next time, keep breathing!

More to follow...

Something On A Sunday

Choices

Gatlinburg, Tennessee 2007

Something On A Sunday

A Lamp, in some restaurant, in an old train station in Battle Creek, Michigan 05.04.08

Something On A Sunday

There used to be passenger train service in Nashville.

The Timetable

Union Station 02.20.11

Yes, there used to be passenger train service in Nashville. The photograph above is a timetable during the golden age of rail travel. As the years progressed and cars became the standard method of moving from one place to another, the services declined and some markets phased out entirely. Nashville was one of those markets.

But before the end my dad and I took a trip aboard The Floridian from Nashville to Palm Beach. What a great trip and a what great memories. At the time (the early 70's) Union Station was a home for pigeons. Thousands of pigeons. Amtrak had a small office and passenger waiting room in a corner of the lobby and to get from the front door to the waiting room you'd have to, in some places, walk on planks; the only walkway across gaping holes in the lobby floor. Flash forward - you'd never know that was the state of the building. Now it is a magnificent lobby for the Union Station Hotel.

Of the trip, I remember spending hours in the domed club car, one time staying up late playing nickel ante poker with some college students. My dad asked "How much did you lose?" "Well dad, I don't know how much I lost, but I won a little over $5.00." He was impressed. We visited the house we lived in when I was in the 3rd grade, spent a little time window shopping on Worth Avenue. Went to a greyhound track and saw my first game of Jai Alai. We drove along South Ocean Blvd. and I was amazed at the size of the houses some people lived in. Still am for that matter.

I could go on.

I wish passenger trains would return to Nashville. I would take as many train trips as time allowed. We have a few train trips noted in The Dream Book. Perhaps someday. On a train, the journey really is the point.

Photo Phriday

I love the month of August! I love the month of August for two particular reasons. One, my wife was born in August and two, I married my wife in August. In fact, we will celebrate our 20th Anniversary on the 30th. I can still remember it as though it was yesterday. It was a quaint gathering of 175 of our closest friends. My mother handled the catering. My son stood as my Best Man and my daughter was the Maid of Honor. It was an outdoor wedding, candles floating in the pool, and my bride came down the aisle, escorted by her son, to Flower Duet from Leo Delibes opera, Lakme. Instead of writing a vow that I would stumble through, I had In My Life by The Beatles played; my song for her.

Nearly twenty years ago.

I want to celebrate the month of August by sharing a few photos and stories of our life together. We'll begin with a photograph of two countries.

In the Fall of 1996, Gerrie and I took part in what was known as the Reconciliation Walk. The Reconciliation Walk was a prayer walk tracing the routes of the First Crusade. The purpose of the Walk was to pray for forgiveness for the atrocities committed in the name of Christ during the Crusade and when possible, share a message of peace with Muslims we may encounter along the way.

Gerrie and I, along with other members of our missionary training team, walked over a 1,000 miles during our ten weeks on the road. We began in Dijon, France and ended in Bari, Italy. We crossed three mountain ranges; the Jura Mountains, the Alps and Apennine Mountains. The photograph above is of Gerrie and I at Great St. Bernard Pass. The pass is at 8,100 feet above sea level. In the photograph we are standing in Switzerland and over our shoulders, the buildings in the distance, is Italy. We spent the night in the Hospice there, which has been receiving guests since around 1050, including Napoleon in 1800. The road he used to cross? Built by the Romans. The morning the photograph was taken, October 5th, we would come through the pass and enter Italy spending our first night in a monastery in Saint-Oyen.

From Saint-Oyen, we spent the next 6 to 8 weeks walking through Italy. Not the Italy of the travel books, but the Italy of the Italians. The small towns and villages that no one cares to visit. Sometimes we had wonderful accommodation, meaning that the floor was clean where we'd throw your sleeping bag. Sometimes we'd make it through the night and then pray that our next stop would be better. But good or bad, hot or cold, rain or snow, it was an experience that neither of us will ever forget.

Years have passed since those days and I am not nearly in the shape I was then. But on occasion, I dream about our Walk and I'd like to think I could do it again someday.

I love the month of August! It is my anniversary month. It has been a wonderful adventure! And it will continue to be for as long as we both shall live.

Something On A Sunday

Manitou Springs, Colorado 02.05.10

I enjoy the use of contrasting colors. As much as I enjoy seeing these on the streets or during my travels, I wonder if I could use them in my home and if I would grow tired of them quickly? An interesting question. My wife will soon be in the process of redecorating her writing room and she wishes to decorate it in a whimsical style. This could fit that style I suppose. But then it is her room.

Not sure if she'd like this much contrast.

Still...

Something On A Sunday

Near Red Rocks

In my Dream Book, there are a few pages where I am mapping out a road trip through the Southwest. It follows the route of Interstate 40 and then include as many drivable stretches of Historic Route 66 as possible once we reach and pass Oklahoma City. The photo of the wagon near Red Rocks is simply a reminder of some of the scenes I hope to find on this journey.

I have traveled to many places, both in America and abroad, but there are many places here that I have yet to see. It is dream, to see the places I haven't seen, but want to. It is a dream to visit the states that I have yet to visit. It is a dream to experience more of the wonder of our country.

Something On A Sunday

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina 07 19 09

When my wife and I like to get away, we sometimes find ourselves taking the drive east to North Carolina. The quiet lakeside village of Lake Junaluska offers a peaceful respite from the hectic pace we find in Nashville. There are places for nice walks and a front porch to sit on and rock while watching the world pass by. Just the things that every life should have from time to time.

Lake Junaluska is also not that far from a great friend affording a chance to have dinner together whenever we make one of our trips.

And as you can see from the photograph, there are flowers.

Something On A Sunday

Miner Lake, Allegan County, Michigan

Something about me; I work in order to live and not the other way round. I work so that I can enjoy vacations. Mind, I love what I do, but I also love being able to take time away from the office. Who doesn't? But really, this is subject for another time.

Miner Lake was the site of many wonderful long weekends with family. My late brother-in-law had a cottage there and for a time there, my wife and I would spend at least one elongated weekend there with her sisters, the brothers-in-law, and friends. Wonderful times and wonderful memories.

I miss going there.

Something On A Sunday

Lakeside Chapel

Lake Junaluska, NC 08.14.10

Something On A Sunday

Miss Patti's 1880's Settlement

Grand Rivers, Kentucky 12.17.09

Editor's Note: The house specialty at Miss Patti's is the 2" Charbroiled Pork Chop. It was more than I could eat in a single setting, but the leftovers made for a great sandwich the next day. Highly recommended.

Something On A Sunday

Manitou Springs, Colorado 02.10.10

My quest for interesting neon continues.

Something On A Sunday

Gatlinburg, Tennessee 10.04.09

Something On A Sunday

Today is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time and while I don't care for losing an hour of sleep, I do enjoy having more sunlight at the end of the work day. Though we still have a few days until the "official" first day of Spring, the spring forward in time marks an "unofficial" beginning for many people. With Spring also comes the desire to be outdoors more and for my wife and I, it means the time to take a few back roads road trips.

We don't seem to make as many of these as we would like. Perhaps the 2011 focus of downsizing and simplifying may help with that. I suppose we'll have to see the results of this as the year goes on.

The purpose of these trips, in the event you are somewhat new to the blog, is to get out on the road and see where the day takes you. Throw the cameras and a few snacks in the truck. Plug in the iPod and point in a direction, and take off. The only rule is you can't get on an interstate. We use U.S. highways, State routes, whatever. But the road can't be marked with an "I".

Now Beechgrove, Tennessee is approximately 54 miles from my house if we were to drive I-24 east towards Chattanooga. But, if we were to take I-24, I would not have found this.

Today it is called the Beechgrove General Store. But, in 1924, it was called Ms. Brown's Country and Kitchen. And yes, it still has a kitchen serving up a counter service fare that has stood the test of time. We sampled but didn't have much, as we had a date at the Bell Buckle Cafe later that afternoon. The floors are wooden, the displays are circa 1950s, and there is still a picture on the wall of Jack and Bobby Kennedy.

We live in a society that wants everything yesterday, and I am trying hard to not do that. I am not being very successful just yet, but I am trying. Slowing down, getting off the fast lane, taking a route where the speed limit changes every few miles; that is my goal. A few road trips are on the horizon as are a few weekends finding a few trails to hike here in Middle Tennessee. But, hey, that's just me.

More to follow...

Something On A Sunday - The Monday Edition

I spent most of my day yesterday with my daughter and son-in-law, enjoying a nice lunch, great conversation, and a good many laughs along the way. Then, my wife and I had three of our five grandchildren over to spend the night. The girls were watching The Pacifier in one room and I thought it was time for the grandson to watch TRON; especially since I am taking him to see TRON: Legacy this afternoon.

It is things like this that take good days and make them into great days!

It is also the reason why there was no Something On A Sunday posted yesterday. So, in my attempt to keep 'with the program', here is yesterday's Something On A Sunday.

Manitou Springs, Colorado 02.05.10

I could live there. I realize as often as I make a statement like 'I could live there' or 'If I lived in Central Florida...', that is could lead someone to think that I am not content where I am. But I am! I love where I am, yet, I have always had a sense of wanderlust about me.

Something On A Sunday

Sunset Inn - Lake Junaluska NC 08.14.10

The Wall

For those of you who visit here often or follow me on Facebook, you will know that I recently took a trip to St. Louis with my son. The event that prompted the trip was the Roger Waters Wall Tour 2010. But what was so much more important to me was the ability to spend a good deal of uninterrupted time with my son. You see, the last time we were able to be together for any length of time without family, work commitments, war, and so forth, was 1994. It was his graduation trip to Walt Disney World in June of that year. A great time, despite it raining every day. Which isn't so bad in and of itself, but we were camping at Fort Wilderness - Spanish Moss Trail.

I wanted to post this particular photograph from show because it summed up so many things from those 48 hours and why they are special to my memories.

My son served in Iraq. He served in other places too - places he can not or will not talk about. But, he came home! You see, preceding this images were stills and video projected on The Wall of families being reunited when the warrior comes home. My son reach over, clutched my hand, and said, "Dad, we had that moment didn't we."

It took me a moment, but I said, "Yes, we did son."

I was crying.

I am very proud of my son!

And I am so very thankful that God brought my boy back home!