Category Archives: Life

Stupid Fleet Foot

Hitting up the backlog again. Here are a few more pictures from the Caves Road Trip. These are from Wapsipinicon State Park:


Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

Wapsipinicon State Park

These aren’t the caves we headed out to see, but we still hit them hard. Nothing like Bonus Cave Action.

There is a legend about how the Wapsipinicon River got is name. It goes a little something like this (according to the Buchanan County Historical Society):

A beautiful Indian maiden named Wapsi who once lived in a village near present-day Quasqueton. In a neighboring village lived Pinicon, son of an Indian chief and the ardent lover of the gentle Wapsi. On the eve of their wedding day, the two lovers were canoeing near Wapsi’s village when the jealous Fleet Foot, a former suitor of the Indian girl, drove an arrow into Pinicon’s heart. As wapsi sprang to the aid of Pinicon the canoe overturned and the two lovers sank beneath the water of the swiftly flowing river. In commemoration of this tragic event the sorrowing Indians combined the names of the two lovers and called the stream Wapsipinicon.

While it is a great story and reminds one of the story of the Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction. Unfortunately, it probably isn’t true. The Wapsipinicon is most likely named for the wild artichokes that grow on its banks.

While artichokes aren’t romantic, even though there is such a thing as artichoke hearts, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that Brandi Carlile’s new album came out last Friday:

A love song was playing on the radio
It made me kind of sad because it made me think of you
And I wonder how you’re doing but I wish I didn’t care
Because I gave you all I had and got the worst of you

If you haven’t picked it up, you aren’t doing the way you listen to music right.

Manos: The Restaurant of Fate

Way back in July Willy, Jay, and I went on a road tip to the Maquoketa Caves State Park. These are not pictures of that park, but pictures taken randomly on the trip to and fro the park:


I just have to say, my hat is off to the Anamosa Fire Department. As far as I know, the Boone Fire Department has never locked horns with a dragon.

Also, I very badly want to eat at this Bluff Lake Restaurant. We drove by it and it looks amazing. Anybody wants to go on a 3 hour (1 way) road trip, let me know.

I Left You by the House of Fun

I went up to Minnesota for the Super Bowl. Well, not really for the Super Bowl, but more for the activities surrounding the Super Bowl. I can’t afford a ticket to the Super Bowl. I work at the Computer Mine, not Goldman Sachs or some other place populated by white collar criminals.

I thought I’d share a few pictures of Nora from the weekend:


Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

Nora - Super Bowl Weekend - 2018

She has the strange quality of getting cuter every time I see her.

I did experience a strange bit of luck on the way back from Minnesota on Monday morning. But the story starts several weeks back.

In early January I put my car in the ditch for the first time in my life. I was running late for my shift at the Computer Mine and was driving a little too fast and hit a slippery spot of road and that was all she wrote. At the time, I thought this was karma catching up to me for years of driving by cars in the ditch and pointing and laughing, but maybe that wasn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, rather than being punished, I was being warned.

You see, ever since I put my car in the ditch, I’ve been driving slower in wintry conditions. Monday morning, I-35 was just such a set of conditions.

I left Burnsville and heading back to the Cyclone State at about 8:30 or 9 AM or so. The first hour or so out of the Twin Cities the roads weren’t bad and there wasn’t any weather to talk about. I was making good time and I figured that I’d make it back to Ames to starting swinging my pick by about 11:30 or so.

Then when I hit Iowa, the weather started to get a little sketch. The road was still in decent shape, but white out conditions would hit every few minutes. I stopped at the rest area in Dows to drain my bladder and grab a road trippers lunch. Gas station pizza.

I hit the road and the conditions got worse and worse. Due to the white out conditions I slowed way down. Soon I became the slowest car on the road.

When I hit the Story City area the roads got way worse. I was actually beginning to fantasize about not going to the mine at all. Just blowing by and going home. Calling it a day before my day even started.

Then I got to the 13th street exit in Ames. The roads got way worse. Then there was a complete white out. I slowed down to about 15 miles per hour. When I came out of the white out, I saw a scene that looked like the zombie apocalypse. There was about 20 cars in the ditches or the shoulder or facing the wrong way or clearly damaged and driving backwards on the shoulder. There was enough of an opening in the carnage that I was able to skate through and continue on to work.

Once there I saw news stories that the area I had skated through had went from 20 cars to a massive 70 car pile up.

Here is a screen capture from the DOT Camera:


Here is the video (you have to be on the website to watch the video):


The video starts about 5 minutes after I went through this area. You can’t quite make out where the beginning of this pileup starts.

I take from this, that I was very glad that put my car in the ditch a few weeks ago, because my Monday could have ended up being really bad.

Algona is an Anagram for Analog

Still hammering away at that back log. Here are a few pictures from my trip to Algona with Joe.


Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

West Bend, Iowa

We went to Algona so Joe could pick up a van to server as a distribution center for his cannabis oil business. The trip didn’t work out. We didn’t come home with the van. However, I got to meet Joe’s dad, which was a fascinating experience. Plus we swung through West Bend to see the Grotto of the Redemption. Then to cap it off, we supped at Tom Thumb’s in Fort Dodge.

All in all, it was a great day at sea!

Dignity, Always Dignity

Getting back to the backlog, here are some pictures on the way home from my trip to South Dakota with my Mom:


Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

Dignity Statue

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

The Corn Palace

Hungry Dog

Hungry Dog

Park in Correctionville

The stops included DIGNITY OF EARTH & SKY, The Corn Palace, and the Hungry Dog for lunch. I reiterate my love of The Hungry Dog!

I didn’t know anything about DIGNITY OF EARTH & SKY before the trip. It was just something we came across on the trip. It overlooks the Missouri River near Chamberlain, South Dakota. It is 50 foot high and I love it.

It also manages to be way less creepy than the Big Jesus statue in Sioux City.

Still probably about 4 or 5 more blog posts coming about this trip!

2-10-08

The following pictures were in the folder 2-10-08:


2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

2-10-08

The tin was made by Sara. It was product from her Etsy store. You may have noticed some of her tins around my house as decorations.

The painted fish bowl was a Christmas present from Becca. It was one of my favorite Christmas Presents I’ve ever received. Her design was based off of my 4 FLOWERS image.

The tragic part of this story is that I used the bowl as my loose change jar. When it was full I took it to the bank and it got broke. I don’t know that I’ve ever fully recovered. Hopefully some day I will get a replacement for it. Perhaps it will come the same day I get my replacement for my Monica Henning painting that was also tragically destroyed in a freak dog toy accident.

The last image is something I won at a Christmas Work Party. I sold it to a co-worker for $20.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I did put my car in the ditch on Wednesday. It was the first time in my life I’ve put my car in the ditch… well during winter. (I’m sure many of you remember the skunk family story that lead to my relenting and agreeing to get cell phones.)

I need to point out (because of people like Amber of Youth Group fame) that I was not taking pictures (like I was in 2 of the pictures above) while I was driving. It just happened. Not by best moment.

One of my best moments was being able to restore 3 old timey blogs by adding these old timey photos to the Photograpy 139 Gallery:

EVEN WHEN YOU WIN
PRETTIEST PRESENT
ANGRY BRAD’S DESIGNS

On next Saturday’s walk down memory lane, we will have another look at some Little White Lye Soap pictures.

The Selfie Project – Denouement

It is over! The Selfie Project is over! But we should have a couple last looks at all that was “accomplished”!

Here are my favorite pictures from December:


December 2, 2017
December 2

December 4, 2017
December 4

December 6, 2017
December 6

December 7, 2017
December 7

December 9, 2017
December 9

December 11, 2017
December 11

December 12, 2017
December 12

December 13, 2017
December 13

December 16, 2017
December 16

December 17, 2017
December 17

December 18, 2017
December 18

December 20, 2017
December 20

December 21, 2017
December 21

December 22, 2017
December 22

December 23, 2017
December 23

December 24, 2017
December 24

December 28, 2017
December 28

December 29, 2017
December 29

December 30, 2017
December 30

January 1, 2018
January 1

Here is a photomosaic of the December 31 selfie:


Selfie Project - Mosaic

This photomosaic consists of 3000 tiles. 1 images is used a maximum of 10 times. If you would like to see the image at full resolution, click on the link below to download:

FULL RESOLUTION PHOTO MOSAIC

I also made a video featuring all 367 images. You can watch it below:



Of course, if you subscribe to this blog via email or RSS Feed, you will have to physically go to this blog entry to view the video!

It was a good project and while at least Michelle is sad to see it go, it is time to put it to bed. Maybe I’ll bring it back in 2019.

Refreshed from Time to Time with the Blood of Patriots and Tyrants

Thought I would share a few cruddy cell phone pictures from my recent trip to Memphis with Russell and Jesse to watch Iowa State’s 21-20 beatdown of Memphis in the Liberty Bowl:


Liberty Bowl Road Trip
You know you’re in Memphis when you walk into a hotel lobby and there is a musician setting up shop.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Beale Street

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Greetings from Memphis!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Beale Street

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Supper!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Delicious Chicken and Waffles #wafflelife

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
I want this Sam Cooke table.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
The King

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
The King’s Final Resting Place

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
In front of the gates at Graceland

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
First time in Mississippi.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Amazing Waffle House Experience. Waitress told us that she loved our “Northern Accents”. #wafflelife

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
We will be sending a very nice letter to Waffle House about this amazing waitress!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Back to Tennessee.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
This many people gathered to watch ducks walk from an elevator to a fountain. To John Philip Sousa.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Some college football fanbases don’t have any problems filling a baseball stadium.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
The Memphis Redbirds play in a beautiful stadium.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Post pep rally fireworks.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Selfie Time!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Cozy Corner is a big recommend. Their barbecue spaghetti, not so much.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Delicious, delicious ribs!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
With the owner. Teenage Cyclone fan for the photobomb!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
The National Civil Rights Museum located where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Watched the Iowa State basketball debacle here. These musicians were solid, but made the night slightly uncomfortable.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
More Beale Street.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Apparently Iowa State fans like their Busch Light.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Even More Beale Street.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Admittedly, not my best work. #wafflelife

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
ISUCFVMB

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Sea of Cardinal and Gold

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Cyclones!!!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Dig those sweet chrome helmets!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
This flyover by a FedEx 747 was both slow and scary.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Weirdest halftime show ever? The Isley Brothers and other stuff.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Victory Formation!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Sing the alma mater!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Victory Selfie!

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Jumbotron? Try minitron.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
I’ll be strolling into church some Sunday with this jacket.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
21-20* Should’ve been 28-20, but refs aren’t perfect.

Liberty Bowl Road Trip
Leave these guys alone for a moment and they are staring at their phones.

There are plenty of real camera pictures that will be released eventually, but thought I’d get these out early. I didn’t take the real camera into the Liberty Bowl. A myriad of reasons, but in the end, you just need to know that it didn’t work out.

Memphis’ stadium is a little dumpy. It isn’t a complete dump, like where Kansas and Missouri play. But it isn’t nice like where Kansas State or Iowa or of course like Jack Trice.

I have to commend Russell. He survived almost 3 full days with me and Jesse. That isn’t an easy feat for most people. He is horrified that I photograph my food, but he is going to have to learn. That is how Bennetts roll. It is genetic. I swear it!

To surmise, it was a great trip that ended with a Cyclone victory! I’m already making plans for next year’s bowl game trip. Who wants in?