A few months back I traveled to downtown Des Moines to take some ARCHITECTURE pictures for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. This collection of images didn’t make the cut.
There are plenty more pictures left to share from this downtown Des Moines walkabout!
The day after I visited Jefferson, I actually headed back. This time with Teresa. I wanted to go up in the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower. I thought I had been up in the belltower before, but after I got up there it didn’t ring any bells (see what I did there) so I’m pretty sure this was a first for me.
Here are some pictures:
A couple of facts about the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower.
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower, located on the southwest corner of the courtyard, was given to the people of Jefferson and Greene County in accordance with the wills of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Mahanay. The tower is 168 ft. 2 inches high, and it is illuminated by 6 floodlights.
The glass enclosed observation deck at 120 ft. is accessed by an elevator and is fully handicap accessible. At the 2017 Bell Tower Festival, it was named the Paul Nally Observation Deck.
Beginning in 1966, fourteen bells, cast at the world famous Petit & Fritsen bell foundry in Holland in 1966, chimed on the hour, quarter, and half-hour. The electronic carillon bells were played from a manual keyboard. Because of the limited amount of music that could be played with only 14 bells, recorded concerts played two songs after each hour for many years.
The total cost of the tower and the fourteen bells dedicated on Sunday, October 16, 1966 was approximately $350,000.
I have another collection of pictures from this trip left to share.
Day 7 in New Orleans was supposed to be relatively short. Tony and I had a 10:20 flight. So we would leave for the airport a little after 8. We would grab a connecting flight in Denver and be back in the Cyclone State by 3:30. But the best laid plans of mice and men…
Here are the pictures from Day 7. The final day.
About the time I was going to order an Uber we got a message from Southwest Airlines. Our flight had been delayed until noon! We decided to delay our trip to the airport until 10. That gave me time to go down and try to see the famous Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. I didn’t get to see it because you have to pay for a tour, which is fine, but the tour lasted too long for me to take it. Anyways, saw this sticker. Enjoyed it.
On the way to the airport we got a text from Southwest that our flight had been moved back to its original flight time. Meaning that we missed our flight. Southwest was less than helpful. They told me to run and I might make the flight. Yeah, this was the security line. While waiting in it (this is TSA Pre-Check) Southwest sent me a message that my flight had left. Thanks!
I had to go back and get booked on a flight that wouldn’t leave until after 6. The fortunate thing for me was that they had checked my bags in. So I could go into the airport. They hadn’t checked Tony’s bag in, so he couldn’t go into the airport until 4 hours before the flight.
Not a fan of Southwest.
Another look at the security lines. This is the one that isn’t TSA Pre-Check.
Waited with Tony for a bit before going in.
Thanks airport.
NASA display.
Southerners love their Moon Pies!
Airport art.
Southerners love their Moon Pies!
Southerners love their moon pies!
Not in the mood for this toy at this time.
No lies detected.
For the Swifties that also love crawdads!
I know a big fan of the Golden Girls.
Southerners love their moon pies.
Finally in the air!
Bellisimo!
Landed in the home of Toasted Ravioli!
This sign made me so happy!
Goodbye Land of Toasted Ravioli.
Tony and Shannon dropped me off at my doorstep a little after midnight. It was a long, boring day. It was good to be home. 2 days later I would be welcoming Bokeh into my life and this trip feels like such a distant memory, even though it was only a month ago.
At some point I’ll begin sharing the pictures I took of New Orleans with the real camera!
Here is the final collection of images from the day I spent with Bill. This collection begins as we left Union Station and then concludes at a collection of murals.
It was a good trip. I’ll have to get out and visit Bill again this year. Besides when Jesse and I had dinner with him back in March.
Before Carla and I went to the Clay County Fair, we took a quick spin around Lake Okoboji with Jason before he put away the boat for the winter. It is always a good time when you are on a boat.
Here are some pictures:
It was a truly great and always a great time cruising around the lake. Hope I get to do it again at some point this year too!
Here is another collection of street photography images I took while wondering the streets of Jefferson. A town with similar or lesser economic strengths of Boone, but somehow has a way better public art situation. Which isn’t saying much. There is a reason why I have the BOONE ART CENTER photo project. However, even if Boone had a good public art situation, Jefferson’s still would be pretty impressive.
Sad thing is, Boone has no shortage of talented artists. The guy who lives two houses down from me has more sculptures in his yard (that he makes and are sweet) than Boone has public art. Period.
Still more Jefferson pictures left to share from a second trip I took there, the next day. What can I say? I love me some A&W!
Time to share the cell phone pictures I took on Day 4 and Day 5 and Day 6 of my trip to New Orleans for the Big Meeting. I didn’t take many cell phone pictures on these days. Maybe not that many in general.
Day 4 is the worst day of the trip. It is over a 12 hour work day. And the last few hours is standing in the booth doing nothing because it is the “Big Meeting” Party”. So people flock to the booths that hand out free booze. We are not one of those. So nobody comes to our booth. Actually, now I think about it, that part is kind of amazing.
Here are pictures from Day 4:
I hope they find their fish!
I ate here for breakfast, but not on Day 4.
I like gumbo, but I prefer the version of this that references ice cream.
Getting ready to take on the day.
So Instagrammable!
The thing of nightmares.
I’d like a word with the designer.
It is almost like you are in New Orleans!
The convention center food court. More on this in a later post on my New Orleans food adventures.
Gina and I went down and had these made for Lowell and Leah.
I’m sure they get a ton of wear out of them.
On to Day 5. A sticker I enjoyed.
I took hardly any pictures on Day 5 that weren’t related to food I ate.
The statue in Lafayette Square is not of Lafayette. It is Henry Clay.
No lies detected.
Chicken & Daquiris. Pralines. Warm Boobies. That is Bourbon Street.
Day 6 – I also took hardly any pictures. And you are, like really pretty.
A Computer Mine competitor for people that don’t own adult computers.
They stole a few of our good chairs in Chicago.
The Big Meeting is over.
Now we wait for our crates.
Another Computer Mine competitor. Known for not wantING to give up their customer’s data.
Back at the hotel. This sign that explains what a fire alarm sounds like makes my head hurt.
Kim really wanted this picture taken.
Day 7. My final day in New Orleans. Tony and I had a 10:20 AM flight. We were going to be back in the Cyclone State by 4 PM. Sounds like an easy day.
More on that next Tuesday.
The Clay County Fair was the last town festival, farmer’s market, or fair I attended in 2023. Our Fridays are going to get a little change-up in the future. Probably more travel photography. Maybe I can finally start in on the Memphis pictures? Who knows what will happen, but it will be excited to see!
Here are the rest of the pictures from my trip to the Clay County Fair with Carla:
Pickle Pizza?
It was definitely a good trip. I hope that Carla and I get to go again this year!
Last September I ended up in Jefferson and I wandered around doing a little street photography of their beautiful, fascinating downtown area.
Have a look:
One more collection of images from this little jaunt to share.
Today is my mother-in-law Colleen’s birthday, so I need to wish her a happy birthday.
I hope your birthday is magical!
I didn’t take many phone pictures on Day 2 and Day 3 in New Orleans, so I’m combining them into one post. Day 2 is when the work begins on setting up for The Big Meeting. Day 3 involves a “training” session and then finishing off setup. But I had sometime to explore on those days.
Here are the pictures:
Then I took a walk up to Jackson Square to see if it was open. It wasn’t.
But got a nice view of the Saint Louis Cathedral.
Then I walked down the river walk and found this cool collection of love locks.
I would love to know this story.
Preach.
Tony and I got to the Convention Center while they were still putting the booth together.
This is by far and I mean by FAR the fastest internet we’ve ever had in a booth.
These snacks were delicious!
The booth put together.
Back at the hotel. I’m kind of a connoisseur of southern mayonnaise. This one has ALL the yolks.
One of my goals was to ride the trolley.
They stopped the trolley so this girl could take a graduation photo with it.
Inside trolley.
Pralines!
That night I had supper with Kim, Michelle, Diane and Gina. Afterwards I ended back up at Jackson Square.
This is the New Orleans Holocaust Memorial.
Final picture I took before going back to the hotel.
Day 3 starts with a 4 hour training session that feels like 8 hours.
Back to the Convention Center.
Got done early enough that I could see the inside of the Saint Louis Cathedral.
They took credit cards.
It is pretty in there.
The altar.
I didn’t take a horse and carriage ride. But I wish I had.
Best name for a restaurant. Ever!
The Rolling Stones played the Jazz Festival the night before.
Taking the trolley to the Garden District.
This guy openly boozed on the trolley. Was super friendly.
Nood Fountain in Audubon Park.
Back on Canal Street. Maybe my favorite graffiti ever.
Last cell phone picture of Day 3.
Still 4 more days of cell phone pictures left to share.
