Category Archives: Travel

Arizona Day 4

Jesse and I woke up in Coolidge, Arizona and made our way to a local diner for breakfast. This place was certainly McCain Country.

We sat at the breakfast counter and listened to a couple locals complain about the governor for “being nice” to Obama. They agreed that the governor was not going to be re-elected and what made her near criminal offense even more difficult to fathom – “And she’s even a Republican!”

As I sat down at the breakfast counter I noticed that staring back at us was an NRA poster. Next to the NRA poster was a poster of John Wayne in front of an American flag with the line:

“Tell me again, why the hell do I have to dial “1” for English.”

Although I wasn’t going to order a side dish of prejudice with a sprinkling of racism with my breakfast, I got it any way.

Next to the poster of John Wayne was a poster for a fundraiser that was related to Easter. The fundraiser was a raffle. The winner of the raffle won a Glock 9mm.

I guess that makes sense, if you recall John 23:

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again, packing heat, perhaps a Glock 9mm.”

There was also some terrible artwork for sale in this joint.


Arizona Day 4
I don’t know what is more confusing. The lighthouse, the clock or the reference to the comic stylings of Larry the Cable Guy.

Arizona Day 4
Tag’s Cafe

Arizona Day 4
Tag’s Cafe

Arizona Day 4
Tag’s Cafe

Arizona Day 4
The owners of this establishment did not like me taking pictures of their building.

Arizona Day 4
It is probably for the best that this game has been lost to the ages. It would be just one more game that I would dominate.

Arizona Day 4
Did you get a picture of a cactus?

Arizona Day 4
Did you get a black and white picture of a cactus? Okay, nobody asked that question.

Arizona Day 4
Cliche picture of a guy next to a tall cactus.

Arizona Day 4
Hohokam ruins.

Arizona Day 4
Jesse getting his learn on.

Arizona Day 4
The Big House, not the one in Ann Arbor.

Arizona Day 4
More mud ruins.

Arizona Day 4
More ruins.

Arizona Day 4
Jesse all tuckered out from a big day of looking at Hohokam ruins.

It should be noted that despite having a culture that runs contrary to my value system, Tag’s Cafe was easily the best meal I had my entire time in Arizona. Sorry Del Taco.

Arizona Day 3 – Part A

Some pictures from Day 3 in Arizona.


Arizona Day 3
Peavy and Young

Arizona Day 3
The guy that I hope wins the #5 Starter Spot

Arizona Day 3
The new closer.

Arizona Day 3
Some Mariner

Arizona Day 3
Some Mariner

Arizona Day 3
Spring Training Home of the Cubs

Arizona Day 3
More Hohokam

Arizona Day 3
Image from the Road

Arizona Day 3
I’d never eaten at a Del Taco. I endorse it and its slogan of going “Bold or Going Home”.

Arizona Day 3
Prior

Arizona Day 3
This guy kicks us out of Hohokam.

Arizona Day 3
Lowell and Jesse with their purchases.

Arizona Day 3
A dead cactus.

Jesse and I spent the morning watching the Padres and Mariners practice. Then we picked up Lowell and Eric at the resort and went to the Cubs practice field. Plus we ate at a Del Taco. Then when went to the “mountain” that Jesse and I had visited on the previous day.

Arizona Day 1

As I sit here in Josh and Summer’s house waiting for Jesse to wake up, I might as well post a few pictures from yesterday.


Arizona Trip - Day 1
Jesse waiting for the flight to leave from Des Moines

Arizona Trip - Day 1
Denver

Arizona Trip - Day 1
Jesse in Denver

Arizona Trip - Day 1
Me in Denver

Arizona Trip - Day 1
Jesse on the people mover

Arizona Trip - Day 1
Organ Stop Pizza

Arizona Trip - Day 1
The organist

Arizona Trip - Day 1
The Dancing Cats

Arizona Trip - Day 1

There were a few good times to be had on Sunday. My head didn’t hurt nearly as bad as I feared it would after the two flights.

We had supper with Jesse’s family at Organ Stop Pizza. It is a pretty impressive place. They have built a giant organ their with a bunch other percussion instruments also controlled by the organ.

The organist played a lot of old standards and a medley from Phantom of the Opera. Not too bad at all.

The Future of Boone

When Sara and I went to Ottumwa I think we might of had a glimpse into Boone’s future if it becomes the proud home of a Juice Bar.

I should start out by pointing out that on our way to Ottumwa Sara got pulled over and issued a speeding ticket by the nicest State Patrolman. He even started out with a joke:

“What are you doing today, besides fast?”

Sara and I ended up in downtown Ottumwa. I snapped a couple of pictures of Boone’s Future. We actually went downtown so I could get a picture of the Adult Theater because Derrick did not believe me that it existed, but I found a couple other sweet things. For some reason Sara would not get out of the car and join me.


Ottumwa House
Right across the street from the Adult Theater – Strip Club!

Ottumwa House
The Salty Frog is located right next to the strip club. A couple of women came wandering out of The Salty Frog while I was nearby. They looked like the type of women that would come out of a bar called The Salty Frog.

Ottumwa House
So it goes… Adult Theater, Chinese Restaurant, Abandoned Store Front, Christian Community Outreach Center. Well played Ottumwa. Well played.

Ottumwa House
Jen described this picture as “The Buddy Jesus”.

Ottumwa House
Cinema X. They lose points for the name. They might as well call it Cinema Generic.

Ottumwa House
Sara’s View

Ottumwa House
Apparently such a landmark that they built a parking ramp around it.

Ottumwa House
A better look at the parking ramp.

Ottumwa House
I might as well end with an Arty Picture.

I’m sure I will be returning to Ottumwa again in the next few weeks. Hopefully, I will get to take in even more of its majesty.

Incidentally, I will be asking some of you to come to Ottumwa with me to help Jen work on her Uncle’s house. You have been forewarned. Unless I already asked you. Then you already know about this project.

If you need more than just an altruistic motivation to get you to help out, Ottumwa has a Breadeaux Pizza. Mmmm… Breadeaux Pizza.

St. Francis Xavier Basilica

After we left the Field of Dreams on Sunday, we visited the St. Francis Xavier Basilica. It is one of only 53 Basilicas in the United States.


Field of Dreams Road Trip
Random Flower

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Spires

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Spires

Field of Dreams Road Trip
The Church

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Altar

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Stained Glass Window

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Sanctuary

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Spire

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Willy

Field of Dreams Road Trip

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Jay

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Dessert in Jesup

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Traditional Road Trip Photo

The height of each spire is 212 feet.

The term Basilica is a Greek derivation from “Basileus” meaning a royal or kingly building. In the day of the pagan Roman Empire, most cities had a large building of special architectural design to accommodate large audiences for orators of the day. They were called basilicas. In her earlier centuries, the Catholic church conferred this title on churches of unusual architectural and spiritual significance. Their number is small. Some hold the title by a special Papal edict as is the case of the Dyersville Basilica.

The Basilica is often referred to as the Pope’s church for his use in the event he should ever visit the area. There are Major and Minor Basilicas. The Major Basilicas of which there exist only five, are all in Rome, the best known being St. Peter’s. The Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis was the first church in the United States to be raised to the rank of a Minor Basilica in 1926.

St. Francis Xavier was the twelfth church in the country so honored. It is unique in that it is one of three in a rural area; all the others are in metropolitan areas.

There are now 53 basilicas in the United States. St. Francis Xavier Basilica is one of the finest examples of the true medieval Gothic architecture. Its graceful and pleasing lines are reminiscent of some of the outstanding Gothic cathedrals in Europe.

-Basilica Pamphlet

Field of Dreams

Jay, Willy and I made a little trip to the Field of Dreams on Sunday. Have a look.


Field of Dreams Road Trip
Lunch

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Independence, Iowa

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Field of Dreams House

Field of Dreams Road Trip
The Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Jay

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Coming out of the corn field.

Field of Dreams Road Trip
The Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Rounding 2nd

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Going for Three

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Wily and his Camera Phone

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Souvenir Shop

Field of Dreams Road Trip
The line between the ghost world and the real world.

Field of Dreams Road Trip
1st Base

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Willy sunning himself on the bleachers.

Field of Dreams Road Trip
This is actually what Jay looks like when he watches baseball.

Field of Dreams Road Trip
Enjoying the game.

Field of Dreams Road Trip
“I love this guy.”

Field of Dreams Road Trip
The remnants of when the Field of Dreams was owned by two feuding families.

I had never been there before. I think I got much more out of the experience than Willy and Jay. I only wish I had brought a glove and a ball.

Back to Civilization

After desecrating the Lincoln statue, I had to make amends by visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Lincoln’s Tomb. This we did on our return trip to civilization.


Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Traditional Road Trip Photo

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Waffle House Turtle

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Springfield

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
The Lincoln Family

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Booth

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lincoln Portrait

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Generals

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Douglass

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
White House

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
“War is old men talking and young men dying…”

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
I don’t really know this guy.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Old State Capitol (Where Obama announced his run for the White House.)

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Teresa

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Presidential Library

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Presidential Museum

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Statue

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lincoln’s Tomb

Kentucky Vacation - 2008

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lincoln’s Final Resting Place

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Inside Lincoln’s Tomb

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Inside Lincoln’s Tomb

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lincoln’s Tomb

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lincoln’s Tomb

Visiting Springfield was an incredible experience. I highly recommend it to anybody that can make it there. You don’t even have to be a history nerd.

Kentucky – Day 3

Sunday of the Kentucky trip consisted of going to a Southern Baptist church service and visiting Ernie’s pond.


Kentucky Vacation - 2008
What 1500 bucks buys in Kentucky.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
President Lincoln

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Church Sign

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Church Bus

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Sculpture

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Sculpture

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Teresa and Ernie

Kentucky Vacation - 2008

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Home of some great fudge.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Kentucky Dam

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Crane


Lunch


Ernie

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Desecration

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Unofficial Southerner

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Citizen of Ernie’s Pond

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie’s Pond

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Cat Tails

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Berries

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie’s Sister

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie’s Tractor

All that was left to do was to head back to civilization.

Down South – Day 2

On Saturday we visited a tobacco farm, went to Newson’s (home of the famous hot dog sauce), visited Paducah and then ate at Lambert’s. The impetus for this trip was the PostSecret display at the Paducah Art Gallery. The display was certainly worth the trip.


Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Teresa and Ernie

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Tobacco Barn

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie in the Tobacco Barn

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Tobacco Farm

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Tobacco Fields

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Tobacco Farmer

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie and Teresa

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Tobacco Field

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Hanging out with Tobacco

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Teresa taking a picture with the camera phone.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie showing some tobacco tools.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
I couldn’t stop thinking about tomacco the whole time I was there.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
The Gravity Pull Hill

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
The Gravity Pull Hill Mailbox

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Newsom’s

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Newsom’s (Also home of some tasty ham)

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Some Peaches

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Kentucky Prison Farm

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Barges

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Taking Some Pictures

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
The Art Gallery


Camera Phone Picture

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Ernie

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lambert’s

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
90 Minute Wait at Lambert’s

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Y’all is not a word.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Check out the size of that ham!

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Very annoying detour.

There was a 90 minute wait at Lambert’s and it was well worth the wait. If you are ever in Sikeston, Missouri do yourself a favor and stop there and eat. It is incredible.

The South – Day 1

Friday was day 1 of my odyssey to the South. I took a few pictures. Here are some of them.


Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Lunch

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman II Astronaut Costume

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman Museum

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Teresa

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Classic Family Portrait

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Metropolis, Illinois

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman Statue

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman Statue and Teresa

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman Statue

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Superman

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Reflection

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Metropolis

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
I like big statues.

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Small Baptist Chapel

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Knuckles on Praying Hands

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Cross from Southern Baptist Church

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Whitehaven

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Whitehaven Windows

Kentucky Vacation - 2008
Kentucky Dam

Kentucky Vacation - 2008

Day 1 of the trip ended with a meal prepared by Ernie that included the largest potato I have ever seen (to the best of my knowledge, not grown near a nuclear power plant) and some tasty pork steak.

That night we loaded back up into the car and toured Ernie’s town of Kuttawa and the nearby town of Eddyville. We experienced a gravity pull hill and then drove around a maximum security prison.

It was a good first day.