2013 Chevy Malibou

I was on a business trip last week, spent a few days at The Chateau Branson, MO.  I made the tripacross Missouri in a rented Chevy Malibou.  And decided to take a "glamour shot" of it. Taken about 8:30pm, nearly dark... 

Overall, I'd say the Malibou did great, but it didn't really win me over.  I considered the Malibou the last time I was buying a car (2008),but the styling has changed quite a bit since then.  Just not my idea of ideal.   But it drove fine, I really can't complain.

I rented (as usual) from the local Enterprise place.  They do a good job overall.  Good price (no airport surcharges), the folk are usually really nice.  Never had any real problems.

Sunset, Table Rock Lake

 

I'm just home from a business trip to Table Rock Lake, near Branson, MO.  I managed to get away for a little bit one evening toenjoy a bit iof the surroundings.  Including this rather nice sunset over the lake.  One of several images taken with my iPhone camera.  I posted one direct to facebook yesterday...

Tell Me Why?

 

Taken on the wooded walk through the grounds at Fallingwater,Frank Lloyd Wright's Western Pennsylvania masterpiece.  Taken somewhere near the Bird's Eye View.  It was late afternoon (~4pm) on a very sunny day, very contrasty.  But I liked the views of the deep green leaves against the dark trunks. 

 

Here's another attempt, but I don't like this one as much:

 

 

Sweet Moses!

One of the fun stops in our July visit to Cleveland was Sweet Moses.   Just over a mile from Sharon & Rick's place, but we drove down, as it was shortly before closing when the mood struck.  Just before 11pm on a Sunday niight and the place was PACKED!!

But worth it!

This image is handheld, braced against a lightpole or something....  Pretty crisp,huh?

Halls Of Fame

During last month's "Rust Belt Tour",we made excursions to the RockAnd Roll Hall Of Fame and the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.  [yes, I am that far behind on photo processing].

I'll highly recommend both!  We spent over 1/2 a day at each, and could've spent much longer.  I didn't take a lot of inside photos, as I was too busy being a tourist!  (you're welcome). 

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is in downtown Cleveland, on the Lake Erie waterfront.  Very cool architecture:

 That's my wife and my Sister-In-Law above.  It was trying to rain.  Heading in, I was a bit concerned thatit seemed a bit.... well...  small.  But not to worry, it is jam packed with stuff!  Including the special Rolling Stones exhibit!

 

 

A coupleof days later, we made the short trip to Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Fortunately, one of the first things you see is a short video explaining "why Canton?".  Which is good,because my son had asked me that very question during the drive.  I won't spoil it by disclosing the answer....

As it worked out, we were at the Pro Football HOF about 10 days before the 2013 induction ceremony.  So there was a bit of a buzz about the place. And lots and lots of displays, interactive and static. 

 

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Again, I highly recommend both HOFs, if you're remotely interested in Rock Music or NFL Football.  Of course, I'm not "remotely" interested, I'm massively interested!!  As is my son.  I'm pretty sure my wife enjoyed them both,too...

 

Dark and Abstract

But still Cleveland...

Havin' some fun with intentional camera movement, haven't done that in a while...  My son really liked the top one.

 

But is it art??  And will it blend?

Look Out Cleveland...

I'm typically behind on processing photos...   Here's a couple from our recent Rust-Belt vacation. Cleveland and; Pittsburgh.  This is the Cleveland skyline, as seen from the roof of Sharon and Rick's place.  A litte bit before sunset:

 

And a few hours after dark:

 

A large panorama is here.

I had only been to Cleveland a few times in the past, and only on business.  We had a really nice visit,and got a great feel for the city.  Thanks to S&R for the hospitality!

Post tilte is from the song by The band... 

Travellin' Light

 

Just home from a week on the road, the 2013 Rust Belt Tour!  Just under 1,800 miles in 8 days.  Besides seeing some of my wife's family (Cleveland), and mine (Pittsburgh) we saw:

 

• The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH
• The Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton,OH
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Weltzheimer/Johnson House in Oberlin, OH
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Mill Run,PA

A great trip, but nice to be home.  I'll probably be posting more images friom the trip over the next few days, I have a bunch to sort through, hopefully some are decent.

 

The title is from a J.J. Cale song...

 

You Gotta Move!

It is Vacation Bible School week at our Church.  For the past few years, the praise band has participated, which is always fun.  We're not doing any of the "official" songs this year, but are doing fun / silly songs during the rotations.  It's been a fun change of pace, although I may get tired of the ever popular "The Hippo Song" before the week's out!

 

Unfortunately, we're without a guitar player this week, but the kids don't seem to mind....

 

A couple of photos from Monday night:

 

Stickers On Instruments

So, I was reading the Talkbass forums yesterday,a nd came across a thread titled "Stickers on Instruments."  Only a mederately interesting thread, but got me thinking.  Non of my current basses have stickers, and I don't see myself ever adding any.  But my first bass had a sticker on it:

 

Pretty subtle, and I think it fits in the overall scheme of a beat-up, no-brand bass.  I don't rememebr putting it on there, but I alsodon't remember painting the pickguard...  Heck that was ~35 years ago.

 

Anyway, having dug up the pictures to remind myself, I figured I'd post 'em here.

Yee ha!

 

 

 

I'm sure I've posted about this bass before.  This is my first bass, besides a loaner from my brother.  Bought from a pawn shop in Pittsburgh (but new).  After about 1.5 years I upgraded, and gave (sold?) this one to a friend.  A few years ago, he gave it back.  It is pretty much unplayable, but is a great reminder of those "Glory Days".

Airplane Park

Technically, it is Robert Stille Park.  Or at least Edwardsville Township Park.  But everybody knows it as Airplane Park.  'Cause, it has an airplane!  (duh)... 

 

 

Plaque on the base:

For those who served their country in operation Desert Storm and to all past and future campaigns of our nation’s military personnel
Dedicated June 30, 1991

- - -

 

And more info from the base:LTV A-7A CORSAIR II On May 17, 1963 the U.S. Navy initiated a design competition for a light attack aircraft (VAL) which could replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Ling-Temco-Vought was named winner of the competition on February 11, 1964. A key factor in this company’s successful bid was the use of the F-8 Crusader design with many significant differences, the most telling being the shortened fuselage, less sweptback wings and no provision for varying the wing incidence. Over the production life of the aircraft, it has been internally modified and assigned dash numbers to reflect these changes. The A-7 was used extensively in the Viet Nam Conflict and, toward the end of the war, provided the bulk of the Navy’s light attack effort flown from carriers. The A-7 completed its service with the Navy on Operation “Desert Storm”. This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida

Summer Sunset

Another from yesterday's trip to Watershed Nature Center.  Taken 6-7 minutes after the Heron photo posted earlier today. 

For The Birds...

I came across the fellow during yesterday evening's walk at Watershed Nature Center.  I'm no ornithologist, but I beleive it is a Great Blue Heron.  We stared at each other for 10-15 seconds, then it flew off.  Not a great capture, but neither the most patient subject.  Probably mad that I'd interrupted the search for dinner...

I tried to catch it flying away, but the low light (it was ~8:30 pm) was too much for my camera....  Between the auto-focus searching and 1/30th sec exposure (at ISO 3200):

Sunset, Watershed Nature Center

I made it up to WNC this evening, my first visit in several months. Pretty dark and "dusky", with storms passing out of the area, but cleared just enough for some prtty colors as the sun was setting.

Happy Independence Day!

 

Celebrating the adoption of the Declaration Of Independence, 7/4/1776.  A mere 237 years ago...

 

Happy Birthday USA!!