Mohave Desert

Several years ago I started the practice of taking the Halloween pumpkins out to the desert to dispose of them.  This year, having discovered Tannerite, we added a little twist. I loaded the pumpkins with 6 jars of Tannerite (that's 3 lbs) and pulled out my 1891/30 Mosin Nagant. It is a WWI/WWII era rifle from Russia that shoots a massive 7.62 x 54R round.  It kicks like a mule and didn't disappoint. Ty captured my most memorable shot beautifully with my iPhone.

I guess to keep things legit, I've got the throw up a urinal picture.  When you've finished blowing up pumpkins, you kind of feel like the world is your urinal.

Disneyland

Nuf said!

Excelsior Geyser, Yellowstone

This is an awesome place. If you've never made it to Yellowstone, it's worth adding to the bucket list. However, be prepared for some crowds during the peak tourist season.  The sulfur coming off the geyser will prepare you for the facilities. 

Bloomsbury, London

Terrific fish and chips in a pub right in the heart of it all.  It's only a few minutes from the British Museum and the galleries of Soho.  Next time I'll pass on the mushy peas . . . 

Thoroughly British labeling

(I'll save you the call to the Bishop . . . it's just vinegar)

Afton, Wyoming

Afton, Wyoming is a classic small town of the Rocky Mountain west.  It was one of the destinations along the LOTOJA route which we visited while driving support for Tate this year. We stopped for gas and a hot dog at Rulon's Burger Barn and had no idea were were on hallowed ground as far as the people of Afton were concerned.  The proprietor was none other than Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling (Sydney, Australia - 2000).  

Rulon became a national hero when he beat Aleksandr Karelin of Russia in the gold medal match.  Karelin completely dominated the sport: he had been undefeated in 13 years of international competition, and hadn't given up a single point in the 6 years of competition leading up to his match with Gardner in the finals. Nobody gave this Mormon farm-boy from Wyoming the slightest chance. They were practically passing out the gold medal to Karelin before the match began. Fortunately Rulon didn't worry about what the pundits were saying. Booyah!

I've got to be honest in saying the hot dog was only marginal.  Now days you don't see this style of urinal as often. It's a pity. Is there a porcelain shortage that nobody told me about?

A Big Reid iPhone shot of the picture on the wall:
Karelin vs. Gardner
I sill remember the match

Pikes Place Seattle Washington

For years I have watched my Dads passion go from a fun hobby to a straight up obsession, he cant hardly go to a restroom without snapping a few photos. While on our last family vacation in Paris he even did a google search of unique bathrooms before we left, because he didn't want to miss any. My family (Dad) has scoured the world looking for the most interesting bathroom. We have great pictures from Turkey, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Peru and all are unique in their own way. However, last weekend I came across one of the best bathrooms I've ever seen in my entire life and it was practically in my backyard: Pikes Place Seattle, Washington. As you may already know Pikes Place is famous for its seafood, and for being the birth place of Starbucks coffee. However, their bathroom is unlike anything I have ever seen before. To the untrained eye it looks like every other public restroom until further examination. The tiles on the bathroom floor are in the shape of the male and female chromosomes! XY for the men and XX for the women. As I stood infront of this bathroom, I realized how strange of a fascination this really was. I made Allison take several pictures of me even though she was dying from embarrassment. It was at that moment that I realize that I am my fathers Son! His love of public Loo's has worn off on me and I no longer feel shame or embarrassment for posing in front of a unusual WC! I hope you can appreciate this as much as we Litchfield's do! And remember that taking a camera into the bathroom is always a good idea because you never know what you will find. 

The British Museum, London

Hands down my favorite museum ever. Probably the single greatest collection of artifacts from the ancient world.  The urinals are decidedly modern.

British Museum Entrance

Winged Lion Statue - Ancient Assyria

Walls of Ancient Babylon

The Elgin Marbles

Portland Vase

Porland Vase 

Roman Mosaic

Mummified Cats

The Rosetta Stone

Photo Credit: Big Reid's iPhone.

The Subway, Southern Utah

We've hiked the Subway a number of times. These images were from 2005. It is without doubt the most amazing hike in Southern Utah: 10 miles that takes you from alpine meadows to slot canyons that you can touch with both hands outstretched. Parts can only be traversed by swimming and then there's the hike out: straight up.  Near the end of the hike we encountered a massive formation of petrified dinosaur tracks.

The urinal picture is a bit of a cheat.  Rob was posing for me, and taking credit for a large spring coming from the side of the canyon.

County Kerry, Ireland

Dingle 

We really felt like we'd arrived in Ireland once we got to Kerry.  It is laid back and beautiful.  The Dingle peninsula has many superlatives:  beautiful vistas, clean air, great seafood, and the highest rated pucker-factor for drivers in all of Ireland.  Not only are all the signs written in Gaelic, but there is the very real possibility of a cow or sheep walking into the road at any moment. This doesn't begin to describe the terror of passing a full-size tour bus driving 80 kph on the wrong side of a road only slightly wider than a goat path.

Killarney is equally beautiful with mountains and beautiful forests that are protected in the Killarney National Park.  Ireland has largely been deforested over the last 1000 years, so seeing how it once must have looked was amazing. I wish I had the nerve to ride a bike there.  The road from Kenmare to Killarney was awesome.

Irish heather

Dunbeg Fort: Iron Age ruins on the Dingle Peninsula

Buckey's Bar - Killarney

Killarney National Park 

Torc waterfalls, Killarney

Muckross House Gardens, Killarney

Colonial Williamsburg Gaol, Virginia

Fall Colors in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The cells are part of the original construction from 300 years ago during colonial times. These were the very walls use to confine the pirate crew of The Queen Anne's Revenge, serving under  Edward Teach (Blakbeard) in 1718. Of the 25 men captured in North Carolina, 9 were killed in battle including Teach, who was beheaded. The other 16  were incarcerated  in Williamberg with permanent iron fetters on their feet and hands. All the men save 2 were hanged on the gallows. 'The two survivors were Israel Hands (who was pardoned after testifying for the prosecution) and Samuel Odell (who was acquitted due to being coerced into service under Teach).
Three 'stairs to nowhere' actually were definitely an upgrade from the usual bucket most prisoners got. It was probably one of the few places in town with indoor facilities!  It's one of the most interesting toilets I've encountered.

Three stairs to nowhere

Adare, County Limerick, Ireland

When it says GENTS at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, it really means it. It is a very old hotel that catered to the wealthy that came out to the country for fox hunts. Very top-shelf. Adare is known as 'Ireland's prettiest village'. No argument here: beautiful cottages with immaculately thatched roofs and gardens.

I got to check flyfishing in Ireland off the bucket list and pet the largest dog I've ever seen in my life (and still not lose a hand).

River Maigue, County Limerick

Irish Wolf Hound - Dang!

Home at Bunraty Castle