St John's, NF, Canada

The first day of our journey started out pretty good. We had an 80 knot tail wind on our tail which caused us to land almost one hour ahead of schedule. The weather could not have been more perfect on the first day of our North Atlantic travels, probably the prettiest day I've seen in all my years coming up here. When I got to the hotel I asked for a room with a view and the friendly lady checking me in gave me this room...just look at the view. I had a good dinner at Velma's (NF version of local cooking) with Scotty Johnson, a beer with some other friends back at the hotel, and now it is off to bed to get read for another day. Angels BC!

Washington D. C. by night

Last night Bub's and I took the D. C. at night tour. We started at Union Station in an open top double decker bus. We past the Capital Building and several other monuments in route to the Jefferson Memorial. It was beautiful! The next stop was he Roosevelt Memorial, it was a different type of memorial but beautiful and meaningful none the less. When we arrived at the Lincoln Memorial it was really dark and the building was lit up and amazing! But the most beautiful site was of the Washington Monument when you looked at it while standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial. We ended our tour at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Our night ended with the subway breaking down and we ended up on a bus (which is another story). This trip has been wonderful, full of breath taking beauty and heart swelling pride.

Arlington

While I'm at my class this week in Washington, D.C. Bubbles is hitting the road and taking in all the sites. Today, first thing on her list was Arlington National Cemetery, Home of Heros. She wanted to go to section 60. Section 60 is set aside for all those who died in Iraq or Afghanistan. She found out that it is a Jewish custom to leave a stone on a grave to show that person is remember. She had a bag full of stones, about 250 of them. She came back to the hotel without any stones, but her eyes were full of tears. For some reason she was drawn to section 60, maybe to say thanks to all the fallen heros or maybe it was her motherly instinct to look after those that are the same age as our son. What ever it was, she came back to the hotel somewhat changed. In her words..."there, but for the grace of God, go I".

My friend Beau

This is my friend Beau. He came along our way as sort of a "empty nest" puppy when Alex graduated High School and went to the Air Force. He was suppose to be Bubbles puppy. As it has turned out he is my puppy. As a puppy he had trouble getting used to his new surroundings so he ended up sleeping on my side of the bed...now he thinks it's his bed. He likes setting in the front yard, guarding our house from the "evil" Blackbirds, cats and whatever else wonders around us. He is a gentle soul, we call him our "120 pound Tea Cup Shepard" because he thinks he is just as small as our other pet that past away about two years ago, Morgan. He has a good heart and a gentle soul and when we go for walks in the woods he never runs off, even though he could because I don't leash him up in the woods. He just walks down the path and then turns around as if to say "come on Dad" and then patiently waits for me to catch up. Bubbles says dogs choose one person to makeup with, I'm glad he chose me. My friend Beau.

Here's Your Sign!

Well, I've been living in Hurricane WV since, well for a long time, and this old underpass has been here since the 19 teens. For as long as I can remember when we would get a very heavy rain, like we did today, this underpass would flood...fast. Now maybe after the first few dozen vehicles got trapped by the flood water someone would put up a sign or pass the word that this place floods...fast and deep too. I know it flood, and just about everyone I know knows it flood. Well I guess someone forgot to pass the word or someone just thinks all the news reports of people getting stuck in high water is just bunk. Oh well...here's your sign!

River City Nights

On the way home from shopping Bub's and I decided to drive down thru St. Albans, WV on the way home. We came by the riverside park just as the sun was going down and decided to stop for a moment. The boaters were coming and going, some teenagers were setting on the walkway, and the ducks were everywhere. Bub's noticed this couple just enjoying the warm night air by the river. It really was a beautiful West Virginia sunset. I was reminded of a song mom used to sing..."Count your blessing, name them one by one..."

I'm a Luck Guy

This is me and my partner, best friend, soul mate, and wife. I traveled the world and found my love just up the street. We love our day trips and our long vacations. She keeps me going and keeps me focused. Our kids are grown now and we are hitting the roads, and maybe the

Grist Mill at Babcock State Park, WV

The recent rain has caused all the streams to have a magnificent flow which just adds to the photos. This was our, Bub's and Me, first trip to Babcock State Park and we fell in love with the natural beauty. We plan on taking a weekend trip here in fall when all the fal colors are out.

Angel Falls, WV

On our weekly day trip Bub's and I headed out for Babcock State Park in Fayette County WV. It is about a two hour drive and there is lots to see along the way. Angel Falls is just past Gauley Bridge and usually does not have nearly this much water running over it. However, this July was the coldest and possibably the wettest in history. The falls, and there are a lot of small ones, along Rte 60 were really flowing. I caught this shot with the sun peaking through the trees and feel lucky and blessed to live in such a beautiful state. I named this photo "The Blessing".