<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Bob Seger – THROUGH THE EYES OF JEFFERSON</title> <atom:link href="https://eyesofjefferson.com/tag/bob-seger/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com</link> <description>Presidential site adventures as told by a bobble head</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:55:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">167670250</site> <item> <title>263: RUNNING EAGLE FALLS PROVIDED MY FIRST TASTE OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK</title> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com/263-running-eagle-falls-provided-my-first-taste-of-glacier-national-park/</link> <comments>https://eyesofjefferson.com/263-running-eagle-falls-provided-my-first-taste-of-glacier-national-park/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Watson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:42:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Big Sky Country]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Seger]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Browning Montana]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fort Peck Indian Reservation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Glacier National Park]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pi'tamaka]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Running Eagle Falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson bobble head]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Turn the Page]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Two Medicine Creek]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyesofjefferson.com/?p=19770</guid> <description><![CDATA[The sixth day of our trip began when my photographer’s alarm rang at 5:30am on Tuesday September 12, 2023. Even though it was still dark outside, I was anxious to hit the road and get my first glimpse of Big…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The sixth day of our trip began when my photographer’s alarm rang at 5:30am on Tuesday September 12, 2023. Even though it was still dark outside, I was anxious to hit the road and get my first glimpse of Big Sky Country. This was going to be my first-ever full day in the state of Montana, and I was excited. As my companions got ready to take on the day, I felt the anticipation rising inside my resin body. In my mind, I knew we would see some amazing scenery all the way to Glacier National Park, which was 500 miles away. Before we headed to the van, however, I heard Tom tell his wife our primary goal for the day was to get those hundreds of miles under our belts and make it to our hotel – which was the Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino in Browning, Montana. My photographer also mentioned that once we had arrived in Browning, that hotel would be our base camp for the following two days at Glacier National Park. That news made Vicki happy because it meant we didn’t have to pack and unpack for two entire days.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Once my companions had refilled their grocery supplies at a Sidney, Montana grocery store, the three of us set out on our journey westward towards Browning. Since we had such an incredibly long drive ahead of us, Tom took his turn behind the wheel of our Pacifica for half the trip. Thankfully his Siri GPS app was working well because navigation has never been one of Vicki’s strong suits, which is the primary reason she’s usually the driver during our long trips together.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The first 35 miles out of Sidney got us to U.S. Route 2 at Culbertson, Montana, which was the moment I first became stunned at what I saw – or should I say, what I didn’t see. While I had envisioned the entire state of Montana to be mountainous with one breathtaking view after another, I couldn’t have been more wrong. For over 450 miles, all I saw as I gazed through the passenger-side window was low rolling hills of harvested fields of wheat and wild grasses. Very few trees; not many houses; some cattle; but definitely no mountains. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">“On a long and lonesome highway, in eastern Montana. I listened to the engine moanin’ out its one-note song. And I thought about the mountains, I envisioned the night before. But soon my thoughts were wandering, when no mountains were in view. ‘Cuz when you’re riding endless hours, there’s not much else to do. And when you don’t feel much like riding, you just wish the drive was through. But there I was, on the road again. There I go, riding with Tom again. There I go, turn the page.”</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19774" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-WHEAT-FIELD.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Where were the Montana mountains under the big sky? Where were all the bison, black bear, and Sasquatch? During our ride across northern Montana, there were endless fields of wheat and wild grass as far as my painted eyes could see.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="800" height="520" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?resize=800%2C520&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19777" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?resize=300%2C195&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C666&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?resize=768%2C499&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONTANA-4.jpg?resize=1536%2C998&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Even though we weren’t east of Omaha, U.S. Route 2 across the state of Montana was exactly what Bob Seger had in mind when he sang the words “On a long and lonesome highway” on his Back in ’72 album’s song ‘Turn the Page’.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The boredom of the long ride was broken when we traversed through the southern part of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and then the northern section of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. And although we didn’t stop in either of the reservations, I was able to make a startling revelation when we drove through one of the small towns. As we passed the middle school in Poplar, Montana, which was located on the eastern half of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, I noticed the school’s mascot, or nickname, was “Indians”. I was shocked when I saw the wording ‘Poplar Indians’ displayed in bold maroon and gold lettering on the school’s informational sign near the driveway entrance at Route 2. After all, aren’t we in the era when Cleveland’s major league baseball team was forced to change their name from ‘Indians’ to ‘Guardians’ and the Washington NFL team went from ‘Redskins’ to ‘Commanders’? Even a high school in Port Huron, Michigan, located just 12 miles north of where we live, recently changed their nickname from ‘Big Reds’ to ‘Red Hawks’. Then it dawned on me – maybe it wasn’t the proud Native Americans who insisted on the name changes; but instead, that impulsive woke movement came from the minds of fat, pencil-pushing Caucasians who don’t want to be labeled as the racists they are.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">At roughly 3:15pm, the three of us finally arrived in the town of Browning, Montana, which was located in the heart of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. As we slowly made our way through the small town where a little over a thousand people call home, I was disheartened by what I saw. Not only did Browning seem old and worn, with its best days having passed long ago, but some of the streets were also overrun by a countless number of domestic dogs. Luckily for my companions and me, the Glacier Peaks Hotel, which was where we had reservations within a reservation, was the centerpiece of the small town. Our base camp for the next few days looked modern and well-kempt, which wasn’t a huge surprise as the hotel and connected casino were only a decade old.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I was with my photographer when he and Vicki went into the hotel’s lobby to register. Although they were informed their room wasn’t yet ready, the young woman at the reception desk mentioned a nearby place where we could go to kill some time. She flashed her beautiful smile and suggested the three of us head to the Two Medicine Entrance at Glacier National Park and make the short hike to see Running Eagle Falls. When Tom told the girl his “hiking days were over”, she laughed and said it was an easy walk along a flat trail. As a matter of fact, I laughed when I heard her tell my photographer the distance to the falls from the parking lot was about “the same distance from the hotel lobby to the front of the casino”, which was only about 100 yards.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Back in the van, the three of us headed west out of town and straight for the huge mountain range we could easily see on the distant horizon. It was the first moment on the trip where I saw mountains of any kind, and they looked majestically spectacular, even from 20 miles away. But with each passing mile, and the closer we got to Glacier National Park, the more my resin jaw opened in awe.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Shortly after we arrived at the Two Medicine Entrance to the park, Vicki drove the van west along 2 Medicine Road until we came to the parking area for the Running Eagle Falls trail. As Tom carefully placed me in the camera case for our short hike to the falls, I heard my photographer’s wife ask him: “Are you going to bring your hiking sticks? What about a bottle of water?” Tom looked at Vic and smiled: “This is just a walk in the park Kazansky. The girl at the hotel said the trail is flat and only a hundred yards long. I’ll be just fine.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Tom’s hiking days went from being over to back on again as we headed along the well-manicured trail. But five or six minutes later, I realized two things – the trail became more unstable, and Running Eagle Falls was a lot further away than my photographer was led to believe. I also think that was the moment when Tom realized his chapped and freshly powdered nether region hadn’t fully recovered from the previous day’s hike as well.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Several hundred yards into our walk in the park, we arrived at a clearing where we got our first glimpse of Running Eagle Falls. Then, just as my two companions attempted to get closer to Two Rivers Creek and its beautiful waterfall, an inconsiderate “dickwad” (Vicki’s word) from a busload of German tourists decided to set off his anti-bear airhorn, which startled my photographer’s wife half to death. I heard Tom shout to the guy, “Set that airhorn off again and you’ll get it rammed up your foreign ass”, but the oblivious moron either didn’t understand English or his ears were ringing too much to hear my photographer’s threat. Either way, we didn’t hear a peep from Ol’ Lugwig von Dickwad’s airhorn again.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The soothing sound of the water rushing over the Running Eagle Falls was definitely the highlight of the day thus far, even though the amount of water traversing the falls was low compared to the flow in the springtime. But as beautiful and tranquil as the falls were, it was the Native American history of the area that made the visit special. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Running Eagle, who was born Pi’tamaka, arrived at an area high above the same falls in front of me for a four-day fast to suffer, dream, pray, and find her medicine. When her vision was successful, she became the first female warrior of the Blackfoot Tribe. She was an amazing leader for her tribe and led many successful battles. But sometime after 1878, Running Eagle was killed by Flathead warriors during a raid on their territory, which was located on the other side of the Continental Divide. Running Eagle was brought back to the Upper Two Medicine Lake area by her tribe where her body was buried in a mountain tree overlooking the same falls that now bear her name.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Now, for your viewing pleasure, please enjoy the images taken by my photographer during our late afternoon excursion to Glacier National Park’s beautiful Running Eagle Falls.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="800" height="506" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?resize=800%2C506&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19783" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?resize=300%2C190&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C647&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?resize=768%2C485&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-6.jpg?resize=1536%2C971&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I’m standing in front of the Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino, our home-away-from-home in Browning, Montana for the three nights. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19784" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C730&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1095&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During our 19-mile drive from the hotel to the Two Medicine Entrance, we got our first good look at some of the mountains in Glacier National Park.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="565" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?resize=800%2C565&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19785" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?resize=300%2C212&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C723&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?resize=768%2C542&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1084&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Where’s the beef? We found it walking down the middle of MT-49 just outside of Glacier National Park.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1179" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?resize=800%2C1179&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19787" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?w=1086&ssl=1 1086w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?resize=204%2C300&ssl=1 204w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?resize=695%2C1024&ssl=1 695w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?resize=768%2C1131&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-7.jpg?resize=1043%2C1536&ssl=1 1043w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Once Vicki had parked our van, this was the view we saw during our so-called “short hike” to Running Eagle Falls.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19786" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-3.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This breathtaking view was taken as I posed near the bank of the Two Medicine Creek, located just downstream from the waterfall.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19788" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?w=1133&ssl=1 1133w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our first view of Running Eagle Falls surely didn’t disappoint any of us. In the spring, water naturally flows from the top of the rock formation, down into Two Medicine Creek.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1186" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?resize=800%2C1186&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19793" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?w=1147&ssl=1 1147w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?resize=202%2C300&ssl=1 202w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?resize=691%2C1024&ssl=1 691w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?resize=768%2C1138&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI-FALLS.jpg?resize=1036%2C1536&ssl=1 1036w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">After my photographer captured this image of his wife sitting along the shore of Two Medicine Creek, he was able to carefully make his way down the steep incline to her position. When we arrived, Vicki said, “This is so relaxing, I could stay here forever.” I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I thought Tom was about to say, “Well, I could stuff you in the same tree alongside Running Eagle.”</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19789" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-4.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Even with bad knees and no hiking sticks, Tom managed to carry me down a treacherous makeshift path that took us to the shore of Two Medicine Creek. From that vantage point, I had my closest look at Running Eagle Falls.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="534" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?resize=800%2C534&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19792" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-VICKI.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">You might notice Vicki was hiking back to the van while using only one of her two hiking sticks. That’s because my photographer’s knees began to bother him, so he begged his wife for her other stick. I thought to myself, “Had he stuffed her in Running Eagle’s tree, he could’ve had both sticks!”</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="539" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?resize=800%2C539&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19791" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?resize=300%2C202&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C690&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?resize=768%2C517&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GLACIER-9.jpg?resize=1536%2C1035&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During the trip back to the hotel, Tom navigated us along a different roadway which gave us another glimpse of Glacier National Park, one that we’d see in the morning. Tom and Vicki didn’t know whether or not the light patch on the distant mountain was a glacier, but it sure looked like one I had envisioned.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Running Eagle Falls was as magnificent as the hotel clerk had said, even though the hike to get to the falls was a lot further and more difficult than she had described. I laughed at one point during our visit when my photographer threw caution to the wind and slowly traversed his fat carcass down a steep slope to the creek’s edge to get a photo of the waterfall. Had Tom’s wife not let him use her hiking sticks, which was the only way he was able to get up the slope, he might have been forced to spend the night there – and that wouldn’t have been good for either of us. In my mind, we were in prime Sasquatch and black bear country.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"> For the return trip back to Browning and our hotel, Tom decided to take a slightly different route, which offered us a different view of the park. When I saw what looked like a possible glacier on one of the mountainsides, tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. This was nature at its finest and I couldn’t wait to see what she had in store for us. The mountains; the lakes; the glaciers; the wild animals; and maybe even a Sasquatch; were all in our crosshairs for the following morning.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">We arrived back at Glacier Peaks Hotel at roughly 5:30pm and our room was waiting for us. Once Tom had all of our gear safely brought to our room, the three of us headed for dinner at the Jackpot Restaurant, located inside the casino. As my photographer carried me through the busy casino, I heard Tom tell his wife he was in search of a KISS slot machine, similar to the Hollywood Casino machine in Kansas City where he won $176 in 2016. Unfortunately for Tom, but luckily for Vicki and me, none of the thousand or so slot machines we saw in the casino featured the “Hottest Band in the World”. Instead, the three of us headed to the restaurant where I watched my photographer put shrimp on the endangered species list.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Back in our room after dinner, I stood on my perch next to the TV set while Tom wrote and sent out his NASCAR report to his fantasy league. When that was finished, my exhausted two-consecutive-day hiker turned out the lights at nine o’clock and he was fast asleep shortly after.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Throughout the night, as I stood alone in the darkness, I had hoped to think about the scenery we were about to see on Wednesday. But I couldn’t. Instead, I thought about the two Indian reservations we drove through and the one we were lodging in. While it’s a fact that roughly one-third of all Native Americans live on reservations today, none of those areas of land we saw could be considered prime real estate. It saddens me to no end when I think about the way the Native people were treated throughout our nation’s history, beginning on May 28, 1830 when President Andrew Jerkson signed the Indian Removal Act that led to the infamous Trail of Tears. European settlers who transformed into Americans forced people from their homes and land in the East and made them relocate to some of the most inhabitable land in the West. Once the surviving natives were relocated, the new Americans tried to force the Native Americans to change their cultural way of life – including which god they worshipped.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Today, most Americans believe the atrocities that are ongoing in Ukraine with Russia’s unwarranted invasion and genocide of Ukrainian people has been deplorable. But the same thing happened in our country in the 1800s, and not many Americans blink an eye to the genocide that occurred within our own borders. The treatment of the native people in the current United States is the Holocaust nobody talks about. It’s America’s “Dirty Little Secret”. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Well, the secret is out, and I hope at some point during our trip I’ll have an opportunity to pay tribute to the Native Americans whose rich culture and ancestral beliefs should be embraced and not swept under the rug of history.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong> ** This post is dedicated to the memory of Running Eagle, first female warrior of the Blackfoot tribe **</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="928" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUNNING-EAGLE.png?resize=800%2C928&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-19798" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUNNING-EAGLE.png?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUNNING-EAGLE.png?resize=259%2C300&ssl=1 259w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUNNING-EAGLE.png?resize=883%2C1024&ssl=1 883w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUNNING-EAGLE.png?resize=768%2C891&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://eyesofjefferson.com/263-running-eagle-falls-provided-my-first-taste-of-glacier-national-park/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">19770</post-id> </item> <item> <title>111: HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE</title> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com/111-highway-to-the-danger-zone/</link> <comments>https://eyesofjefferson.com/111-highway-to-the-danger-zone/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Watson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 05 Dec 2020 01:02:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Biloxi Mississippi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Biloxi Shuckers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blue Angels]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Seger]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bruce Caldwell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[C.J. Hinojosa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Calten Daal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cooper Hummel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crocodile Rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Elton John]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Flying Tigers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hard Rock Hotel Biloxi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jefferson bobble head]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MGM Park]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Beltre]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Naval Air Station Pensacola]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pensacola Florida]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Skylab 2 Command Module]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trey Supak]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vinnie Vincent]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyesofjefferson.com/?p=6461</guid> <description><![CDATA[“Revvin’ up your engine; Listen to her howlin’ roar. Metal under tension; Beggin’ you to touch and go. Highway to the danger zone. Ride into the danger zone”. It was Tuesday July 16, 2019 and the three of us were…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><em>“Revvin’ up your engine; Listen to her howlin’ roar. Metal under tension; Beggin’ you to touch and go. Highway to the danger zone. Ride into the danger zone”. </em> </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">It was Tuesday July 16, 2019 and the three of us were anxious to make the three-mile drive from the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, which was home to the world-famous Blue Angels. At the entrance to the Naval base, there was already a line of vehicles waiting to get in at 8:15am; which was 45 minutes before the museum opened and over three hours before the Blue Angels’ practice session was slated to start. I heard my photographer tell his wife that there were only three practice sessions scheduled for the month of July; the exercises on the 2nd and 3rd were cancelled due to weather – which made the one that we were about to witness the only practice of the month.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6462" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?w=4388&ssl=1 4388w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-299.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At 8:15am there was a line of vehicles waiting to enter the Naval Air Station Base in Pensacola, Florida.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Once we were on the base, we had a 30-minute wait to enter the National Naval Aviation Museum. Normally a half-hour delay doesn’t seem terribly long, but the 90-degree temperature was making it uncomfortable for everyone in line. The air conditioning inside the museum was a godsend; but the fact that there was no fee to visit the gallery of aircraft or to watch the Blue Angels practice was even better. My photographer and his wife wandered around the museum and looked at some of the 150-plus aircraft that were on display in the building. Two months earlier I saw the Wright Flyer, The Spirit of St. Louis, and Glamorous Glennis at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Although the planes in this Naval museum had been meticulously restored and looked cool, they didn’t hold any historical significance; which for me, diminished the “wow factor”. Perhaps the only vehicle that impressed me was the Skylab 2 Command Module that took astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., Joseph P. Kerwin, and Paul J. Weitz into space to repair the damaged Skylab – the first orbital U.S. space station.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6464" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3458-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The P-40C Tomahawk, a World War II plane flown by pilots known as ‘Flying Tigers’, was on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6466" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0952-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My photographer captured several images of the cool looking plane and sent them to Lincoln Brown; who is not only a military aircraft aficionado, he’s also a co-worker of Tom’s as well. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6465" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0949-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">We got our first look at the blue and gold Navy planes as four A-4 Skyhawks hung in formation in the Blue Angel Atrium of the museum.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6467" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3474-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Apollo Command Module of Skylab 2 was flown by astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr, Joseph P. Kerwin; and Paul J. Weitz as they made repairs to the orbital space station Skylab.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6468" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3475-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The cramped interior of the Skylab 2 Command Module made it hard to believe that three astronauts sat inside that capsule and flew into space.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6469" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DSC_3476-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">With the scored exterior of the Skylab 2 Command Module, it appeared the craft felt the wrath of re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">We killed nearly two hours inside the museum until it was time to make the long trek out to the flight line. As the three of us exited the building, the extreme heat of the late morning immediately consumed my two companions. While Tom and Vicki got lucky when they rented two of the last remaining handful of plastic folding chairs that were available, there was no shade in which to escape the Sun’s rays. At precisely 11:30am, the first four of the half dozen blue and gold McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet jets took to the air. A minute or two later, two more planes went airborne; although we heard that one of the solo pilots had experienced mechanical problems with the landing gear of his jet and he would not engage in the show unless those issues were resolved. For roughly 45 minutes, the Blue Angels practiced their precision routine; a show that they’ve been doing since 1946 for more than 500 million spectators. From an opening in the camera case, I had a great view as the jets flew over with a thunderous roar of power; as well as to the cheers of the crowd. With each pass of the planes, my photographer snapped as many images as he could. Let’s take a look at the Blue Angels practice through the lens of Tom’s Nikon.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6471" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3478-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The long and hot walk out to the flight line.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="481" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?resize=800%2C481&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6472" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?w=1874&ssl=1 1874w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?resize=300%2C180&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?resize=768%2C462&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C616&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?resize=800%2C480&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3493-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Blue Angels’ pilots navigated their jets to the runway for takeoff. The show was about to begin.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6473" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?w=3243&ssl=1 3243w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-305.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6474" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?w=5111&ssl=1 5111w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-306.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6475" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?w=2533&ssl=1 2533w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-307.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6476" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?w=2445&ssl=1 2445w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-308.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6477" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?w=2392&ssl=1 2392w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-309.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6478" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?w=3320&ssl=1 3320w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-310.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="640" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?resize=800%2C640&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6479" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?w=2361&ssl=1 2361w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?resize=300%2C240&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?resize=768%2C614&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?resize=1024%2C819&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6480" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?w=5345&ssl=1 5345w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-311.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6481" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?w=3528&ssl=1 3528w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-312.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6482" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?w=3444&ssl=1 3444w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-313.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6483" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?w=4685&ssl=1 4685w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-314.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6484" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?w=3437&ssl=1 3437w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-315.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-316.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6485" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-316.jpg?w=1575&ssl=1 1575w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-316.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-316.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-316.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6486" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?w=4922&ssl=1 4922w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-317.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="521" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3931-2.jpg?resize=800%2C521&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6488" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3931-2.jpg?w=1179&ssl=1 1179w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3931-2.jpg?resize=300%2C195&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3931-2.jpg?resize=768%2C500&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3931-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C667&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Blue Angels pilot Navy Captain Eric Doyle leads his squadron past the crowd at the conclusion of practice.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="282" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?resize=800%2C282&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6490" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?w=5525&ssl=1 5525w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?resize=300%2C106&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?resize=768%2C271&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C361&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3946-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Safely back on the ground, we saluted the United States Navy’s Blue Angels.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The old saying “Practice makes perfect” was never more meaningful than it was at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. Even though the Blue Angels routine was considered a “practice”, it was nearly identical to the maneuvers those pilots do in their actual shows. I knew that my photographer and his wife enjoyed the 45-minute demonstration; and for me, the show instilled a sense of American pride, patriotism, and an overall appreciation for the talent that each pilot possessed. They truly rode the highway to the danger zone. While those Naval aviators made their stunts look easy and routine, there was no doubt a huge amount of calculated danger with each “trick”. Hopefully no one ever loses sight of the fact that 27 pilots have perished during the 73 years that the Blues have been performing; which is about 10% of the 261 pilots in the squadron’s history. That’s one out of every ten Blue Angels pilots; as well as one pilot death every three years. The last Blue Angels pilot to die while performing was Marine Captain Jeff Kuss who lost his life when his Hornet crashed during practice on June 2, 2016 in Smyrna, Tennessee. The performance that we had witnessed was conducted just over three years since Kuss’ fatality. With resin for brains, it makes it hard for me to process statistics; but it doesn’t take an Einstein bobble head to figure out that the Blue Angels were overdue for another fatal plane crash. While I was extremely happy that a tragedy didn’t occur while the three of us watched; I left the light line with the hopes that there will never be another Blue Angels crash. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">When we returned to the sun-scorched Highlander that was parked near the museum, Vicki couldn’t activate the vehicle’s air conditioner fast enough. I laughed to myself when I heard Tom say out loud: “I knew Florida was called the Sunshine State, but someone underestimated that a bit. Florida should be known as the Sunbaked State – stick a fork in us, I think we’re done!” We left Pensacola behind as we travelled Highway 90 towards Mobile, Alabama; my companions searched for antique shops all along the way. With no specific shops mapped-out, Tom and Vicki referred to their method as “freestyling”; a phrase they borrowed from the ‘American Pickers’ TV show. At one point during our 125-mile ride along the Southern part of Alabama and into Mississippi, Vicki secured hotel reservations for that night; and it was a place that I was excited to stay. Not only did she get us a room at the Biloxi, Mississippi Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, I heard her tell my photographer that we had a room with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. For me, the rest of the day was special because I had never been to the state of Mississippi, nor had I ever seen the Gulf of Mexico either. But the icing on the cake, at least for me, was I knew the Hard Rock Café was filled with Rock and Roll memorabilia and I couldn’t wait to see their collection.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">We arrived at the Hard Rock Hotel at roughly 3:15pm, but it was nearly “four bells” by the time Tom and Vicki had the Highlander unpacked and all their stuff lugged up to our eighth-floor room. While I was anxious to see some of the Rock and Roll mementos that were on display throughout the complex, my photographer had other ideas. He and his wife had their sights set on attending a Minor League Baseball game; the first game of a double header between the hometown Biloxi Shuckers and the Chattanooga Lookouts was slated to start at 5:30pm. Originally the date was scheduled as a single game, but heavy rain from Hurricane Barry postponed the previous day’s contest – which created the twin bill. MGM Park, which was the home of the Milwaukee Brewer’s Double-A Southern League team, was located about a half-mile West of our hotel. The three of us made the hike along Beach Boulevard to the stadium in about 15 minutes.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="967" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?resize=800%2C967&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6492" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?w=3703&ssl=1 3703w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?resize=248%2C300&ssl=1 248w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?resize=768%2C928&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?resize=847%2C1024&ssl=1 847w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3958-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our home for the night in Biloxi, Mississippi was the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6493" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?w=5769&ssl=1 5769w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3955-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I got my first look at the Gulf of Mexico through the window of our hotel room.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">At the ballpark, Tom purchased our seats which were located along the first base line and luckily for us, the seats were in the shade. Shortly after we paid a visit to the stadium’s pro-shop where my photographer bought a Biloxi Shuckers baseball hat, the first of a pair of seven-inning games got underway. I remained in the camera case while Tom shoveled several hot dogs into his face for dinner, while Vicki had a dog and a beer of her own. From time to time during the game, I heard my photographer complain that there wasn’t a lot of action; he was bored and extremely hot. As a matter of fact, the biggest highlight that kept Tom’s interest was Shuckers’ starting pitcher Trey Supak had a no-hitter intact. When the game entered the final frame with Biloxi holding a commanding 8-0 lead, Supak needed just three outs to complete his “no-no”. After the first two Lookouts’ hitters were retired, Reds’ prospect Jose Siri hit a “seeing-eye single” up the middle to break up Supak’s bid for immortality. Biloxi’s 6’ 5” 240-pound right-hander finished with a one-hit complete game shutout.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6494" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?w=6000&ssl=1 6000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3962-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom captured this image while the umpires met with the managers at home plate before the start of the game.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="935" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3963-2.jpg?resize=800%2C935&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6495" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3963-2.jpg?w=1099&ssl=1 1099w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3963-2.jpg?resize=257%2C300&ssl=1 257w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3963-2.jpg?resize=768%2C898&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3963-2.jpg?resize=876%2C1024&ssl=1 876w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">With the day’s extreme heat, the last thing on our minds was Santa Claus. It turned out the Shuckers were celebrating ‘Christmas In July’ at the stadium.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1102" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1102&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6496" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?w=3964&ssl=1 3964w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?resize=218%2C300&ssl=1 218w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1058&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?resize=744%2C1024&ssl=1 744w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3965-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ever wonder what Santa does during his 364 days off from work? On that evening in Biloxi, he greeted fans at MGM Park. I had to admit, the Jolly Old Elf looked relaxed and comfortable.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?resize=800%2C524&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6498" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?w=3290&ssl=1 3290w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?resize=300%2C197&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?resize=768%2C503&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C671&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_3991-2-1.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Biloxi outfielder Cooper Hummel blasted a second-inning solo home run to put his team into the lead 1-0. Hummel had three hits in the game and was a double shy of hitting for the cycle.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6499" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?w=5600&ssl=1 5600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-321.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The magnificent MGM Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino overlooked MGM Park.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1119" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-322.jpg?resize=800%2C1119&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6500" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-322.jpg?w=1400&ssl=1 1400w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-322.jpg?resize=214%2C300&ssl=1 214w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-322.jpg?resize=768%2C1075&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-322.jpg?resize=732%2C1024&ssl=1 732w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chattanooga right fielder Michael Beltre seemed to think that his ‘tongue-out’ approach to catching a fly ball helped with his concentration.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="712" height="997" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-325.jpg?resize=712%2C997&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6501" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-325.jpg?w=712&ssl=1 712w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-325.jpg?resize=214%2C300&ssl=1 214w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 712px) 100vw, 712px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shuckers’ second baseman C.J. Hinojosa (3) kept his eye on the popup as outfielder Corey Ray arrived on the scene as back up.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6502" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?w=3360&ssl=1 3360w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-327.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Biloxi shortstop Bruce Caldwell performed an acrobatic move to throw out the Lookouts runner at first base.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6503" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?w=2239&ssl=1 2239w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-326.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chattanooga second-sacker Calten Daal removes the ball from his glove during a double play. C.J. Hinojosa arrived late to break-up the twin killing.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6504" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?w=3382&ssl=1 3382w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-323.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Biloxi 6′ 5″ righthander Trey Supak fires a fastball towards the plate during the late innings of the game. Supak came within one out of a no-hitter.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">MGM Park was only four years old and looked similar to other Minor League ballparks around the country. The noticeable exception, however, was the impressive MGM Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino stood prominently past the right-centerfield fence. At the conclusion of the first game, my photographer and his wife strolled around the stadium’s concourse for a few minutes before they made the decision to walk back to their hotel. The three of us likely would have stayed for the second game, but the heat had become unbearable. As twilight hit the Gulf Coast area, Tom snapped a few photos of the ballpark before he turned his camera towards the 112-foot-tall guitar that stood in front of our hotel. When that guitar was built in 2005, it was the tallest Hard Rock sign in the world.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="572" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?resize=800%2C572&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6507" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?w=3197&ssl=1 3197w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-328.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Three Shuckers’ fans got into the ‘Christmas In July’ spirit when they donned their Santa costumes for the two games. When I saw the trio, I knew in my mind they had to be sweating their bells off in those hot outfits.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6506" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?w=4299&ssl=1 4299w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-329.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The exterior of MGM Park as it looked in between games of the double header.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6508" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?w=5238&ssl=1 5238w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?resize=768%2C549&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-330.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi as we viewed it during our walk from MGM Park.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="571" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?resize=800%2C571&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6509" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?w=5600&ssl=1 5600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2019-TEXAS-TRIP-332.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At 112 feet tall, this guitar is the tallest Hard Rock sign in the world. Shortly after this iconic sign was put in place, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast causing a lot of damage to the hotel and property. The Hard Rock guitar, however, withstood the wrath of Katrina and suffered only minor damage.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I thought for sure when we returned to the hotel that my photographer would leave me in our room while he and his wife gambled in the casino. But that didn’t happen. Tom and Vicki never went into the casino. Instead, we wandered the building and looked at the huge collection of Rock and Roll memorabilia that was on display. Of course, my photographer’s number one focus was KISS items; but he only found a pair of pants once worn by guitarist Vinnie Vincent. After we saw a Michigan connection with a guitar played and signed by Bob Seger, we stumbled upon one of the coolest stage outfits I had ever seen in person. It was the full 1975 costume worn by the piano pounding madman himself – Elton John. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1337" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1337&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6510" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?w=3370&ssl=1 3370w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?resize=180%2C300&ssl=1 180w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1283&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?resize=613%2C1024&ssl=1 613w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4061-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">These pants were once worn by Vinnie Vincent – who had played guitar from 1982 to 1984 with KISS. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="503" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?resize=800%2C503&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6511" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?w=5657&ssl=1 5657w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?resize=300%2C189&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?resize=768%2C483&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C644&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4062-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When I saw the guitar that was signed by Bob Seger, I had wondered why the Hard Rock Hotel had it displayed with the signature upside down.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1231" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1231&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6512" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?w=3787&ssl=1 3787w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?resize=195%2C300&ssl=1 195w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1181&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?resize=666%2C1024&ssl=1 666w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4065-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The outlandish and flamboyant stage costume worn by Elton John in 1975.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1018" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN.jpg?resize=800%2C1018&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6513" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN.jpg?w=960&ssl=1 960w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN.jpg?resize=236%2C300&ssl=1 236w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN.jpg?resize=768%2C978&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN.jpg?resize=804%2C1024&ssl=1 804w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elton was photographed in 1975 wearing that same costume on stage.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN3-2.jpg?resize=800%2C524&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6514" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN3-2.jpg?w=1300&ssl=1 1300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN3-2.jpg?resize=300%2C196&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN3-2.jpg?resize=768%2C503&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ELTON-JOHN3-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C670&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">It seemed as though Elton took the sequined hat out of mothballs for his 1978 performance of ‘Crocodile Rock’ on the Muppet Show. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1131" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1131&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-6515" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?w=3872&ssl=1 3872w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1 212w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1086&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?resize=724%2C1024&ssl=1 724w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSC_4067-2.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1 2400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My photographer captured a close up image of the headgear worn by one of the greatest rock stars in music history.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">We returned to our room around 8:30pm and Tom placed me on the window ledge where I spent the night. For a few hours, I watched all shapes and sizes of people as they swam in the pool below. When the room’s lights were turned off and I stood alone in the darkness, I couldn’t help but envision Elton John as he wore the stage outfit I saw downstairs. The crowd in the packed arena went wild as Elton’s fingers tickled the ivories and his mouth pressed against the piano’s microphone: “The biggest kick I ever got, was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock. While the other kids were Rocking ‘Round the Clock, we were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock.” I found it ironic that Elton’s song from his 1973 ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player’ album was running rampant in my mind. Earlier, I had heard my photographer say that after our visit to Jefferson Davis’ home in the morning that we were going on an afternoon swamp boat tour in Louisiana. In that swamp, we would get a close look at some alligators. I wasn’t quite sure what the difference between crocodiles and alligators was, I only hoped that they didn’t like the taste of resin.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><em>“My biggest kick couldn’t get much greater, after our home tour of the rebel traitor. Even though I wanted to rock with a croc, I’d have to settle for a Cajun gator. La, la la la la la.” </em> </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Don’t shoot me, I’m only the bobble head!</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://eyesofjefferson.com/111-highway-to-the-danger-zone/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">6461</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>