Shreveport Reg., LAAfternoon at Louisiana Downs
August 22nd, 2010 by admin
My friend, Jim, is a horseman. He invited me to join him at the track to watch one of his horses run. It was a gorgeous day. We had a fun afternoon and expanded my understanding of horses and racing. I posted several more pictures on my Flickr page. Thanks, Jim!
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Styx Tour for the Troops Concert
July 5th, 2010 by admin
Members of the military community celebrated Independence Day with the legendary rock band, Styx. To honor the men and women serving our nation at home and overseas, the Air Force Reserve offered this concert free for all members of the Armed Forces and their immediate families. Century-Tel Center filled with military members, active duty, reserve, and retired, plus their families for an evening of great entertainment.
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Fort Worth Botanic Garden
June 3rd, 2010 by admin
Over the years we have often gone to Dallas for a weekend break, but we had visited Fort Worth only once. This Memorial Day weekend we revisited Fort Worth and discovered a real gem, the Botanic Garden. Our visit was brief, it was too hot to stay out past mid day, but what a great place. Admission to all the outdoor areas is free. They even have concerts in the park during the summer months. To see all the pictures visit our Flickr page.
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Sky Walking
April 2nd, 2010 by admin
Skywalk ©2010 Michael Welch
On the Hualapi Indian Reservation, 120 miles east of Las Vegas Nevada, you can experience Sky Walking. The western rim of the Grand Canyon cuts a deep gorge through the land here. Looking over the edge is enchanting, but looking straight down to the canyon floor 4,000 feet below is awe inspiring.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, built at Grand Canyon West, was completed in 2007. The immense structure extends 70 feet beyond the rim of the canyon at a height of 4000 feet. The walkway surface is made of special glass, affording a sense of walking on air.
Tags: Arizona, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Nevada, Skywalk
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Grand Canyon West
April 2nd, 2010 by admin
A couple of hours east of Las Vegas, on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, is Grand Canyon West. The western rim of the Grand Canyon sets the stage for ancient to meet modern. For millenia water and wind have carved the canyon walls. For 12,000 years Native American Peoples have called the canyon home. Today, modern explorers arrive by bus, car, and helicopter to enjoy a spectrum of exciting activities.
Looking west from Guano Point © 2010 Michael Welch
From Las Vegas, Grand Canyon West is about a 120 mile drive or a short flight by charter plane or helicopter. The drive includes a number of potential delays and hazards, but if you rent a car and drive yourself it affords more flexibility for your visit than scheduled bus, jeep, or air charters and is probably going to cost you less too.
Tags: Arizona, Grand Canyon, Nevada
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Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
April 2nd, 2010 by admin
Climbers At Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area © 2010 Michael Welch
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, but seems so remote and natural it is hard to believe that they are neighbors. The conservation area offers a 13-mile scenic drive, picnic areas, numerous hiking trails, and some great rock climbing. For a fee of $5.00 per car ($7.00/day after 5/1/10) you can enter the park and stay all day.
Hikers Above Cave at Calico Canyon © 2010 Michael Welch
We hiked the Madre Springs Trail and enjoyed a beautiful vista. For more photos, visit our Flickr page.
Tags: Las Vegas, Nevada, Red Rock Canyon
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Las Vegas, Nevada
April 2nd, 2010 by admin
Spring Break – 2010 found us back in Las Vegas for a brief but fun packed stay. Our home base for two days was the Mirage. So, why would two people who do not get a rush from gambling visit Las Vegas? Three reasons: Shows, Food, and Surroundings! On this mini-trip we’ve planned for some of each.
Perhaps our favorite show ever is Cirque du Soleil’s “Love,” a tribute to the Beatles. Yes, it is probably generational, but the music, dance, acrobatics, gymnastics and staging are stunning! We have seen other Cirque productions and they were great, but this on has our vote for the best.
Eating in Las Vegas challenges your decision making capacities. There are so many great places to eat. We chose B & B Ristorante, a Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich creation. Located in the Venetian, right across the strip from our hotel, the restaurant offers superb Italian food. Fix in the Bellagio makes an awesome pizza with prosciutto, gorgonzola, and figs.
Las Vegas is located in some of the most amazing geography in the United States. We visited two nearby sites, Red Rock Canyon and Grand Canyon West. Red Rock Canyon is only minutes from the Strip, but offers true wilderness areas. From the Willow Springs picnic area we hiked the La Madre Springs trail. It took us about 1 hour to the spring, between the uphill grade and stopping for pictures, and 30 minutes to get back to the trail head. Grand Canyon West is 2 – 3 hours east of Las Vegas and offers several unique experiences, including the relatively new (2007) Skywalk.
We had a great visit and came home winners – without gambling a cent! More Las Vegas photos are available on our Flickr page.
Tags: Grand Canyon West, Las Vegas, Nevada, Red Rock Canyon, Skywalk
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Winter Visits Shreveport
February 12th, 2010 by admin
Shreveport is no stranger to an occasional snow flurry in the winter months, but snow on the ground is not something we get very often. More often, we would have ice storms. Although 3 – 5 inches of snow is inconsequential in many parts of the country it brings the South to a grinding stop. Since snow accumulation is so rare, communities do not have snow or ice removal equipment. So, snow means schools and most government offices are closed today. The temperature will reach 40 degrees by this afternoon and all the pretty sights will melt away, not to come again for some time. I snapped a few shots in the yard to keep the images fresh.
Tags: Shreveport
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Day 21: Montevideo to Miami/Dallas/Shreveport
January 31st, 2010 by admin
Tonight we fly home. We had a wonderful visit, but it is has to end. One last trip to Tienda Iglesia (kind of like Super Walmart) to purchase several small bottles of Tannat wine and off to Andreas’.
We enjoyed one more diner at Andreas’ then took a remis (private car/semi-limo) to the Airport. Between our arrival and departure in Uruguay the old airport terminal closed and the new terminal opened. The new Carrasco International Airport is a beautiful, modern facility. We had extra time to enjoy it because our American Airlines flight crew arrived late that day and needed more crew rest time. Our original 11:15 pm departure time moved to 1:30 am. Betsy was nearly freezing in the overactive air conditioning, so we made one last purchase, a hand woven wool blanket from an artist in Punta del Este. Our flight was uneventful and of course uncomfortable. I think American Airlines has the smallest seating space in coach class of all American carriers.
What a great trip!
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Day 20: Montevideo – Fiera, Parque Rodo
January 31st, 2010 by admin
Sunday is fiera day in Parque Rodo, so we went exploring for more treasures and were not disappointed. This is a large park and a large market. As you enter the park from the Rambla you pass a monument to the Uruguayan essayist José Enrique Rodó (15 July 1872 – 1 May 1917).
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