Laundry/Relaxation/Rest-up/Oil Change Day - Day 33

The temperatures on the day were in the 70s/80s most of the day.  When I awoke this morning it was 63F, a pleasant temperature for this time of year.  No gasoline purchases today, what a relief!  Things accomplished between trips were laundry, relaxation, rest-up, and any other casual duties like getting an oil change for the Soul.
States visited on the trip West numbered twenty (20), included were: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and West Virginia.  My plans today are to start the journey to the Northeast, Connecticut will be one of my first endeavors.

As one can see the West Trip Blog has been modified to Where's Papa Dave IV (A).  The East Trip Blog  to Maine shall be called Where's Papa Dave IV (B) and can be followed at the website address:
http://www.papadave65b.blogspot.com/

Be ready folks!

The Traveller

Crater Lake Panoramic Photo

This picture of Crater Lake was taken near Skell Head on the Eastern Rim Drive at Crater Lake, Oregon.  This photo is actually a panoramic shot taken from the Nexus 7 tablet.  My Canon SLR Digital lens could not get all of the Lake in on one shot and now that I have dropbox on my pc, I can now post the tablets photos.  Just a beautiful subject matter for photos, that Crater Lake is!

Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan Photosphere Photo

This picture of both Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan was taken off Route 542 near Austin Pass, Washington.  This panoramic photo is another example of what one sees from the snapshot of a photosphere.  If the photo is enlarged one can see both Mt Baker (left rear) and Mt Shuksan (right rear).  These Mountain peaks are almost 180 degrees from one another, Mt Baker to the Southwest and Mt Shuksan to the East.  They are  the Mountain Peaks that still contain snow on them.  Notice again in the center of the picture the photosphere symbol.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart Photosphere Photo

This picture of the inside of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was taken on the University of Notre Dame Campus near South Bend, Indiana.  The photo is actually a panoramic view taken as a Photosphere on the new Nexus 7 tablet.  Photosphere photography is something new in the photography business as it attempts to take a half sphere (dome) of the subject matter in question.  It is like looking at a World Map of the Earth on a flat surface.  One cannot take a photosphere without certain camera and software requirements.  One cannot also view the complete photosphere without these same requirements from the viewing media.  This particular photosphere was uploaded to dropbox, which as of today does not have the capability of viewing photospheres as a photosphere.  If one looks at the exact center of the photo, the photosphere symbol is visible.  The only reason I posted this shot was to show my readers a unique perspective of the photosphere photos.

Home.....Temporarily - Day 32

Today ended my third and last Trip driving to the West. With the low temperature for the day being 74F,  high temperature being 86F and the sky extremely overcast, it was a day to write home to mom about, but none the least, the rains came only when I was visiting Horseshoe Curve and then it was only a brief shower.  Gasoline purchased today was at $3.659/gallon, again below the average for the trip.  I am thinking that the average gasoline prices for the trip has dropped from this past week purchases.  As one can see from the photos, I revisited Horseshoe Curve, spent some time in Altoona, and visited South Williamsport to see the Little League World Series Sports Complex.
It is now time to head to the Northeast for 10-12 days to see one of those states I have never been to, Maine.  I plan to rest up for a day before I start IV-2, however!
Today's driving brought the total mileage for the Western Trip to 9597 miles or 300 miles/day.  I could not have planned this any better.
So stay tuned folks!

The Traveller

Howard J. Lamade Stadium

This picture of Howard J. Lamade Stadium was taken from the TV Tower within the Little League World Series Complex in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  This stadium along with The Volunteer Stadium host the Little League Baseball World Series.  This stadium, built in 1959, can hold 40,000 people which includes the outfield berm area (beyond the outfield wall).  To show just how big this event has become, many of these games are televised on ESPN.  By the way this years winner was Japan, defeating a California team 6-4 on Sunday August 25, 2013.

Horseshoe Curve Traffic

This picture of a Norfolk Northern Train was taken on Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania.  One can travel to this site by taking the Veterans Memorial Highway out of Altoona.  This particular train is ascending from Altoona, Pennsylvania to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a Westward direction.  The diameter of the half-circle formed by the curve is 1300 feet or in engineering terms, 9 degrees, 25 minutes of curvature.  The Curve was opened on February 15,1854 and with very few exceptions has been running every since.  Although overcast, the snow did hold off this time!

Wall That Heals Memorial

This picture of the Wall That Heals Memorial was taken on Pleasant Valley Boulevard in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  On Veterans Day in 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund unveiled a half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  This Memorial replica was designed to travel to different communities throughout the United States to help spread a healing process to those veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing the Wall in D.C. by themselves.  To date, The Wall That Heals has visited more than 350 cities and towns throughout the United States. 

A Reminiscing "Stan the Man" Day - Day 31

The temperatures are slowing coming down as I get closer and closer to home, low temperature read 74F with the high coming in at 87F.  This was the first day in awhile that the thermometer didn't read at least 90F.  There were a few more clouds today then the previous few days also, but no rains came.  Gasoline purchased were two once again, one at $3.659/gallon and another at $3.799/gallon.  Today was a real special day for me as I decided to revisit Donora, Pennsylvania.  My previous visit here was to find the boyhood home of Stan Musial.  While trying to confirm where his home was, I met upon a couple that identified themselves as friends of Stan Musial, in fact she identified that her Aunt was Stan's Godmother.  She also said that Stan's boyhood home no longer existed.  As a result I am going to update my Papadave III blog to correct the error that I identified as his boyhood home.  This couple were just so warm and friendly, I didn't want to leave as I enjoyed their company so much!  A big Thank You goes out to them.
Tomorrow my plans include to revisit Horseshoe Curve as it was snowing on my previous visit, if one remembers.
Home is is sight!

The Traveller

"Stan the Man" Musial Bridge

This picture of the "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge was taken on Route 837 in Donora, Pennsylvania.  The bridge was officially named "Stan the Man" Musial Bridge on January 8,2012 and formally dedicated on May 4, 2012.  The bridge spans the Monongahela River and links the Westmoreland and Washington Counties via the Vance DeiCas Highway.  I really like the yellow color!

First Photographs From Space

This picture of a picture from space was taken at the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site on Main Street in New Concord, Ohio.  A tour of the home identified many exhibits including the one in the photo.  Seems John Glenn, Jr wanted to be able to take a photo during his four (4) hours and fifty-five (55) minute flight in Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962 of which the Flight Director said No!  As one can read in the inscription however, John did get his wish!

A Three State Day - Day 30

The low temperature today was 82F and high temperature was 94F, continuing the mid western heat conditions. Gasoline purchased today came in at $3.699/gallon, quite a bit different than the $0.24/gallon that was paid by the two friends in the 1922 Model T Ford in the 1948 trip.  The trip today included driving across the entire states of Illinois and Indiana and part of Ohio stopping in Richmond to tour the Model T Museum.  I know the Model T was not exactly the most luxurious auto in the world but they were affordable to almost anyone.  Thanks to the curator for being so informative on the different Model T's in the Museum.
Tomorrow includes revisiting some of the former places as the scheduled date of returning home gets closer to the September 1 deadline.
Take Care!

The Traveller

1927 Ford Coupe

This picture of a 1927 Ford Coupe was taken at the Model T Museum on 309 North 8th Street in Richmond, Indiana.  This particular Coupe was built with a January 24th, 1927 date and a serial number of 14,680,091.  The color is Channel Green and it is my favorite of all the Model T's.  The first production Model T was produced on August 12, 1908.  On May 26,1927, Henry Ford watched the 15,000,000th Model T Ford roll off the assembly line at his factory in Highland Park, Michigan.  Pretty neat!

1922 Model T Ford

This picture of a 1922 Model T Ford was taken at the Model T Museum located at 309 North 8th Street in Richmond, Indiana.  This is the vehicle that the two friends decided to take a trip across the U.S.A in 1948.  The trip, originated in Harrison, Ohio, ended up being a three month 10,000 miles trek to the West and East Coast, South, through the American Heartland and as far North as the Dakotas.  Gasoline purchases were recorded and photos were also taken along the way.  I don't know why I haven't thought of that!  By the way the gasoline purchased along the way was $0.24/gallon. 

A Between "M" Rivers State Day - Day 29

Today continued the higher temperatures in the American Heartland, as the low was 78F and the high was 97F.  The sun also continued to shine through some high clouds.  Gasoline purchases included one at $3.599/gallon and one at $3.699/gallon, again these prices were below the average for the trip.  The past few days could bring the average down some, I for one am all for it.  This was an extremely busy day with visits to Van Meter (home of Bob Feller and Museum), Winterset (home of the Bridges of Madison County and John Wayne's birthplace and Museum), West Branch (home of Herbert Hoover and Library), Galesburg, Illinois (home of a Lincoln-Douglass debate and Carl Sandburg's birthplace), and finally taking in a Peoria Chiefs ball game in Peoria, Illinois.  One tidbit about Iowa, it is the only state that has rivers completely bordering the East and West boundaries.
Tomorrow continues the trek East towards home.
Night Folks!

The Traveller

Clinton vs Peoria

This picture of a Jordan Walton single was taken at Dozer Stadium on 730 SW Jefferson Avenue in Peoria , Illinois.  The Peoria Chiefs (St Louis Cardinals) were not so fortunate in the line score though as they succumbed to the Clinton LumberKings (Seattle Mariners) 3-2 dimming their playoff hopes.  I have lost my magic, I think if Mike were here, the results might have been different.

Birthplace Cottage of Herbert Hoover

This picture of Herbert Hoover's Birthplace Cottage was taken at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa.  Herbert Hoover's father and grandfather built the 14 by 20 foot cottage in 1871 and sold it in 1878.  There were several owners between 1878 to 1935 when President Hoover and Mrs. Hoover purchased the cottage and had it restored to its present condition.  I find it amazing that a family could live in what could be one room in a house of today.  One tidbit about Herbert Hoover is that he was the first President born West of the Mississippi River.

Bridges of Madison County

These pictures of the Bridges of Madison County were taken on Roseman Bridge Road (Top photo) and Holliwell Bridge Road (Bottom photo) near Winterset, Iowa.  Roseman Bridge spans the Middle River and was built in 1883 by H. Benton Jones.  Holliwell Bridge was built in 1880 by H. Benton Jones and C. K. Foster.  These bridges along with Cedar Bridge (not shown) were the three bridges used in the 1994 movie "Bridges of Madison County" starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.  One gets to these bridges by driving on what I call "white" dirt roads.  They are pretty cool though!

A Lazy Hazy Day of Summer Day - Day 28

The low and high temperatures for today were not much different than yesterday as the low was 80F and the high reached triple digits again topping off at 100F.  The sun was out in full force once again.  Gasoline purchases included one at $3.459/gallon and one at $3699/gallon, both lower than the average.  It was one of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer as Nat King Cole sang.  I spent a great deal of time at Omaha today visiting Werner Park where a new statue of Bob Gibson was unveiled this year as well as visiting Boys Town where Father Flanagan founded a home and school for homeless,abandoned, neglected, or underprivileged boys, regardless of color or creed in 1917.  It has now expanded to where there are now girls as well.
My plans tomorrow will be day three crossing our heartland and to maybe take in a ballgame.
Night everyone!

The Traveller

Bob Gibson Statue

This picture of the Bob Gibson Statue was taken just outside Werner Park on 12356 Ball Park Way, Papillion, Nebraska.  Werner Park is home to the Kansas City Royals Triple A franchise Omaha Storm Chasers.  Born in Omaha, Bob Gibson overcame childhood illnesses to play 17 seasons in the Major Leagues for the St Louis Cardinals and as a pitcher tallied 251 wins, 3117 strikeouts, and a 2.91 earned run average during his career.  in 1981, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.  On April 11, 2013 this statue was unveiled with an estimated of 300 in attendance including Joe Torre, Bill White, and Tim McCarver (Teammates of Gibson), Bud Selig (Commissioner of MLB), Warren Buffett (Omaha investor), and Bill DeWitt,Jr. (St Louis President).  He was one of the best pitchers of all time.