Farm Progress Show 2015

The weekend provided a great opportunity to get out doors and see the 2015 Farm Progress Show at the old Chanute Field. There were thousands of old pieces of farm equipment dating back to the early 1900's. Lots of action too with plowing and harvesting of crops. It comes to Rantoul every two years so mark your calendar for two years from now. 

There were some big tractors and this one was called Earthquake and it did shake the ground. It also was able to pull a 20 bottom plow. That means there were 20 plowshares in the ground at one time. That creates a lot of drag.

You can see the bottoms here, going through the field. The man is in control of the plow.

 1924 Steam powered tractor.

One of only seven in known to exist. See the small plow it is pulling.

Two row corn picker.

Small steam engine.

It was a lot of fun and, as always, I should have taken more pictures. This is a big one, too.

 These two old boys were having a good time looking around.

 Great looking old Alice-Chalmers tractor. 

This is the true definition of "horse power."

Make it a date in two years to go check it out.

1911 Steam engine.

Chapel of the Holy Dove

One of my favorite places to take a break is in Arizona and I have been stopping there since I found the little spot back in 1971. It is located a few miles north of Flagstaff, AZ and is right on the side of the road. It is the kind of place everyone should stop at and take a minute to unwind. I always do.

 This is the sign in front of the little chapel. 

I cut out this article about the place from a news paper in Phoenix, AZ that tells the story better than I. 

 This is a view from the road that passes by and also shows San Fransisco Peak in the background. 

This shot is from out front of the big picture window facing the mountains. 

 View out at the mountains on one of my visits.

A different day and a better view. 

 The entrance isn't very tall and the floor is gravel.

Inside people have posted prayers for friends and family. 

The drive on to the Grand Canyon is also beautiful. 

Aspens turning on the side of the mountains. If you get a chance stop by and enjoy a moment of peace. It's not on any map I have seen so you are going to have to find it on Rt. 180 north out of Flagstaff. 

This was a sunny day and a good day to see the mountains. Have fun!

Garden of the Gods

Near Colorado Springs there is a very special place called Garden of the Gods. It was a place given to Colorado by a man and his family and he wanted it to be for ever free to the public. It is a must see when you are out in Colorado. Here are a few shots.

This shot is from 1955 when I first visited the park.

Met up with good friends out there, amazing. 

 Main Entrance

Beautiful rocks

 Rock climbers

Colorful rocks

 Every view is a good one.

Dedication

A deer in the pic if you see him.

Stop in some time.

Knoxville Nationals

I have always liked Sprint Car races. I finally got over to the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, IA. The cars have 900 HP and weigh less than 1,500 pounds. Fast. 

Early in the morning I got a shot without traffic or people in the way.

They have a real nice museum there of old race cars.

This is an example of one of the oldies.

Entrance to the backstretch grandstands.

A typical Sprint Car. The fin on top helps hold in on the track at high speeds. 

This car ended up being the overall winner with a grand prize of $150,000. 

Here is an example of one of the trucks that hauls the cars and all the equipment. 

Warm-up on the track before time trials.

Parade lap for the fans before the start of a race. 24 cars and 24 laps.

View of the pits in the infield where they get the cars ready for the races.

Getting the track ready during the day.

Working on one of the cars putting on a new rear tire. 

Sunset, all of the racing took place under the lights so the sun would not be in their eyes. It was a lot of fun and there were four days of racing. I only saw two days so maybe more next year. There will be racing with cars like these at the State Fair this year in Illinois.

American Gothic

On my recent trip to Iowa I came upon a famous landmark that is seldom visited. I went out of my way to stop in to see this famous house in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Have you seen this house?

I bet you have seen this and don't remember that you did. 

This Gothic style window has a lot to do with what made the house famous.

Maybe these two will help you remember. 

NO?

 

 

How about this hint?

Of course you have seen this painting. It is the second most familiar painting in the world, second only to what other painting?

Mona Lisa!