Troop 55 - Eagle Scout Number 98

I am very proud to announce that we are celebrating Christopher's advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout. Can it be that it has already been 10 years since he was a first grade Tiger Cub? He joins his brother, Ben, who is Eagle Scout number 89.

His Eagle Scout service project was the planning and leading 40 people the construction of a wood chip path to a playground at Cedar Heights Elementary.

Take care and take pictures of all the happenings all the time.
-Kim

Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 15th because that is the grand opening of the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum at the Grout Museum in Waterloo. (There will be a parade too 10:00)

I had a chance to go for a sneak peak yesterday with a Cub Scout Pack and was excited and proud that this museum is here in our own area.

The Lone Sailor statue greets visitors. Designed by Stanley Bleifeld, the original stands in Washington D.C. at the Navy Memorial. He represents all sailors past, present and future. There are 12 statues around the country all standing next to water. We are only inland site. (If you ever get to Washington D. C. take a moment to visit the memorial. The bronze reliefs surrounding the Plaza are really cool to see!)

Inside: Learn about Iowa's veterans from the Civil War to the present.
Including Iowa boys sent to the Phillipines in the late 1800's. Learned something new.

Trench warfare in World War I, the war to end all wars.

Up periscope.

The home front is explored through packing crates of cans in 30 seconds.
We told him that the lid would have to fit on the crate. Lid?

Checking out the theatre and viewing the stories of our Iowa Veterans.

Liberation is at hand! They were told to get down from the tank. I don't know why- the huge picture mural behind them shows about a dozen soldiers sitting on top of a tank.

Exploring a coding machine.

There is a Navy feel through out the museum.
The battleship grey and the steel stairs had the feeling of a battle ship.

Upstairs this statue of the 5 Sullivan Brothers greets us.

Evaluations are filled out at the end.
We only had time to touch on a few things.
Leaving plenty to come back and explore and learn.

If you don't already know the story of the Sullivan Brothers, I encourage you to do a some research. Kelly Sullivan Loughren, the granddaughter and grandniece lives and teaches right here in Cedar Falls! Check out Kelly on YouTube.

Take care and take pictures,
Kim

Park Farm Winery

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

My coworker, Ann, and I were talking about fall leaf gazing trips the other day. She mentioned the Park Farm Winery that is located in her old neck of the woods. I asked my friend, Mary, if she wanted to go with me to find it. It was a gorgeous day for a drive as we set out.

We see the distinctive barn and knew we were in the right place.

Looking north we gaze at the vineyard.

Feelings of Tuscany come to mind as we take a closer look at the grapes.
The leaves are about at peak.

They are open for tasting...and buying.

Mary opens the beautiful doors.

The tasting room is a busy place.

Mary looked at the pictures.
I didn't have the chance. Next time.

Looking out the west windows at the scene from Italy....I mean Iowa.

Displayed like art are some of the offerings of Park Farm.

The barrel room seems pretty full.

We tasted whites and reds and chose a couple to bring home.

I always stop for pictures of fungi.


Relaxing the afternoon away. People brought their own picnic snacks.
The band was setting up. It was very peaceful and soothing.

Almost the best time of day for pictures.
See what a slight turn of the camera does for lighting?



Mary show good composition in these last two frames.The contrasts of the landscape, the motion of lines, lighting and texture
is what makes these pictures stand out.
Thanks Mary for taking these. I am proud to say that
I didn't jerk to a stop while saying..."Mary get the shot!"

Each season has plenty of opportunity for great pictures.
Get out there and take some,
-Kim

Klunker's Krit @ Camp Ingawanis

Saturday, October 13th, 2008, Camp Ingawanis

Klunker's Krit

Jeremy demonstrates how to roll over the 12" log. Too bad they have to go up hill not downhill

Tom and Paul peel out from the start. Yukon is serving as ref.

Takes plenty of muscle to heave the klunkers over the log.

A rolling log gathers no moss...none the less... Yukon doesn't like it.

The starting point has now been moved back as per the race directors.

Past the log is the left hand turn then a right to head toward the nurse's cabin.

Sometimes you get distracted...by others. Good one Rob.
Jumping back on then back up the hill.

Looks like a cross race to me.

Good job!

We have a winner.

What a fun race. I took a turn with my sister and John.
The only way to beat her is when she has a fracture in her vertebrae.
Heal on sister.

Take care and take pictures.
-Kim

Ingawanis Mountain Bike Fat Tire Festival 2008

Here are a few pictures from Sundays race at Camp Ingawanis.
I rode the race backwards to catch the racers whiz past me.
They went so fast that they seemed but a blur.
A pleasure to watch in the sanctuary like setting.

And they're off.

Steve always makes it look easy. 2nd place.

I wasn't able to get a good picture of Scott and Steve pass through these trees.
I had to get off and walk through. Just wide enough for the handle bars.
The guys blasted through as if they were on a 6 foot wide trail.

Bruce among the towering trees.

Sara with a beautiful backdrop of autumn leaves.

Going through the minor rock garden.

I am not the only one watching the race.

Kristin is headed toward the front of camp.


Some of the course is fairly technical.

After the race its time to acknowledge the winners.
They pick out their prices...sometimes with help from their advisers.

It was a beautiful race.

Here are pictures from the spring run, tt and race.
It was a great weekend. The guys serving on race committee put in tons of hours which you could tell by how smooth everything ran.

Till the next race,
Take care and take lots of pictures before the leaves are down,
Kim