April through June, 2014

The Southeastern Loop

Never one to miss a parade, Gary happened to make a left onto Main Street to find himself behind a specially painted FedEx semi carrying the Wankel Tyrannosaurus Rex on the start of its journey to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Many of the local citizens who waved and took pictures of the truck and accompanying vehicles filled with dignitaries and staff from the Museum of the Rockies, Smithsonian and Army Corps of Engineers are probably still wondering who the mystery guest was.

The highlight of this quarter was our trip around the southeastern US. On this 6,000 mile journey we did not take the route originally planned due to weather (primarily tornados), and spent many evenings planning the next day's route based on weather reports. We visited friends and family as well as touring Dinosaur Monument, Natchez, New Orleans, Biloxi, Mobile, Montgomery, the Huntsville Space Center, Goats on the Roof (see picture), the “birth” of a Cabbage Patch doll, a great Cincinnati Reds Game, the Dayton Air Force Museum and many other sights we happened upon. In many of the southern cities we toured civil rights monuments and were especially impressed by the Rosa Parks Museum.

Getting caught up after our trip consumed several weeks. On the last day of the quarter, we were treated to the sight of a deer with velvet antlers grazing with two Sandhill Cranes. The cranes were probably taking advantage of insects the deer stirred up while eating the grass.

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