Thread Of Positive Awesomeness

That's probably because it's not a western or cowboy film, Ducks - it's a murder drama set in a modern Boston (Bohr-stun) - but was directed and scored by Eastwood. Good film, albeit not an "easy" watch.

 

This eagle really is flying upside down.

 

A packed lunch.

 

I'll lower the standards for you, featuring Tab Hunter, & Devine

 

No worries, @Duckadiledundee. It isn't a Western and Clint Eastwood isn't in it. He directed, produced, and scored it. It's based on a mystery novel (my favorite genre).

 

Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), Sichuan, China.

 

All the talk about the west and National Parks like Mesa Verde, prompted me to take a contemplative look back and reflect on the US National Parks I've visited since my first trip out to the USA in 1979. On that trip I "discovered" what was, I think, the "Golden Eagle Pass" which provided 'free' entrance to most National Parks. Actually, the discovery was more like advice as I was told by an American friend that, since my plans included visits to a number of National Parks it would almost certainly prove to be cheaper to buy the pass ...... ever the cheapskate, me! I think at the time the pass was $10.00. Imagine.

Over the 40 years (JEEZ - where did THEY go?) since that first visit, at different times and on many different occasions, I've stood in silent awe on both north and south rims of the Grand Canyon at sunset and sunrise. I've seen the sheer, stark grey face of El Capitan in Yosemite glow in the soft, cold light of a full autumn moon. I've seen Crater Lake without a single ripple on its flat, flawless blue surface - so perfectly still and smooth that it was utterly impossible to distinguish the line of the surface from the reflection of the caldera's rim. I've had VERY close encounters - and I mean at a distance of about 10 feet - with wild bears in Great Smokey Mountains and California Redwoods Parks; watched a large porcupine waddle casually past me, perhaps 20 feet away, in a Yellowstone Park meadow, and learned why it's sensible to keep shoes or trainers (NOT flip-flops!!) on when taking that late night trip to an unlit washroom in a Yosemite Valley campground ...... the two other guys in there ran out at breakneck speed when my torch picked out a scorpion within four inches of my right shoe as I stood taking a pee!! I've stood and watched almost half a million bats emerge from Carlsbad Caverns like a living, swirling black cloud; and I've waited patiently and nervously (I was on a motorcycle, and there was nothing else on the road!) while bison strolled lazily across the highway a few feet in front of me in Grand Teton. And, of course, it goes without saying that I have seen and enjoyed some of the world's most spectacular sights and scenery from towering mountains to immensely deep canyons. And all for a few dollars. The greatest show on earth?

Since that first visit in 1979, and from Arches to Zion, I've been to 27 National Parks - though, of those 27, four of them weren't National Park Service run at the time but have become so since. It transpires that I've visited the oldest (Yellowstone) and the newest (Gateway Arch). I've also taken in at least 10 National Monuments - including the one mentioned and pictured earlier in this thread, Canyon de Chelly, which prompted my reflective musings!

The US National Park Service is, in my humble opinion, arguably THE greatest single, national institution run by the US administration. It probably costs an infeasible amount to operate and maintain but the loss of it would be at an unimaginable scale to the population and to humanity if it were ever to be disbanded, sold off or otherwise changed in terms of its remit.

If you are planning a visit to the US, try to include a visit to a National Park or Monument - it will almost certainly be worth any diversion.

p.s. I know this probably shouldn't be in the thread of positive awesomeness, but perhaps you'll permit the temporary hijacking for a post of "positively awestruckness"?

 

One for Sandi

 

Fully deserves to be in this thread IMO.

 

Do you think this K75 has a problem?

 

Aye, it seems to be running a bit cooler on the front (#1?) cylinder

 

Yeah it’s the lettering above the exhaust

 

I remember this incident well, in Tucson Arizona, Democrat Politician Gabrielle Gifford was shot and wounded on January 8th 2011, what you may not know is that she is also a biker pictured with her old cheese grater [side panel design] R75 BMW

 

Don, being a Tucsonan, I most certainly know all about Gabby Giffords and the incident where she and others were shot and some killed. I did not know that she was a biker! Thanks for the info--and the terrific photo. Well before he became my husband, Mr. Sandi and some friends met Gabby one night just coincidentally at an iconic local bar near the U of Arizona years ago. He said she was personable, delightful, and totally down to earth. What happened to her is truly tragic. The site of the shooting is about five miles from where I live.

 

Changbai Shan, Jilin Province, China, on the Chinese/North Korean border. This is Tianchi (heavenly lake), a two million year old crater. The volcano is still active.


The waterfall draining the crater lake. A magnificent sight in winter, when all is frozen. I had winter pictures, but they sadly disappeared with the ex-wife. As the water that comes down from the crater is still hot, the warm stream in the valley steams up the trees, which then become like frozen statues.

 

What a crying shame. VW'S sitting there wasting when they should be on the road in the hands of a true blue Hippie. Split screen models aswel. Its sacrilegious.
Happy New Year.
Joe

 

Duckadiledundee.
God you remind me of my Dad. I was never a full blown Hippie but wanted to be. All my mates and I had hair down to our waist's And bellbottoms. We were well laid out and had great parties. Peeps this was when I did drink. Love and peace was the order of the day and night. Sometimes I never knew who was dating who. My Dad called us all heathens and hooligans which I never understood as we harmed no one and helped anyone who needed it. I say power to the people.
Happy New Year.

Joe.​

 

Sorry Dad. Promise I will change and be good.
Rock on my Brother peace and long life to all.
Joe.