I am in Dayton Ohio this weekend – my hometown.
This morning my friend Corey and I toured two historic cemeteries. Both have headstones dating back to the early 1800 and both are the final resting places for famous Daytonians like Erma Bombeck and The Wright Brothers.
I of course didn’t take pictures of the famous headstones…
Calvary Cemetery – Dayton Ohio
I took the pictures that caught my eye….
Angel
My lifelong friend Chelley Seibert gave a TED talk today at TED x Dayton 2015.
Chelley Seibert – TED x Dayton 2015
She was entertaining, inspiring and encouraging. As a retired police officer Chelley shared her thoughts on how police officers and members of the community can heal much of the hurt that has occurred.
Chelley Seibert
She humanized the police and reminded us that all people that join the force were something else before they chose to put on that uniform. She did not make excuses for poor police behavior, but she did give us a reason to look at the police with different eyes and maybe even with compassion.
TED x Dayton 2015
At lunch Chelley and Dayton Officer Jermar Rayford entertained the audience by showing off their dance moves. If the Electric Slide and The Nay Nay don’t help humanize the police force, I’m not sure what could!
Chelley & Officer Jermar Rayford
A bunch of these little guys lived at the lake behind our hotel – in Ruidoso NM
They are called American Coots. I love that name!! They are cute and have a goofy name…that makes me smile!
American Coot
American Coot
American Coot
They were a little challenging to snap pictures of. Every time I tried to get a little closer they would take off running, then flying into the lake.
American Coots fleeing the paparazzi
A few pictures of the scenery between Ruidoso and Albuquerque New Mexico.
New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico
On our way home from Albuquerque we stopped in Amarillo Texas and visited the Cadillac Ranch. Its one of those places no one builds their vacation around. But if you are in the neighborhood you should certainly stop by and check out this odd site of 10 Cadillacs each buried nose down.
Tina and I left our mark….by spray painting our wedding anniversary on one of the cars…
TnT
Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo TX
While in Ruidoso New Mexico we spotted this wall. It only took a few minutes for Sonya to figure out it was an opportunity to share her natural flair.
Yesterday we watched the Mass Ascension of balloons at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Today we chased balloons!
We chased them across town….
Through neighborhoods….
Through the trees….
Over hills….
Along the mountain range….
And my favorite, beyond the cows….
We watched them land….
We watched them deflate….
We watched them work to secure the balloons….
And finally, fold the balloons so they could be packed away for the next trip….
It was quite the adventure. The excitement of spotting a balloon then racing in its direction in hopes of seeing it land. Of course I had the added excitement of trying to get to the balloons in time to take pictures.
I actually climbed part way out the sunroof, as Tina drove, so I could get pictures….what a blast!
We attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta today. Here are some of my favorite shots.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Balloon Fiesta 2015 – Mass Ascension
Mountain Field – Ruidoso NM
The Mountain View – Ruidoso NM
My final photo from our trip to Waxahachie Texas…Apparently this is the courthouse squirrel…I just thought he was cute!
Conversations Around the Tree 