Monument Valley - Utah November 19th 2012

The Four Corners is a region of the United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah.  It is the only location in the United States where four states meet. The majority of the Four Corners region is part of semi-autonomous Native Americans, the largest of which is the Navajo Nation, followed by Hopi, Ute and Zuni tribal reserves and nations.

The Mexican Hat

 Monument Valley (Navajo: Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, valley of the rocks) is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterised by a cluster of large sandstone buttes, the largest reaching around 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. It is located on the Arizona-Utah state line, near the Four Corners area. The valley lies within the range of the Navajo Nation Reservation.

The View Hotel in monument valley is where the ancient and the contemporary can be viewed every morning. As  we looked from our room the iconic formations of the world famous Mittens stand there in full view. We had the unobstructed, unspoiled views of the sandstone monuments sculptered by the wind and rain over the centuries. We felt so close, that we could almost reach out and touch the massive monuments in the Navajo landscape.

 

Grand Canyon - Arizona November 18th 2012

The Grand Canyon has been carved out to the living rock by the Colorado River, and is considered one of the "7 Natural Wonders of the World".

 The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide at its widest point. It attains a depth of over 1 mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 metres). Nearly two billion years of geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River has cut a channel through layers of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted.

We stayed in a Hotel complex in the Canyon National Park on the south side of the canyon. The accommodation was basic but served its purpose. The best place to eat in the park is the El Tovar Hotel, which has a small bar that faces the canyon and is perfect for watching the sunset.

Montezuma Castle - Arizona - 17th November 2012

Montezuma Castle National Monument is a must see destination for  tourists travelling from Phoenix towards Flagstaff in Arizona. In 1933, a 45-50 room, pueblo ruin was excavated, uncovering a wealth of artifacts and telling the story of the Sinagua people who inhabited this oasis along Beaver Creek for over 400 years.

Early visitors to the monument were allowed access to the structure by climbing a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs. However, due to extensive damage to this valuable cultural landmark, public access of the ruins was discontinued in 1951.

Now, approximately 350,000 people a year gaze through the the windows of the past during a visit to Montezuma Castle. Even 600 years after their departure, the legacy of the Sinagua people continues to inspire the imaginations of this and future generations.

Cardboard Boat Race - 3rd September 2012

Invitational Cardboard Boat Race benefiting the central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

 

The cardboard boat race is an annual event at the IVY Club, with all benefits going to "The Alzheimer's Association" during 2012.

The event raised $2,245 for the local Alzheimer's chapter.

 

The Titanic, from National Marine, capsized immediately.

Four other cardboard contestants paddled off for a race that had an exciting finish.

Togas to Go, an entry from the IVY Club with Carrie Grimwade as Captain, held off the Polar Plunger, a cardboard catamaran from the East Peoria Boat Club. Finishing third was Margaritaville, another IVY Club entry, featuring Ken and Wendi Ramsay.



 

Pre-Race Photo Call

The Winning Team

The Titanic picked up another prize: the Titanic award presented annually to the first boat that sinks.

The Woodstock, a VW bus entry from the Peoria Boat Club, finished second in the best-of-show category. The hippie entry finished fourth in the race but overturned shortly before the finish line, displaying the word, "help," on the underside of the boat.





The close Finish



 

 

 

 

 

Memphis Tennessee - August 2012

Some of the main reasons to visit Memphis are to tour the music scene in 'Beale Street', and to visit the 'Civil Rights' museum formally the 'Lorraine Hotel'; and the place where 'Martin Luther King' was murdered.

 

Beale Street is located in downtown Memphis, and runs from the Mississippi River to East Street. It is has significant location in the city's history, as well as in the history of the blues. The blues clubs and restaurants that line Beale Street are major attraction in Memphis.

 

Our first stop was 'Silky O'Sullivan's - The building was once a Bar and gambling saloon with as many as 14 Bar Tenders working at any one time. It was constructed around 100 years ago.



Silky O'Sullivan's famous Irish Bar on Beale Street

 

 

The 'Blues Hall Juke Joint' is a great place to visit. They as their name suggests play Blues. The Drinks were a reasonable price, the music just great, and the ambiance amasing. The building looks like it was once a home to a past family, with the wall paper peeling and paint work flaking, it also has a host of memorabilia around the walls. This all adds to the experience. I would definitely recommend this as a place to visit to any music fan.

 

 

The 'Rendezvous Resturant' is owned by Charles Vergos. Charles started his restaurant business in the basement of the building in 1948 using a Coal Chute to grill his meats. It is now world famous.

 

In the past it was visited by the famous band 'The Rolling Stones', and it was reported that they were refused access due to their attire not being suitable. It seems they went back to their hotel and changed clothes and on returning they were permitted access. We checked the story with our waiter who confirmed this as true. He also advised that the 'Stones' always visit when they return to the USA.

 

The BBQ ribs were spectacular, definitely a place to visit when in Memphis.

We took a short walk of around 8 blocks to the 'Lorraine Hotel'. This was the site where the famous civil rights activist 'Martin Luther King' was murdered when leaving his hotel room (Number 306) on April 4th 1968. Today the Hotel is a 'Civil Rights Museum'. You need at least 2 hours to make the tour.

This was a real moving experience, and definitely a place I will remember for a very long time.

Below are numerous pictures taken inside the museum.

Balcony outside room 306 where Martin Luther King was murdered.

Klu Klux Klan Outfit





Original Signage that shows the segregation that took place



 

Outside the Musical Museum. This is one place I did not feel was value as a tourist spot

Well you can guess what is on the menu...... Beef!!!!!

Bass-Pro in a Pyramid - What ever next!!!

It was the 35th anniversary of 'Elvis Presley's' death while we were in Memphis, and many bars had signs saying he was visiting. Despite returning to many of these bars to see Elvis, it took 11/2 days before we managed to catch up with him.

One bar was hosting an Elvis day but wanted an entrance fee of $25 each. Of course this was too much so we went to a blues bar. After a few hours we returned to find the door attendant not there so we went straight in. I have to confirm all the rumours that...... Elvis is not dead, he was cloned into many Elvis's all of which performed for our entertainment.