Bell Rock at Sunset

Sedona, Arizona.

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History In Pavement

Prescott, Arizona.

Technorati tags: travel, arizona, prescott, pavement, sidewalk, history

Misty Morning Dawn

Friday morning, 6:00 a.m. Huntington Tri-State Airport, West Virginia

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Bucky O'Neill

"Bucky O'Neill" by Solon Hannibal Borglum (1868-1922). Prescott, Arizona.

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Bustlin'

Silver City, New Mexico.

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More From Biloxi

As I drove along the coastal highway on my way to Pascagoula, I was continually confronted by scenes like this. Here, an Olive Garden was wiped out, and there has been no effort to rebuild it. While large corporate chains simply wrote off their losses and moved on, many of the local businesses have moved to rebuild quickly.

This gas station lays just about 100 yards from the water's edge, so it obviously took the full brunt of the storm surge. And it's not too difficult imagining that the concrete slab was wiped clean and left clean right when the storm hit.

More wiped out businesses from the water's edge. These signs stand out like stripped trees all over the area. Just imagine how awesome the winds were to bend that tall steel pole at the angle it did.

This damaged condo/hotel drew the biggest gasp of awe from me. This is no ancient structure here; it was built more recently. Notice the elevated foundation at ground level. And yet this structure was driven off its pilings and contorted to this position. This is not wind damage, this is storm surge damage. And by the looks of it, the storm surge easily reached the second floor.

I have to reiterate that the rebuilding effort is constant and ongoing. It is only limited by the availability of construction crews to complete the work. I have no doubt that this area will physically recover fully from Katrina. What remains to be seen is how the remaining residents recover emotionally.

Technorati tags: travel, mississippi, biloxi, katrina, rebuilding

Train Stop

Airtrain stop at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey.

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Funniest Song EVAR!

So here I am, sitting on a jet plane flying to Newark today, and I had Adam Curry's Daily Source Code on the player in plugged in my ears. Then he plays this song, and now I'm finding myself trying to stifle the guffaws eminating from within. It's much worse than trying to stifle a sneeze, let me tell ya. So here I am, in my seat, convulsing like some spaz, with tears streaming down my face as I try not to pee my pants. I swear the guy next to me spent the rest of the flight leaning toward the aisle.

Caution: Mature content. Not safe for work.

The FuMP

Technorati tags: podcast, curry, fump, parody, humor

Not My Rental Car

I've had my share of less than perfect rental cars, but I remain quite thankful that none of them were ever like this.

Pastor Rerun, Presiding

Don't get the reference?

Ok. Click here.

Silver City, New Mexico.

6000 Years of Republican Debates

The six thousand years that Phil Plait refers to is the belief held by young earth creationists that the earth is only that old.

Would you believe that in the recent debate of Republican candidates in California, that when asked who does not agree with evolution, no less than 3 candidates raised their hands?

Read more about what Dr. Phil has to say at the link below.

Bad Astronomy Blog - 6000 years of Republican debates

Technorati Tags: antiscience, science, skepticism, politics, bablog

Gulfport Rebuilding

My approach into Gulfport International Airport was from the north, and I was keeping a sharp eye out for areas of damage and rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina 20 months before. I only saw a couple of pockets of homes being rebuilt; not much more than might be considered normal home building in a rapidly growing area. Even as I drove away from the airport, I did not see any outward signs that a devastating storm had hit this area. That is until I made the left turn on to the coastal highway. For the next 45 minutes or so as I drove through neighborhoods, I noticed myself repeatedly saying to myself "holy shit!"

The signs say it all. Destruction, hope, defiance and humor, all in one frame.

The photos in this post were taken along Second Street in Gulfport, Mississippi. Sure there were many properties in much the same condition as they were after the storm, but there were many other houses that were rebuilt or nearly rebuilt as well. There was constant activity no matter where I looked; there is no doubt the area will be rebuilt, it's just a matter of how long it will take. Stay tuned for more scenes from Southern Mississippi.

Technorati tags: travel, mississippi, gulfport, hurricane, katrina, recovery

Red Repose

An old fire truck ages gracefully in Yarnell, Arizona.

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