Advice from Pappy

Lone Star Rally, 2007

Our map team was literally blown away by the 2007 Lone Star Rally held on Galveston Island, Texas. It is (in fact) the largest motorcycle rally on the planet; larger than Sturgis, larger than Daytona Bike Week. In its 7th year, the event attracted over 400,000 bikers over a 4-day period. The 2007 Rally happened November 1-4. The photo above shows The Strand area of Galveston with bikes of all description lining the street. If you ever have a chance to attend this fabulous event, we totally recommend it, even if you don't have a motorcycle as it's very entertaining and loads of fun. A brief video
HERE!

10 Foot Horns

Texas Longhorns and their amazing horns.
Check out the video
HERE!

Stadium

The largest stadium ever built is now under construction in Texas. Check it out!

Dallas Nite Lights

Perhaps no city lights up their buildings at night better than Dallas, Texas. A brief video below:

Oklahoma City National Memorial

In Oklahoma City, on April 19th, 2005, a huge terrorist bomb exploded outside of the Murrah Federal Building. In an instant 168 lives were lost, including children. This unspeakable tragedy is remembered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. If you ever travel to this part of the world, we recommend a visit to this inspiring place. There's a brief video below.

Pumpkinfest

"Pumkinfest" in St. Joseph, Missouri, is an annual event that attracts kids of all ages. It serves as an exciting prelude to Halloween, with a parade and lots of activities for one and all.

Baseball Hero

There's a museum in Fargo, North Dakota, that rightfully honors its hometown hero, New York Yankee outfielder Roger Maris, best known for hitting sixty-one home runs in 1961. His 61 in '61 set a new major league record, breaking Babe Ruth's previous mark of 60 hit in 1927. And he did it without drugs (steroids), and remains one of baseball's true hero's. The video below is a well-worn film of his epic home run.

The Apartment

For a short time in 1959, in an apartment on the second level of this building in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, lived one Robert Zimmerman. He worked as a bus boy in a local restaurant until he discovered music and changed his name to Bob Dylan.

The Menu

You know you're in a small town in America when the local cafe posts their lunch menu right in the middle of Main Street. Welcome to Rutland, North Dakota, where the spaghetti, salad and garlic toast ($4.00, thank you very much) was quite delicious.

The Saw

At a country-style wedding in northern Minnesota I heard my first "saw player," and I must say the experience was a bit hard on my virgin Blue Grass ears. What do you think?

The Mall

On of the most amazing shopping experiences anywhere, so pack up the kids and head to this Bloomington, Minnesota mall.

Apple Vending Machine

In the Minneapolis International Airport one can purchase the usual things from vending machines, you know....aspirin, candy and other snacks, soda, water, and the like, but I've never seen an iPod vending machine till now. And yes, it even will even sell you the brand new, must-have iPod Touch. What a world we live in!

The Bridge

Along the way we will cross many a bridge, but this one across the Mississippi River has a special meaning.

A Great View

Traveling across Wisconsin on our way to Minneapolis I came to a screeching-halt along the highway. The view in sight was simply stunning as maple trees were beginning to show their fall colors. The video is short but worth a look. As for the noise, trucks were whizzing by at full speed, but I just had to capture the scene.

The Wave

Ok now, you live in northern Wisconsin and you really want to enjoy a Caribbean vacation, but you're a little short on cash. Is there a solution? Of course there is. Checkout the "Great Wave" video shot in Wisconsin Dells.

Packerland

How do you know when you are in the football-crazy State of Wisconsin? I think the T-shirt provides the answer quite well.

Road Trip

Today is (rainy) Monday, October 1, 2007, and from our hotel room in Chicago we're about to begin our long mapping journey across the US. We've rented one of those large American SUV's, and it barely, and I mean barely, holds our luggage, and electronics. Speaking of items that need to be charged, check out the video below as it shows some of our gear. God, I hope we don't lose our cables.