AWSOM Photo Album Clarification?!

Each of the following posts on the blog may look the same and it may even appear they are identical, yet they're not. There are 5 photo albums of pictures taken along the route and feel free to check out any, all or none as the mood strikes. Each one is different and people have been asking me "What was you're favorite part?" That would have been like asking my mother "Which is your favorite kid?" Answer "It depends on the day! Enjoy!"

Invitation to view MellowYellow's Picasa Web Album - 48 States, 30 Days, 2 Wheels, 1 Flamingo

You are invited to view MellowYellow's photo album: 48 States, 30 Days, 2 Wheels, 1 Flamingo 48 States, 30 Days, 2 Wheels, 1 Flamingo Oct 4, 2009 by MellowYellow View Album Play slideshow Message from MellowYellow: Most of these pics have already been posted on the 48 States AWSOM Trip Blog! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=MellowYellow1800&target=ALBUM&id=5388653619277429729&authkey=Gv1sRgCMPtyYmPkIezHA&invite=CNDE4oYB&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Invitation to view MellowYellow's Picasa Web Album - AWSOM 48 States in 30 Days on 2 Wheels with 1 Flamingo Tour

You are invited to view MellowYellow's photo album: AWSOM 48 States in 30 Days on 2 Wheels with 1 Flamingo Tour AWSOM 48 States in 30 Days on 2 Wheels with 1 Flamingo Tour Oct 8, 2009 by MellowYellow Dr Clair, co-owner of East Stroudsburg Veterinary Hospital and former AWSOM Board of Director member, is taking some of our Flamingo Fly-By Fundraising Flock on a national awareness tour to hit all the lower 48 states to increase awareness and funding for AWSOM. While posting to Twitter,Facebook,Blogger and other sites, Dr Clair will be using Picasa Web Albums to store picture images. Feel free to follow along! View Album Play slideshow Message from MellowYellow: The first segment of the AWSOM 48 States Ride and the beginning of what has turned out to be a chance of a lifetime ride, but hopefully not the last one,eh?! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=MellowYellow1800&target=ALBUM&id=5390093254828807217&authkey=Gv1sRgCPXig63GvoKcTQ&invite=CMrqr-UL&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Invitation to view MellowYellow's Picasa Web Album - AWSOM Tour Resumes After Crash Occurs

You are invited to view MellowYellow's photo album: AWSOM Tour Resumes After Crash Occurs AWSOM Tour Resumes After Crash Occurs Oct 15, 2009 by MellowYellow 48 states in 30 days? Does that include the 3 days down time getting the bike road-worthy again? We'll decide later since there is not an organizing body overseeing this attempt! View Album Play slideshow Message from MellowYellow: There seem to be a ridiculous amount of pictures but just suffer through and I hope you find a couple that interest you enough to plan your own Awesome Adventure? If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=MellowYellow1800&target=ALBUM&id=5393048803645529921&authkey=Gv1sRgCKuO1dzv5_XBBw&invite=CKzH6NIL&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Invitation to view MellowYellow's Picasa Web Album - 3rd AWSOM Trip Album/250 Pictures Each Big Enough

You are invited to view MellowYellow's photo album: 3rd AWSOM Trip Album/250 Pictures Each Big Enough 3rd AWSOM Trip Album/250 Pictures Each Big Enough Oct 24, 2009 by MellowYellow This will be the 3rd AWSOM Nationwide Flamingo Fly-By on Two Wheels Fundraising Album. I figure that other 2 albums each contain 250 pictures or so, which is plenty big enough to sit through at 1 time. This 3rd AWSOM Album starts in the morning of our Caliente, Nevada departure and goes South to Mexico! View Album Play slideshow Message from MellowYellow: Hope you enjoy seeing more of this Awesome Country of ours. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=MellowYellow1800&target=ALBUM&id=5396169279386724833&authkey=Gv1sRgCPSD95Sxi5O2cg&invite=CNfCjdoD&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Invitation to view MellowYellow's Picasa Web Album - The 4th AWSOM Trip Album, Sorry So Many Pics!

You are invited to view MellowYellow's photo album: The 4th AWSOM Trip Album, Sorry So Many Pics! The 4th AWSOM Trip Album, Sorry So Many Pics! The US of A! - Nov 5, 2009 by MellowYellow Sorry for the plethora of pictures from this trip but I'm having entirely too much fun and never took a class in photo editting to narrow the albums down to a more manageable size! You'll just have to suffer and muddle through some chaff to find the real worthy kernels! View Album Play slideshow Message from MellowYellow: Wanted to send the link to all the photos of the AWSOM 48 States Ride so people can see some of this Awesome Country of ours I've experienced over the last month! Sorry for so many?! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=MellowYellow1800&target=ALBUM&id=5400842494581230913&authkey=Gv1sRgCI2DzpXMsYK9zAE&invite=CMKQzLAB&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Check Out the Hot Wheels Car!

I tried to post this rare yellow Chevy Impala Hot Wheels car yesterday with no luck! This is a one of a kind car and I think you know why! I saw this guy bearing down on me in my rearview mirror and barely had time to get the Flip Video out and caught a side shot as he blew by! Those of you who know me well realize I'm a sucker for virtually any yellow car but then you add flames and I'm a goner, even if it is an Impala? Hey, it was a mostly monotonous day, especially when you stick mostly to the Interstate highway system. To really see this AWSOM country of ours, one needs to stay away from the safety and speed offered on the main highways and do a little back roads exploring to really get a feel for the area. When travelling by Interstate I feel as though you can't really tell what state you're even in at most exits as they've all gotten so homogenous with the same cross section of gas stations, convenience stores and fast food chains. When time permits, explore the back roads and find your own gems!

My Daughter Amber and I at the Beach!

Guess which one of us doesn't do the beach much! The hint would be motorcycle boots, long pants and an insulated long sleeve top! Bingo! I never was much for sand, surf and sun; it's nice to visit but wouldn't want to live there. Always have preferred the mountains and snow/cooler weather over anything else. Trips like this AWSOM ride are always a cool opportunity for me to visit some places for shorter periods before getting back home to the mountains, though after this trip I realize what we call the "Pocono Mountains" aren't really mountains in the strictest sense! Have had a great visit with my daughter Amber and new son-in-law John in Pensacola,Florida but the road beckons? Plus, when your daughter does your wash, folds your clothes and lays them out for you it may be a hint that the newlyweds are ready for Dad to migrate North! I've visited 30 states in the US, 2 states in Mexico, travelled 8,800 miles so far but still have 18 more states to visit and who knows how many more miles before getting home? I'm scheduled to be back at work by November 16 so we'll sign off for tonight and get some rest before our return leg starts! Don't forget the AWSOM ribbon-cutting at the soon to be open animal shelter is Friday November 13 and I'd like to be home for that!

Room with a View!

So far 8800 miles, 30 states, 2 countries and 1 AWSOM view! Got a $50
room in Vicksburg Mississippi on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
River looking out on a very impressive river crossing and trying to
envision the first explorers arriving here in the days before bridges
and such!? This area has been pounded with rain this year and water
levels seem high throughout the South! Sorry for the choppy video
edit, too long according to Apple! You only missed my panning out to
the next door Waffle House, another great American institution!

Yet Another Southern Delicacy!

Yes, we owe a great debt to The South for introducing the rest of us to such indescribable delicacies as RC Cola and Moon Pie, Dr Pepper, the Praline(disputed by the French) and of course Stuckey's Pecan Log Roll. There however has been little recognition of the Moon Pies little bastard brother, Uncle Al's Lemon Planks! Appropriately, in Shreveport,Louisiana outside The Soap Opera laundramat Dr Clair had the opportunity to sample this regional delight and is happy to report that it will likely remain a regional delight! Whoever chose the descriptive "planks" obviously tried this pastry(?) before settling on such an appropriate name, realizing that "Lemon Particle Board" would probably adversely impact the already limited sales! Dr Clair was quick to wash this dessert down with Resurrection Anti-Hangover Energy Drink(seriously) before deciding to stick to his regular diet of his own making on this trip, a Little Debbie Snack Cake with a Red Bull chaser! Connoisseur of fine food this trip, he's not!

The Oklahoma City National Memorial

The Oklahoma City National Memorial on the site of the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is without a doubt one of the most moving memorials that Dr Clair has personally experienced. The magnitude of what took place on this spot ensures that people speak in hushed voices and carry themselves with the respect due the gravity of this site. Dr Clair has been there during the day and on this trip had the opportunity to see the Memorial as it is lit after dark. The gorgeous reflecting pool appears to double the number of chairs representing each individual lost in this senseless act of domestic terrorism. Having previously visited the National Museum and spent nearly an entire day learning more about this site, Dr Clair was free during this visit to just walk about and linger when and where he felt the need. It was nearly impossible to choose an image from the many pictures captured to summarize the site, but Dr Clair finally settled on the quote over the archway leading to the reflecting pool. Feel free to visit the Picasa Web Albums to see more striking images of this incredible site.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

Dr Clair has been to the Cadillac Ranch before, in fact on that trip
he actually made a 900 mile(!) sidetrip just to see this famous
roadside attraction! Today we only had to backtrack 16 miles to see
this neat oddity! There are absolutely no signs directing people here,
nor anything at the spot other than 10 classic Cadillacs buried
nosedown in the Texas plains. People bring along spray cans of paint
and are actually free to paint their name or some witticisms on the
cars! Bye now! PS Sorry for all the wind noise, which is really everpresent in this part of the country!

Jurassic Park? No, Boise City,Oklahoma

The only photos of the massive Apatosaurus/Brontosaurus sculpture were taken after sunset but the profile of the great dinosaur seems even more intimidating when only the outline is visible blocking the horizon! Pretty cool sculpture, now I'll have to do a little digging and sleuthing on the web to see the tie between this part of the West and the great dinosaurs of the Jurassic era!

Say What? Brontosaurus Crossing!

Dr Clair has travelled quite a bit over the years and has amassed quite a collection of road signs warning of various animal crossings from turtles and snakes to bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope but this road sign he encountered outside Boise City, Oklahoma definitely takes the cake for off-the-wall animal signs! Not quite certain of the significance of the warning sign, we nonetheless had to have a photo. Didn't really notice the poor condition of the sign with all the rust until posting to Blogger so maybe the sign has been around since the Jurassic era? Just down the road a bit from this warning sign however there was a massive life-size steel sculpture of the Brontosaurus, now known as Apatosaurus. There are large Apatosaurus sculptures throughout the West as the Apatosaurus/Brontosaurus is used by the Sinclair Oil Company as their company logo. Since Dr Clair was in a hurry to get to the Colorado border before dark, he failed to get any really good pictures of the sculpture itself and only has photos shot at sunset!? Sorry!

Sonora and Chihuahua Will Make 50 States!

Dr Clair and Toto will sadly be departing Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico tomorrow morning bright and early! They've been the pampered guests of the Talamantes Family and will be sad to be headed back north so soon. Astride the Gold Wing are Maru, Jose and Kenia with Toto. Their own minature schnauzer was too short for the photo opportunity. Dr Clair loves this photo because he's had a chance to get reacquainted with Jose after a 32 year interruption in their own friendship. Jose was a 15 year old Rotary Foreign Exchange student that stayed with the Thompson Family for 3 months in 1976 and attended Jersey Shore Senior High. Jose "found" his good friend Clair on FaceBook only 3 months ago and was pleasantly surprised when Dr Clair and Toto showed up in his hometown with a set of directions that claimed Sonora was the 49th state for this AWSOM Flamingo 49 States in However Many Days It Takes Ride! The motorcycle accident in Wyoming lent new perspective to this trip and our adventurers have decided to slow the pace and smell the coffee, so to speak. Also the 48 state thing sounded kind of awkward when we all know there are 50 states so our travellers are adding the states of Sonora and appropriately Chihuahua(!) to make it 50 States and those of you who are hung up on technicalities may want to just stop following this blog then! What Dr Clair really likes about this photo is the show of support AWSOM enjoys in Mexico! Check out the AWSOM hat on Jose and the Liz-Tech Flamingo pin of Kenia's sleeve! Jose gives a Thumbs-Up BY COINCIDENCE ? A Dr Clair Trademark if ever there is one, check the photo gallery for proof!

A Happy Turista in Mexico!

After 3 cups of good strong Mexican java for breakfast this morning, you wouldn't expect Dr Clair to be quite so excited about a "caffeine truck" near the central plaza in downtown Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico but then once a caffeine addict, always a caffeine addict! This foto was probably taken just moments before he realized IT WAS CLOSED for business!? What's with that? Also the picture does not show that the Caffenio truck was blocking the view of the Yoga Center!? Dr Clair didn't even bother to check if the Yoga Center was open, like he ever would be caught dead doing yoga and hopes that photos of that one time he did try hot yoga(?) never see the light of day!

Understatement!

I was told by multiple people that the approach road to Grand Canyon West, the site of the Grand Canyon Skyway, was only paved part of the way and the rest was packed dirt and gravel. Well, it was packed into a motocross washboard with whoop-de-doos and the dust was so bad you couldn't see the vehicle in front of you! Discovered the best way to attack the rough road was standing on the pegs, motocross style, which is a bit unconventional for a Gold-Winger! Had I known how bad it was, I would still do it all over again but would have left my electronics like laptop and stuff back at the motel. I'm actually pleasantly suprised that everything still seems to work ok despite the rough handling. Took a helicopter ride over and into the Grand Canyon, an AWESOME experience! Also visited the Skyway and was photographed pretending to climb over the railing like a BASE jump but the Toyota jump turned out to be the best picture! There was lots of AWSOM interest today and sold 2 Liz-Tech flamingo pins to workers at the Route 66 Visitors Center. Passed out lots of postcards and the other people on the chopper with me were bull terrier breeders from New Zealand in the States for a big bully show in San Jose, California. Still managed 450 miles today and in Tucson tonight poised for an early start for Hermosillo, Mexico, the home of Jose Talamantes. Jose was a Rotary foreign exchange student that lived with our family in Jersey Shore > 30 years ago and he found me on Face-Book and we're meeting in Mexico tomorrow! Small world really!

Further Death Defying Stunts for AWSOM!

Of all the dangerous stunts Dr Clair has thus performed to raise AWSOM awareness, including but not limited to his recent Flamingo Flyby skydive, his motorcycle crash in Wyoming and yes, he even ate tacos at Jack-In-The-Box restaurants out West; by far the most dangerous stunt to date has to be pulling off the Las Vegas Freeway mid-day to get this picture!!!! Dr Clair and his flamingo companion Toto skipped most of Sin City's temptations to stay on schedule(not really), but driving on the freeway they saw overhead signs for FLAMINGO ROAD and screeched to a halt for this very dangerous photo-op! Many of you have commented at the dangers of Dr Clair shooting video while driving his motorcycle, yet won't recognize the danger inherent in trusting other drivers not to run Dr Clair, Toto and the Gold Wing over while rushing to the casino to play Keno or craps! Our fearless adventurers quickly got the "film in the can" as they say and were off for less dangerous stunts such as driving over London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona! Stay tuned for "The Further Mis-Adventures of Dr Clair and Toto" as they head for Mexico!

Cliff and Sharon BASE the Bridge Together!

Message from Dr Clair D Thompson II:

FIRST! DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF HEIGHTS! I met Sharon and Cliff(!?) today at the Perrine Bridge over the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho. This bridge is the only legal BASE jumping spot 365 days a year in the United States. Other spots are open 1 day per year for big carnival, festival type days such as Bridge Day in West Virginia which attracts > 450 BASE jumpers from around the world and brings over 250,000 people there for the weekend festivities. The Perrine Bridge is noted for being half as high with twice the landing area and no waiting times for jumping. At the New River people wait 6-8 hours for the chance to jump once! The woman in this video has had days when she jumped off this bridge 26(!) times in 1 day! They are from San Diego, which explains why they look so cold and they drive up here for a week at a time! Oh yeah, I assume Cliff is not his real name? Too catchy for a BASE jumper?!

Click on a video below to watch it:

	San Diego Simul-BASE Video Length 1:52 Click here to watch

To learn more about the Flip Video Camcorder, click here.

BASE Jumpers in Idaho!

Just happened to be driving across Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls,Idaho
and caught glimpse of person climbing over the bridge railing to BASE
jump this 486 foot high bridge! Again, you never know what roadside
treasures are waiting out here for us! I'll try to post video of
jumping later!

Made it to WallaWalla Yesterday!

Finally made it to the far northwest leg of our trip in Washington state at WallaWalla before turning back Southeast to get our return leg of trip started. Pictures may be at a premium since I discovered last night that I forgot my camera charger and battery pack in Baker City at The Oregon Trail Motel! Trying to locate a replacement and my best odds may be staying in Boise until stores open at 9am because I'm headed South through Nevada on Route 93 for a rather isolated leg of the trip. Not much chance of finding a charger in the desert and mountains of east-central Nevada!

World Center for Birds of Prey

When travelling, we occassionally come across the truly unexpected jewel that you'll always remember and treasure. Dr Clair picked up a brochure at his motel for The Peregrine Fund and their World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise,Idaho. Since not too far off his route, he stopped by for a quick visit and was absolutely delighted at such a fantastic find! Dr Clair wound up spending an entire afternoon learning about the center and their efforts at captive breeding and falconry! Though seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the facility is obviously very well funded as evidenced by their property and buildings. Specifically not a raptor rehabilitator, the center is very active in captive breeding programs for the endangered California Condor and other birds of prey. Dr Clair enjoyed their separate building devoted entirely to the history and sport of falconry through the ages. As a wrap-up to the afternoon, there was a session of freeflighting some of the birds including gyrfalcon, previously endangered peregrine falcon and the ubiquitous little falcon, the American kestrel. Dr Clair will never forget having a peregrine falcon swooping low overhead, barely an arms length away, and knowing that part of the success for their population resurgence is due to The Peregrine Fund. Above all, Dr Clair recognizes that this gorgeous, well funded center and well trained staff were started one day with just an idea and a grass roots movement of dedicated people committed to seeing their efforts succeed and literally "Take-Off!" One can't help but recognize the parallels to our own organization,AWSOM, and the endless possibilities that can result with peristence, dedication and funding. We need to keep our sights and goals set high in order to succeed!

Old Faithful is AWSOM!

Message from Dr Clair D Thompson II:

Hung around the Old Faithful viewing area long enough for the 2nd eruption and had a chance to meet people and talk about the trip and the animal shelter. Had to wing it as I'd left all my postcards back in the room! Listen closely and you'll hear unprompted Awesome! comments from my new friends. The people from Colorado had lived there all their lives and this was their 1st trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons. Sometimes people aren't even aware what they have literally in their own backyards! Still trying to increase local AWSOM awareness at home!

Click on a video below to watch it:

	Old Faithful Was AWESOME! Video Length 1:49 Click here to watch

To learn more about the Flip Video Camcorder, click here.