LBJ Photography Blog
This blog features travel notes and photographs.
Santa Fe, NM
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Santa Fe, NM
Amarillo and a 7-hour drive to Las Cruces. Where should we stop? We remembered the story from friends of the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe and decided to make it our destination. The legend is just as interesting as the staircase:
https://www.lorettochapel.com/info/staircase
Santa Fe did not disappoint. The unique shops are exquisite, and Bonnie, who is not a buyer, did buy.
Palo Duro Canyon -- Amarillo, TX
January 12, 2018
Sunshine, Red Rocks, and Hiking
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Panhandle of Texas
Dubbed the second largest canyon in North America, the majesty of the Grand Canyon falls a little short here at Palo Duro, but it's hard to believe that such a small fork of the Red River could cut a swathe 277 miles, 18 miles wide, and 6,000 ft. deep over the millennia. Most importantly, we enjoyed the hike, the sun, the 50-degree weather as we hiked its floor. Home for the winter in the sun until March.
Skulls Unlimited -- Oklahoma City
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, OK
Skulls Unlimited
What? A privately-owned industry which culls the skin, muscle, tendons, and brains from bones of the tiniest to the largest of animals and then re-assembles the skeletons. All skeletons are legally acquired.
Who? Jay Villenmarette started the evolution of Skulls Inc when at the age of 7 in 1972 he found a dog skull. Fascinated by it, he was encouraged by his father to collect skulls. Today, he and his family of six along with a handful of knowledgable employees clean and re-string bones into skeletons (about 20,000/yr) for museums, schools, and private collectors who want them as trophies. A myriad of skeletons are on display next door at his privately-owned Museum of Osteology.
Where? The factory is in Oklahoma City, but there are two of his unique museums—Orlando and Oklahoma City. No factory tours allowed though—the blood, guts, and smells would turn anyone's stomach!
How? The cleaning begins with cutting and sometimes boiling detritus from the bones, but the stars of the show are the millions of free laborers: carrion beetles whose job it is to finish the cleaning of the bones. Scores of terrariums house these busy workers which remove every bit of anything NOT bone. Lastly, the bones are bathed in a hydrogen peroxide bath.
Clinton Presidential Library
Wednesday, January 10, 2017
A Sideways Glance at the William J Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
Sometimes known as Billy Blythe, Bill Clinton never laid eyes on his biological father who died before Clinton's birth. Our 42nd president formally adopted the surname, Clinton, last name of the only father he ever knew.
The library itself is filled with all types of President Clinton's memorabilia and also promotes the work of the Clinton Foundation. A modern cantilevered structure symbolizing a bridge to the 21st century overlooks the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock and mimics the form of a bridge to ?????
We were awed by the Mandela exhibit, took note of the sacredness of the Anne Frank Garden, took whimsical license in the two White House replica rooms, and noted that both Bill and Hillary experienced similar childhoods to many of us who grew up in the '40's and '50's.
Begin 2018 NM Trip -- Louisville
January 9, 2018
“Bats in the Belfry”
Here we are in Louisville, KY at the Louisville Sluggers Factory. Because the factory floor is a union shop photos were not allowed during the actual production of the bats which we saw. However, with CNC automation, specialty bats can be produced to perfection as ordered by pro and minor league players. Production of a bat takes 30 seconds. Upon our exit there were walls of template-burned-in signatures which had graced personal bats of notable major league players from past years. How did the factory get its name? In 1887 a baseball player by the name of Pete Browning and known as the “Louisville Slugger” broke his bat, and upon doing so, went to the Hillerich family shop. The proprietor accommodated Pete by hand crafting a new bat. Because of the quality of Browning's bat, subsequent players ordered “Louisville Slugger's” bats—thence the name, Louisville Slugger.
