God Bless America, our Veterans and our Men and Women of the Military
I simply had to stop and take a photo of this Patriotic Statement by a farmer in Alma, Kansas.
This has been a wonderful 5000 mile driving adventure … Shortly I will follow up with pictures and stories. However,today on this Memorial Day weekend, I honor and thank our Veterans and those currently serving.
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Wabbit was the name of my grade school football team
I never was that great an athlete but had my moment of glory in the eighth grade at Holy Souls Catholic School in Little Rock. And, to make the story even more interesting … as I choose to remember it … I scored the winning touchdown or maybe it was extra point to give our team the Parochial School Championship in 1956.
Our coach, Mr. Harding, developed a “special” play for each of the backs … naturally my play from the fullback position was “The Dailey Special”… right up the middle. Miraculously on that day before maybe tens of parents at the Historic Lamar Porter Field, the Dailey Special was called, I fell across the goal line behind a powerful line and the Holy Soul’s Wabbits were crowned the championship team.
Last Night we visited our old school for an alumni party … pictured below are three former Wabbits … my sister Kathy, me, and my wife Patti … sporting my eighth grade championship letter sweater. GO WABBITS !!!
Below is a picture of what was the original front entry …
Where the tree stands in the right edge of this photo, once stood an American Flag … each morning we gathered to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Original Cafeteria … now a Library pictured below.
Accuracy of facts is subject to authentication or rejection by former classmates.
If I have portrayed the details somewhat correctly, let it be known 1956 was my only successful football season. I played one year in High School, was lousy and my gridiron story ended there.
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The First Designated National River in the United States:
At slightly more than 150 miles long, The Buffalo National River is one of the most beautiful, scenic and free flowing rivers in the nation. It is one of the most stunning natural treasures to see with its towering limestone bluffs and one of the most fun filled National Parks with its canoeing, rafting, horse back riding, camping, hiking … and just plain old sight seeing.
This weekend my buddies and I hiked to the catwalk of Big Bluff overlooking the River.
It was a little warm, making the hike pretty tough … especially the three miles “uphill”. Even though the entire area was packed with people, most of them were out in canoes, enjoying the river. In fact, as seen from above, one might compare the river traffic to holiday Interstate vehicle traffic. Below are a few pictures of Big Bluff and the Buffalo River as seen from several hundred feet above.
Twin falls … sometimes called Triple Falls:
A Wonderful Place to stay after a tough, hot hike:
Thanks so much to a special friend for allowing us to have a comfortable place to stay for the night. Check out the view from the deck … wow!!! And, even though the owner calls it a “cabin” … you decide for yourself. Regardless, a Big Thank You to Mr. Dunn.
I said it was warm … even the snakes were out.
A perfect night for star gazing:
I forget how beautiful our night sky is … what a perfect way to end the day after a hike and dinner at the 1909 Ozark Cafe on the square in Jasper Arkansas.
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Centuries of Inscriptions Protected by National Monument Designation
This is without a doubt one of the most fascinating, interesting and beautiful places I have visited.
Beautiful because of the towering sheer rock sandstone promontory with an ever present water pool at its base. Interesting because of the blending of centuries of travelers who have left their inscriptions carved on the walls of the flat rock surfaces. Fascinating because one can see the remains of a mesa top pueblo that once housed roughly 1500 people in 875 rooms … circa 1275 – 1350.
As beautiful as the hike was, I was most captivated by picturing in my mind the residents and travelers who came to this spot for refreshing water and needed rest. I could hardly look at the inscriptions or the pueblo without wondering what life was like then and what they hoped they might share with us hundreds of years in the future.
Just a couple of closing comments:
First, I am so thankful for the Antiquities Act which gives Presidents the power by executive authority to create National Monuments like El Morro
Second, I failed to mention that the steps seen in one of the pictures at the top of El Morro were hand carved as part of a work program during the depression. Another piece of our history … maybe for another blog.
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Thirty Four years of Friendship …
As you may recall, I’ve covered in previous blog posts the annual guys ski trip started some thirty four years ago. This year we decided to go for warmer climate … golf and hiking rather than skiing, shorts rather than ski pants and martini time around a pool rather than apres ski slope side. So … Scottsdale, Arizona it was!!!
As in the past, we rented a beautiful home with lots of bedrooms and wonderful amenities. Six of our group took the non stop flight from Little Rock to Phoenix while I and my adventurous friend, JC, drove the distance allowing for maximum flexibility and side trips. In addition we had scheduled a hike and two nights in the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
I have broken this trip down into several group events:
– The Group
– The Golf Group
– The Martini poolside group …
– The Teddy Bear Cholla Hiking Group
– The Tour Group
– The Havasupai Falls Hiking Group
Let’s get started …
The Group: Had to post a few Oldie but Goodies of the Group
The Golf Group … TPC Scottsdale …
A beautiful course on a beautiful day.
The Martini Poolside Group … and Fireside Chats too …
Teddy Bear Cholla Hiking Group …
The Tour Group … Some went to Sedona, some to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West …
Havasupai Falls Hiking Group:
This Native American Village has existed continuously in the bottom of the Grand Canyon for 800 years. About the only way in or out is an 8 mile hike each way, a helicopter or pack animal.
JC and I went to see the Iconic turquoise water falls. Pictures only barely show the natural beauty. It was a cultural experience as well … spending two nights in this isolated village of 650 Native Americans. I have attempted below to show a bit of the Canyon beauty, the stunning falls and the purity of the Village:
We covered around four thousand miles on this trip and it was well worth it. First because of the time I had with my friend of more than forty years, second because of the time with my Ski Group … friends that have taken a trip together for nearly 35 years and still have a standing lunch appointment together ever Friday in Little Rock. JC reminded me of a quote that is so true: “You can’t make Old Friends”.
Finally we did some detours to places I may cover on another blog (this one is long enough … fortunately mostly pictures). We saw El Morrow with petroglyphs and messages in stone from travelers of the past four hundred years and we saw Montezuma’s well with its unique water pool and cliff houses.
More to come in future entries … thank you for tuning in to Mayor Jim’s Last Pair of Boots.
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It all started rather innocently in December 2010 …
Here’s the story. Three friends … JC, Bryan and I were backpacking and camping along the beautiful Richland Creek in North Central Arkansas. It was the last night on the trail, dinner and adult beverages were consumed, the campfire was a bed of coals and we were thinking warm sleeping bags. As random as this might seem JC announced that his wife had given him three glow lights … clearly we had to do something with them. Looking around we spotted a scraggly Cedar tree overlooking Richland Creek, activated the glow lights, hung them on the tree and The Annual Charlie Brown Christmas in the Ozarks Tradition began.
Founders: Jim, JC, Bryan Year two
By Year four our numbers had increased and we were forced to locate a larger camp site. In addition, a new Charlie Brown tree was Christened.
Charlie Brown Tree 2013
Charlie Brown Year 5 happened this weekend.
Our group continues to capture the imagination of many and a hardy few actually put on a pack, a Santa Hat, help decorate the tree and enjoy this unique way to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the awesome beauty of the Richland Creek Wilderness area.
First we made a short hike to the original Charlie Brown Tree
Notice the red bow placed there in 2010
We had eleven brave souls participate this year along with scores of well wishers … some even promising to consider next year.
All I can say is “you will love it”.
Whenever I get to this point in my blog entry, I figure I’ve said enough and pictures tell the story. Included below are a couple of shots of Richland Creek, the decorating, the campsite and other memorable moments. I hope you will enjoy … and consider joining us next time.
House size boulders, Turquoise Water
Santa’s Helpers
Serious Business
Daryl is proud of his work.
JC makes a pretty cool Santa.
All of Charlie Brown’s Helpers.
Above left to right … back row DJ, Bryan, JC, Charlie’s Tree, Daryl, Daniel, Jim, Randy. Bottom row Morgan, Napoleon, Eileen, Jeff, John holding another Charlie Brown Tree.
The end of a perfect day.
DJ and Morgan … is it time to go home?
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Frost Flower
Yep … it is known as a Frost Flower and this is the first time I have ever seen one.
First, let me set the stage by telling you two of my buddies and I (see our photo below) were hiking in the Buffalo National River valley near Boxley, Arkansas. It was a cold morning in the mid 20’s and we were heading into a beautiful box canyon know as “The Penitentiary”. Very shortly after beginning the two mile trek into the canyon, we started seeing a forest floor dotted with these strange silky, ribbon like sculptures of delicate ice wrapped around small plant stems. Fortunately Bryan had read about them, knew what they were called so we spent countless minutes inspecting, photographing and marveling at this never before seen (at least by us) wonder of nature. I commented that whether we made it to the Penitentiary or not, this made the trip worthwhile.
Further research on the internet explained the phenomenon … the air temperature must be well below freezing while the ground temperature is still warm enough to send sap up into a stem. At that point, a small crack in the stem seeps liquid slowly that immediately begins to freeze and sculpt into a FROST FLOWER.
NOW YOU KNOW “THE REST OF THE STORY.
The other serendipitous advantage of hiking in below freezing weather is depicted in a few other shots below … waterfalls, unique ice formations, etc. Try it, you may like it!!!
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Airport in Queretaro
First Stop … Queretaro
After a short flight to Dallas and another relatively short flight of two hours we landed in the city of Queretaro where we spent one night in the old historic Colonial downtown … declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
</a Jeff and Eileen
Our Hotel in Queretaro
Well we are here for a wedding … what’s with the picture below?
eat drink and remarry
Short answer … Eileen and Jeff were married in a Colorado mountain ceremony a little over a year ago. Her parents and some of her relatives and friends were present but her parents wanted to have a Traditional Mexican Wedding. Wow, are we ever glad they did. It was five days of Eating, drinking, dancing and Remarrying. Other than an occasional slowing down at a traffic signal, this was filled with Fun, Family, Friends, Food, Festival … and , A Wedding.
On to San Miguel de Allende for the Wedding …
San Miguel alone was worth the trip to Mexico. It is a small Colonial town named after a Franciscan monk and a hero of the Independence. At 7000 feet it is blessed with pleasant, dry and moderate temperatures. The streets are narrow, all cobblestone and hilly. Huge churches, active plazas, colorful buildings, interesting markets, copious art galleries and safe streets make this a pedestrian paradise.
Cobblestone and Color
our hotel plaza
Wedding Day, the Wedding, the party and party and party …
Jeff, Dj and Friends
Mother of the Bride
Mother of the Groom
Father and the Bride
Literally Tied Together
From the Church, through the streets and to the reception …
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TWO DAYS UNTIL ELECTION …
Sure I still have my moments … moments when I wonder if I might have “one more” campaign left in me;”one more” realistic shot at being elected; one more chance to answer the call of citizens who say “we miss you”… why don’t you run for Governor, Senator, etc.etc.
Well folks, IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN!!!
The photo above is of one of my yard signs in my first political campaign. At that time … early 70’s … I had been active in civic organizations and was considering a run for the State Legislature. Meanwhile, a family friend and City Council member was stepping down from his seat and he encouraged me to run. I DID AND WAS ELECTED … more on my dad’s name than mine, but I was elected. From that point on, it was in my blood.
The below photo shows the other candidates, one of which, Lottie Shackelford subsequently served two years as Mayor under the old system of appointment by the City Council. I share a special bond and friendship with Lottie and Dick Horne … both wonderful public servants.
As I reflect on my first campaign and those first four years I served in elected office, my heart and soul reaches out to each candidate running this election cycle. I remember the fundraising, the interviews, the door to door walking, the supporters and the non supporters. I remember a small gathering at our home election eve with campaign workers and well wishers … and most of all, I remember the agonizing stress waiting on numbers to be reported. I vividly recall, even forty years later, my shock when the results started coming in and I was leading.
CLEARLY THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE … AND IT HAS REMAINED SO THROUGH EACH ELECTION IN WHICH MY NAME WAS PLACED BEFORE THE PUBLIC.
I WOULDN’T TRADE ANY OF IT BUT, I AM STILL GLAD I AM NOT A CANDIDATE ANY LONGER.
PHOTOS BELOW ARE RANDOM EXAMPLES OF MY LATER LIFE AS MAYOR OF LITTLE ROCK FOR 14 YEARS …
One sure thing in the world of politics, is the scrutiny of the media and the need for thick skin. Possibly my favorite in the media was and is Editorial Cartoonist, John Deering. He had a way in pictures of cutting thru the rhetoric of various issues such as new garbage cans, anti smoking or opposition to billboards. THANK YOU JOHN … ALSO JIM JOHNSON FROM CJRW, thank you.
FINALLY, BELOW … WHAT AN HONOR TO SERVE AS MAYOR WHILE BILL CLINTON WAS OUR PRESIDENT … THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT!!!
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Colorado Aspen and Arkansas Hardwoods …
I simply love Fall … the pictures below make this point in living color.
An eight mile hike yesterday in the Arkansas Ouachita Mountains gave me a glimpse of the colors to come. My shot of grouped leaves was just enough to get me thinking poetically … Wine colors … Cabernet, Pinot, Chardonnay. Fruit colors … Limon, Lime, Orange, Peach, grape. And the Elixer of the Gods, the golden brown richness of 18 year old Macallan single malt scotch.
Most of the shots were of Colorado Aspen at the peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Clearly they speak for themselves. In addition there are shots of Elk … this is the rutting season and we witnessed the evening ritual of female elk drifting into the meadows followed by first the bugling of males and then the grand entry of these huge, stately creatures.
We were celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of friends … just had to go to the Historic Stanley Hotel where we had a wonderful dinner and returned the next day for a complete tour … enough to prompt me to again read Stephen King’s book “The Shining”.
Finally, and pictures will come in the next few weeks, I am heading back to Colorado with three of my hiking buddies. To be continued then.
How are you doing? Thank you. 
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Jim Dailey 
