Jim Dailey

Today I was cleaning out several … I’ll call them “clutter drawers” rather than “junk drawers”. and found this old post card from 1953. The photo of Fontana di Trevi from sixty eight years ago might have been enough to capture my attention but it was the reverse side that sent me back to my 5th Grade class room at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Grade School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

This hand addressed card, postmarked Vatican City, I assume, was sent to each student at Holy Souls. Wow! Just think about that … the Pastor of Holy Souls Church, who was, by the way, also our Religion Class Teacher took the time while in Rome to write a post card to each and every student at the school. I’m sure I didn’t appreciate this thoughtful gift nearly as much then as I do today. Thank you mom for saving this bit of childhood history.

I guess I should’nt find it strange that he would send each of us a card from the Vatican. He loved the students and we loved him. He was a pretty darn good photographer and once a year took individual slide photos of each student in all grade levels. These were kept and at graduation a slide show was presented and the packets of slides were given to respective families. Patti and I still treasure our old photos taken by Monsignor. I even considered putting a couple in this blog. Maybe anther time!

One other memory as a wrap up … each month Monsignor came to the classrooms and handed out Report Cards … had to make that bold. He would rest each card on his somewhat round stomach, study it, offer encouragement always and a warm nudge for improvement as needed. He was tough but fair and motivational. Most of all, Monsignor Allen was a good man who loved his faith, his educational ministry and left a long positive legacy of character driven students and families. Thanks for the memories and for the post card. JD

My wife and I have always enjoyed a road trip and while I was Arkansas Tourism Director, I became even more aware of their significance … personally and to the huge Tourism Industry. Virtually every state now lays out suggested routes for one, two or three day trips within their respective state borders.

Clearly, we enjoy new routes in our home state of Arkansas but this year Arkansas was the starting point and ending spot. As I recap nearly three weeks … 4500 miles, 10 states, 10 different motels, 7 nights in a VRBO and one night with friends, it seems a bit overwhelming … sure travel can be tiring … but it was awesome!

I’ll save you some of the early details and focus on the target destinations. However, I must mention one of our favorite restaurants along the route … Napoli’s Italian Restaurant … in downtown Amarillo, Texas. It’s worth a night in Amarillo just for a meal at Napoli’s.

Now for some photos

For this blog, I’m trying something new and different … a slideshow. As a reference, it follows our route … Chaco Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon North Rim, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, Casper/Cheyenne, Wy and Lawrence, Ks. So, click on the arrow and take the road trip with two Arkansas travelers …

I must comment on Chaco Canyon … not the easiest place to get to but well worth it. It is located in New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington … washboard dirt road for roughly 20 miles. On the road in, i spotted the horses … i think they are wild horses … that’s what I am saying regardless. I really lucked out on this photo because they were close together and when I hollered at them the perked up, separated a little, looked straight at me and I took the shot.

Chaco is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site dating back 800 – 1200 years.

After a day at Chaco Canyon, we spent the night in Farmington, New Mexico and then on to Monument Valley. This was a special treat. Not only is it one of the most beautiful spots in the West, it has a hotel and small cabins … very small but adequate. Plus, the cabins overlook the valley of natural monuments and we were able to experience sunset and sunrise … truly amazing!

From Monument Valley we drove thru Page, Az. … FYI, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Canyons were closed due to Covid ,,, and on to Kanab, Ut. where we set up base camp for a week and took day trips to Zion, Bryce and the Canyon Rim. each of which has a photo in the above slide show.

From Kanab, we went to Ogden, Ut., Idaho Falls and then to Jackson Hole … a place of which I never tire. When we left Jackson we had a magical early morning drive along the Grand Teton Mountains. If you have not seen the Tetons … put it on your bucket list now. Always looking for animals, we spotted a moose … with my 400mm lens I captured a pretty decent shot (shown in the above slides).

Destination Casper, Wyoming was next … we spent two nights there enjoying a unique and beautiful Western City and dinner with the Director of Visit Casper discussing the 2017 Eclipse of the Sun. Casper has literally written the book on how to prepare for this once in a lifetime natural phenomena. Thanks to Brook Kaufman for helping Arkansas prepare for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. I am helping Morrilton prepare. More about this at another posting.

Casper is definitely a city to which Patti and I will return … beautiful setting, great restaurants, active downtown, awesome museums such as the National Trails Interpretive Center featuring the history of settlement and transportation Westward.

I will wrap up by again stating how we enjoy road trips and how this was one of the best. So, pick a destination, plan a route or JUST LET IT HAPPEN.

https://vimeo.com/user8759039/download/565329335/20de8e5119

As a little something extra, I have included the link to a musical slideshow I did on Vimeo. Take a look if you have an extra 3minutes and 22 seconds. Jimd

In August 2017, my wife and I drove to Tennessee to witness and photograph our first ever total solar eclipse. Across the nation, millions of people did the same. The above photo is one I took with a 200 mm lens. Solar filters and glasses are needed all but during the total eclipse. Below are a couple of other shots I took before the total.

This is one of the most amazing natural events of my life. I have always enjoyed astronomy and plan to be front and center in Morrilton for the longest duration total eclipse in Arkansas … four minutes and 18 seconds.

As far as I am concerned, Morrilton is “THE PLACE TO BE !!” It will be fun, lots to do, lots to eat, places to stay, camp or RV and witness the most sensational solar event of your life. See you in Morrilton.

As I click through photos from this, our 42nd year guys trip, I find my thoughts reverting to past trips together. It all started with three business associate friends electing to take a ski trip to Colorado. Upon return, a lunch meeting was held, several more friends invited and a lifelong tradition began … ski trip once a year and lunch once a week. SST has been our moniker … Stanley Ski Team

The above photo of this year’s six SST attendees was taken in Scottsdale, Az.

A few years ago we updated our venue from the Colorado mountains to sunny Arizona. Consequently SST should possibly stand for “Stanley Sunshine Team”… certainly beats “Stanley Seniors Team.”

We filled our days with Golf, Top Golf …. most of all, lots of fellowship resolving political, social, world and life issues. Conclusion, we have lived thru the “BEST OF TIMES IN AMERICA”

JC and I made this a road trip with stops at small historic sites, amazing natural attractions and the indescribable Carlsbad Caverns.

While I was in college, I was a tour guide at Bull Shoals Caverns in Northern Arkansas. In fact, a couple of my classmates at the University of Arkansas and I frequently hit the back roads near Fayetteville exploring caves. Bull Shoals Caverns was and still is a tourist destination … but nothing like Carlsbad. This cavern is massive to the extent I now know the visual definition of CAVERNOUS! Definitely worth seeing … and almost amazing as it is to see, the cost of admission is a whopping $1.00. Yes, $1.00 !!

As I alluded to above, I truly believe this group, self named SST, has possibly lived thru the best of times in America. Unfortunately, I am concerned with the current US and World dissension … internally and externally, politically and economically, ethically and spiritually, socially and selfishly. However, I do know one thing, our country will survive just as it has in the past. It will survive because fundamentally it is a nation of caring people that believes we must work together … in our families, in our businesses, in our cities and states and in our world.

Good individuals and good groups like our SST family will continue to provide the example, the foundation and the will to ABIDE BY THE DO RIGHT RULE. (a quote from former Arkansas Coach Lou Holtz)

Personally, so much of who I am today is because of my SST FAMILY. Thank you. Jim

In my most recent post, I failed to mention one of the essential components of a successful campout on the Buffalo River. This iconic 100 year old cafe on the square in Jasper, Arkansas is a “must experience if you are in this area of the Natural State. Sometimes we stop for lunch before heading to the river … sometimes we have breakfast on our way home from camping … sometimes we do both.

For the past 10 or more years a group of us has blocked our calendars for a Super Bowl weekend camping trip. We hit the trail on Friday and head home Sunday morning for the big game. That’s just what we did … unfortunately, for my Chiefs friends, the best part of the weekend was the campout.

Yes … I am a huge Tom Brady fan!!

As in the past few years, we returned to Arkansas’ Buffalo River … the first federally declared National River. Friday, our first day, was a crisp beautiful picture perfect day to set up tents, build a camp fire and enjoy the beauty of the calico bluffs along the 135 miles of this free flowing undammed natural treasure. The following pictures represent DAY ONE.

Now Day Two … with weather prediction of 20’s or below plus rain with wind it took all of about 10 seconds to accept the offer from a local friend to spend Saturday night at his mountain retreat. WISE DECISION !!

These next photos spell it out in pictures …. cold, beautiful wet snow. A Winter Wonderland for certain. Amazing how much more enjoyable from inside rather than outside in a tent.

In the past, I have written about traditions and their importance to the fabric of our lives. The sharing of adventures with friends, the camaraderie created telling stories and tall tales around the campfire become the memories that bind us for a lifetime. Be it family traditions, friendship traditions or a SUPER BOWL CAMPOUT TRADITION our lives are enhanced.

Several months ago, my camping buddies decided to search for a camping site in the Ouachita Mountains West of Little Rock. Unfortunately we were not the only outdoor enthusiast to have the same idea. We were about to give up when one of the guys suggested we go to his farm … less than an hour away. The rest is history and an unforgettable camping night. Just take a look at the pictures … again, ARKANSAS THE NATURAL STATE.

Nothing like a night in our beautiful Arkansas … the Natural State!

Fancy carving was done by Master Carvers … Spencer and JC

Finally … what could be better than a perfect Fall Weekend with best friends, amazing food and the beauty of Arkansas the Natural State!

This year we embarked on a traditional fall camping trip … Kyle’s Landing near Jasper, Arkansas on the Buffalo National River (America’s first National River.)

With nine friends, a beautiful weekend, too much food, a little hiking and artistic pumpkin carving, the first ever Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin annual campout serendipitously and spontaneously occured … Life is Good!

In closing, please allow me to speak to traditions … most notably, traditions with family and friends. My personal friend examples include: weekly lunch and annual guys trip (for over forty years), annual hiking trip to a National Park with three other guys, annual Charlie Brown Christmas camping/backpacking trip … and, now THE CHARLIE BROWN GREAT PUMPKIN IN THE OZARKS … camping adventure.

Finally, an apology. This post is not complete because I ran out of media space for all the pictures I wished to show such as night time shots around the campfire with the candle lit pumpkins in the background. I have upgraded my account so hopefully I can edit once the upgrade is in place. In addition, WordPress has a new format and I am still learning. Ouch!

Thank you for viewing and thank you for your patience!

Yours in blog world … myLastpairofboots@wordpress.com