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My two recent trips that didn't involve attending writers conferences
I do a lot of traveling. Occasionally I will bring my camera to shoot some good photographs. Although I will admit that the Green Bay photos were courtesy of someone else. But here are some of the recent trips I took within the last few years.I have also included some pictures of people who are talented in what they do.
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GREEN BAY and PESHTIGO, WISCONSIN
July-August, 1997
On the generous invitation of my friend, fellow writer and excellent playwright/producer, Stephen Christenson, I had the privilege of visiting his residence in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. It is a beautiful place up in the northeast part of the state. In the summer, it was very peaceful and quiet. I remember seeing sparrows at the edge of the window sill and watching them feed on seedlings from the trees.Stephen lives with his mother in a three-story house just outside of Peshtigo in Marinette County, Wisconsin. His family has a long history in that part of the state. I even had the privilege of visiting the Peshtigo Fire Museum, where there were many artifacts not just from the famous Peshtigo Fire of 1874 (took place on the same day as the Chicago Fire). But other historical items that was important to Peshtigo and that part of Wisconsin. C-SPAN was in that area about the same time, doing a rememberance of French historian/writer Alexis de Touqueville, who visited Green Bay in his observation of the United States during the 19th Century. |
Watching the Green Bay Packers
Journey to Door County, Wisconsin
Despite the fact that the Rams play in St. Louis, I have never attended a Tailgate Party. Believe me, the Packers have a really good tradition when it comes to tailgating. We barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers and ate a lot before the game. We had to get there at 2:00 p.m. even though the game was scheduled for 7:00 p.m.There's a lot of tradition in Green Bay and they are proud of it. Lambeau Field lies in the middle of a residential area. The houses around the stadium have a very similar look to the houses that surround both St. Charles High School and Duchesne High School in St. Charles. But Lambeau Field is not a high school stadium. It is a true landmark in Green Bay. Packer fans do not want a new stadium, despite the fact that the National Football League wished the Green Bay had something similar to Detroit or Minnesota. But if there is any place where a Super Bowl should be held, it should be held in Green Bay and not in the southern or western U.S. Stephen and I visited Door County, which is northeast of Green Bay and divides Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Stephen has a lot of influence in Door County. Most of his plays have been performed in the town of Ephrahim. He is also an avid yachtsman and we watched the annual Regatta that takes place at the Ephrahim Yacht Club. He also loves the game of golf. His mother says he's also great in tennis.
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QUAD CITIES: March 18, 2001
Missouri River Otters vs. Quad City Mallards
This was the first road trip for the River Ringers (known back then as the Cowbell Crew). The River Ringers are an unofficial booster club of the Missouri River Otters. Most of the "members" are season ticket holders, including myself. Unfortunately, our leader of the group had a family emergency at the time and I had assumed a second-in-command role. But it's hard being a leader.We drove along several Illinois Interstate highways to arrive in Moline, Illinois, where the Mallards play. The Mark of the Quad Cities is quite an arena. It seats fewer than the Family Arena in St. Charles. But it is quite a state-of-the-art facility. It was a little overdone to my standards with the video screen on one side of the arena and some of the other sights on the inside that remind me more of a small Kiel Center in St. Louis. It was quite a comfortable place and all of us had a great time, despite the fact that the River Otters got shut out. Pictured are Tony Jones, Debi Kenny, R.J. Kenny and Kelly Kenny. |
Downtown Moline
Downtown Moline is a hustling bustling area, even on a Sunday afternoon. The Mark of the Quad Cities is a crown jewel to a new downtown area for the Illinois community.The concept of the Family Arena came from this facility. It is unfortunate, however, that the Family Arena is located near a Quarry and is practically out in the middle of nowhere. At night, the Mark is well lit and you can find your way around to return to the Interstate. When it comes to the Family Arena at night, it is pitch black once you leave the facility and you hope that you are going in the right direction on the road--or even staying on the road. Hopefully St. Charles City and County will work it out and bring lighting to the Arena Parkway and build up this area. A quarry next to a great facility such as the Family Arena is not a good idea, especially when you are trying to build up a positive image.
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The River Otters lost, 2-0
However, it was a great close game which had a lot of excitement. The Quad City Mallard fans were impressed by Missouri River Otter goaltender Benoit Tiebert and how many shots he stopped.After the game, we did wait for the team to return from their locker room and board their bus back to St. Charles, Missouri. Ironically, they seemed to pass us at mile marker 125 along Interstate 55 in Illinois (near Lincoln). |
We'll get them next year
The River Otters made the playoffs in 2000-01, but they lost in the first round. The eventual winner of the United Hockey League Colonial Cup was the Quad City Mallards. But it is another season and many of us who went on the trip can't wait until the next hockey season to start up in October.A special thanks to Ruth Darr, my co-worker at my day job, for helping me get the tickets. Without her, the road trip to the Quad Cities would have not been possible.
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Lewis and Clark Monument
Downtown St. Charles, Missouri
In 1990, I was asked to serve on a committee that wanted to place a monument dedicating the meeting point of explorers Merriwether Lewis and William Clark as they journeyed westward to explore the Louisiana Purchase. It was an honor to serve on the committee that was part of the St. Charles Parks Foundation. I represented the St. Charles County Historical Society on that committee, since at that time I served as First Vice President of the organization. I was on the committee that selected the artist, Pat Kennedy of Colorado, to do the sculpture and finished product as you see it here.The monument was dedicated in May, 2003, a year before the official bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark "Rendezvous." The monument is located in downtown St. Charles in Frontier Park, right on the riverfront of the Missouri River. Not far away from this monument is the Lewis and Clark Museum and Boat House. The boat house is the storage facility for the replicas of the different boats that Lewis and Clark used up the Missouri River. The Museum houses many artifacts including the complete journey of Lewis and Clark as they ventured westward to the Pacific coast. This was a project I was proud to serve on during the 1990s. |
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