My Dad

I'm starting this post while taking a quick break from packing my dad Tom's parachute for his birthday skydive tomorrow.  I hadn't felt compelled to make a big deal about him jumping on his 70th freaking birthday, but I now realize it IS a big deal.

My dad has pretty much always been the man I aspire to be.  He's a father, Christian, a patriot, an athlete, an adventurer, a caretaker, and just one hell of a good guy.  He's soft spoken, but not a pushover.  Well, I won't get too mushy, besides, what more can I say that this doesn't...Tomorrow Dad's going to go make (another) skydive to celebrate his 70th birthday.  Oh, and no assistance necessary.  He's got this.

UPDATE!!!

Survival pics!

Gotta add a couple of things.  One, we are still some pretty kick-ass skydivers after all this time.  Two, some things never change.  Three, our skydiving friends are some of the most giving and cool people around.  Thanks everyone!   I got to enjoy a very special day with my dad.  I think he might have had fun too.

Labor Day Weekend 2010

Labor Day weekend brought us the opportunity to spend some time at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees with John, Stephanie, and their boys Alan and Garner.  The first stop on the way was Fuddrucker's in Tulsa for dinner.

Even Jake and Elwood were there

Then on to Grand Lake.  We had lots of fun on the water:

And off the water.  When we weren't on the lake, we were eating great food

 and visiting cool places like this garden in Grove, OK:

I thank God for opportunities like this to have great times with the fam!

(Full Picture Gallery Here)

Another run to Fallis

Photo tag took me to Fallis, America yesterday.  It was only a 60 mile round trip, but I got to ride twistys (central OK's version anyways), dirt, gravel, sand, and Route 66.  Overall great ride.

Fallis Redux

Plan your trips with EveryTrail iPhone Travel Guides

The Economy and Personal Finance

After discussing with friends, I have decided to help both of my readers in your quest to stretch the dollars by listing a few items of which you MUST buy the name-brand.  You can't put a price on some things, like:

• Pork and Beans
• Spam
• Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (yes, the glowing powder stuff)
• Ranch Style Beans

I'm sure there are many more.  Please help me in the comments.

Woody's Road

Left home in ridiculous heat to go visit the wife and kids in Kellyville.  We have family there and they are taking a mini-vacay without dad.  Anyway, I have a friend who was in Okemah at "Woodyfest", an annual tribute to Woody Guthrie.  I didn't think I would make both places in this heat, but the fam was leaving for the Jenks Aquarium when I pulled up, so off to Okemah I went.  

I was told about a bridge out on Hwy 48, and intended to go down 16 to Okmulgee, but found a kick-ass dirt road to take from Slick to Okemah instead.

Then I found out that I actually dig folk music.

Great day.

Kellyville-Slick-Okemah (Or

Plan your trips with EveryTrail iPhone Travel Guides

Who are YOU, Congressman?

Ms. Magazine vs. Iron Man 2 « Monster Hunter Nation

Man, this is one awesome post:

Ms. Magazine vs. Iron Man 2 « Monster Hunter Nation

Westfall Elementary First Grade Zoo Trip

• 

Drew enjoyed the company of a Lorakeet today in the new Children's Zoo inside the OKC Zoo.  Awesome day.  I'll get more pictures up ASAP.

Red Bull | Human Flight 3D Movie

Red Bull | Human Flight 3D Movie

This looks like it is going to be awesome. Maybe a little cheesy, but so is the sport. One great guy that helped me out a long time ago died in pursuit of this film, so I hope everyone will go experience it.

2010 Eureka Springs Hillbilly Ride

I'm making some time to catch up today, although this will probably be a lackluster tale, as most of the emotion will have drained away by now.

Scott and I left the OKC metro for Eureka Springs on Thursday morning.  We were both really pumped, as the weather that day was clear and projected to range from the mid-50's to the mid-70's.  The ride to Eureka in 2009 was the polar opposite.  It was cold,  windy, and raining the entire way to the Arkansas border.  Anyway, all packed up and ready to go:

                                Photo by Scott Carmack


So we hit the road.  We had decided on a few parameters for the ride out.  We wanted to ride some dirt roads.  There were a couple of areas in Oklahoma we wanted to see.  Also, we preferred to arrive at the former Traveler's Inn in Eureka before dark.

I think I'll just post our track and some photos of the ride out from here, then pick up witht he rest of the story...

The track:

Eureka2010_To Eureka

Map your trip with EveryTrail

 

Arrival!  I think I'll continue this later.  Bored.  Wonder if it quit raining?

Lumpy say:
"Don't be silly, wrap your Willy!"

It's All Saints Day!

EPIC Oklahoma College Security Win! (or FAIL)

O-M-G. This story made my Friday. Comedy doesn't get much better.

OCCC Evacuation a Misunderstanding

Cowboys Rasslin'

Drew and I went to Stillwater last night and watched the OSU Wrestling team obliterate the Northern Iowa Panthers.

The Article

Going all White-neck in the Snow

Sloppy mud and U

Rode to Crescent with Scott today to pay a visit to the old Kerr-McGee Cimarron Uranium processing facility, a-la Silkwood infamy. I'm pretty sure we found the site, although it is pretty nondescript these days:

Even more interesting though, was finding out what the Wee Strom would do when confronted with snotty slop:

No falls, but it did take two of us to get it out of the peg-deep mud once. The after pic looks way cleaner than real life.

What a fun day. Is it hot in here?

That's a Third!

Drew took third place in the Choctaw Novice State Wrestling Championship!