The rest area in San Acacia, New Mexico.  It overlooks the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and the Río Salado River, which eventually merges with the Río Grande River.   The historical marker at the site says: Río Salado Sand Dunes Elevation 4,850 ft. Winds blowing across the usually dry, sandy riverbed of the Rio Salado formed dunes along this part of the Río Grande Valley.  The Río Grande, just southwest of here, follows a massive geological trench shaped millions of years ago when huge blocks of land sank as the earth in central New Mexico slowly began pu ..read more

  We came home to Spring in our front yard.  The Santa Catalina mountains are the backdrop for our Ocotillo (the sticks with the orange-red flowers on top), the purple prickly pear cactus with its bright yellow flowers, and, in the background, our pink oleander tree.   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2023: A Dragon In The Mediterranean Sea 2022: Hallway From Hell 2021: A Grand Old Visit 2020: Now You See It, Now You Don't 2019: Green Sticks Everywhere 2018: Designated Office Space 2017: Desert Garden In Bloom 2016: Agile Cat 2015: Future St ..read more

  The setting sun bounces off the clouds in Socorro County, New Mexico. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 2021: Sorry, no post on this day. 2020: Sorry, no post on this day. 2019: First Corn 2018: The Opposite 2017: Big Hairy Domination Of North America 2016: Hot Pipes 2015: Go Fly A Kite. No, Really. 2014: Hats Off To....Well, Hats 2013: 10 Albums That Never Get Old 2012: The Rest Of Us 2011: Change Of Plans. Another Lazy Day Is In Order. 2010: First R2-D2 And C-3PO And Now, Ed’s Phone 2009:&n ..read more

This blog post was written by Microsoft CoPilot - an artificial intelligence (AI) powered tool.  I gave the AI program the following prompt to create a blog post for me to go along with my photo: "Write a short blog post about a cow stretching through a fence to eat grass in Shipshewana, Indiana." This was the result: “Curious Cow’s Fencing Adventure in Shipshewana, Indiana” In the picturesque town of Shipshewana, Indiana, where rolling hills meet lush pastures, a curious cow named Daisy found herself in an amusing predicament. Daisy, a gentle Holstein with soulful eyes, had a ..read more

This week, we hit a new place in town we hadn't been to yet - the Vanilla Bean Creamery in Shipshewana, Indiana. A beautiful building with a large outdoor patio, in a prime location, the creamery called to us.  We had to stop in.  And boy, am I glad we did. The ice cream was FANTASTIC.  Some of the best I've ever had.  The quality of the ingredients was evident in the first spoonful.  It was creamy and flavorful.  Wonderful mouthfeel.  Delicious. We each had two scoops - I had chocolate and toasted coconut.  Ed had banana pudding and pi ..read more

This mural, located at Detroit and Spring Street in LaGrange, Indiana, was painted in 1998 by resident Maurice Marks. "Done in earth tones from tan to dark brown, the mural is designed to look like an old-fashioned sepia postcard or photograph and features nine separate scenes from the past." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 2021: Sorry, no post on this day. 2020: Sorry, no post on this day. 2019: Taking A Stab At Takeout 2018: Man On A Pier 2017: Smörgåsbord 2016: Elephant Cactus 2015: 5 Foxy Links To Pass ..read more

  I photographed the Brown Swiss Dairy barn over 14 years ago and while in Shipshewana, I thought I'd take another drive by it - round barns aren't very common.   Later that year, I was asked if my photo could be used in a book titled 101 Things To Do In Shipshewana.  Here's the post that shows you where in the 101 things my picture is shown.   This is the text from the page of that book regarding the barn: "If you ask locals the shape of the "Prough Barn," they'll either reply that it is octagonal, or they will answer "round".  Historical records, however ..read more

A few days ago we took a ride to LaGrange, Indiana to have a burger at Fireside Craft Burgers & Brews.  The burger was delicious and the buns are baked at the Foltz Bakery, just down the street from the restaurant.   After lunch, we walked across the street to the county courthouse to get a few photos.  A pretty building that stood out right in the center of town.   According to Wikipedia: “The LaGrange County Courthouse located on Detroit Street in LaGrange, Indiana. It was designed by Thomas J. Tolan, & Son, Architects of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and buil ..read more

  The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. This museum is dedicated to the preservation of the New York Central Railroad. According to Wikipedia, "Elkhart was a vital link between East and West during the growth of railroading in the U.S. In 1833 the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway (LS&MS) built a line through town; it was later acquired by the NYC in 1914." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 2021: Sorry, no post on this day. 2020: Sorry, no post on this day. 2019: Time Does Not Matter 2 ..read more

  Main Street in Downtown Elkhart, Indiana.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 2021: Sorry, no post on this day. 2020: Sorry, no post on this day. 2019: So Many Hours Of The Day To Fill 2018: Catfish On The Bluff 2017: If Only Gas Were That Cheap Again 2016: Friends Don't Let Friends Exercise Alone 2015: I Would Never Mute This Commerical 2014: State Line 2013: No Pity 2012: Stop Grackling! 2011: Chicks And Kids 2010: Ultima Lavada 9:00 PM 2009: Eddie Touches Up The Old Girl ..read more