For 9 days every October, Albuquerque hosts the world’s largest celebration of balloon flight. Billed as the most photographed event in the world, hundreds of balloons fill the autumn skies.
I don’t follow Route 66 as much as I had hoped, in fact, there isn’t much left traveling from Oklahoma City to Amarillo. It is mostly I-40 with a few stretches of the original highway. There isn’t a whole lot going on this section of the iconic highway. In such, I don’t see many of the venues that the highway is known for. However, there are many things to explore during my brief visit to Amarillo. […]
Fort Worth has several destination districts: Cultural, Southside, Sundance, and Zoo. I’m most intrigued by the perceived grittier Stockyard district. The Stockyards National Historic District features Fort Worth’s western heritage, including daily cattle drives, museums, shops, year-round rodeo, and Billy Bobs Texas – the world’s largest honky-tonk. […]
The mantra “Keep Austin Weird” can be seen throughout The Bat City. It is on billboards, business marquees, bumper stickers, and T-shirts. A city that not only flies its freak flag but embraces it tightly. While only here for 48 hours, I see a number of men (my assumption) walking various streets wearing evening gowns, rompers and a pantsuit that would make Hillary envious. Except for maybe some tribal villages outside of Africa, Austin has to lead the planet in nose rings per capita. Weird, perhaps, but expressing oneself is certainly common, encouraged and celebrated here. […]
Being from Kentucky, I have a fondness for the Kentucky Derby.  It is a special time in the Bluegrass State, a week punctuated with prep races, pegasus parade, parties and pyrotechnic shows.  Since I am traveling, I am isolated from the pomp and don’t even know a horse that’s running in the fastest 2 minute in sports.
I have, however, been closely monitoring another race, the Amercian Idol.  I had lost interest in the show after about the 3rd season. But when I learned that Maddie Poppe was competing, it garnered my attention. I have seen Maddie perform a couple of times. She was a featured entertainer of a 1,000 tired and hungry cyclist during the ride across Iowa, RAGBRAI. I found her talented and engaging and tuned in to how she would fare. As with most reality shows, I ashamedly got hooked and overly vested in its outcome. With visions of Kentucky’s big race coming up, I begin handicapping the race for the next American Idol.
Maddie Poppe is an Iowa bred filly, she has come off some impressive wins and has breezed into the finals without a negative comment from the judges. She’ll need to shake the nerves and polish her stage presence if she is to be a contender. Odds 4:1
Cade Foehner the rocker from the Lone Star state has also had an easy path to the finals. Katy Perrys’ continued fawning seems a little misplaced. I don’t see American voters breathing life into the pretty stale genre of a hair rocker. Odds 12:1
Jurnee the Colorado native stumbled in the prep and was allowed to continue by a saving vote from the judges. She has unique look and a great voice. Can she be molded into a pop singer package, I don’t think so. But she can’t be counted out. Odds 8:1
Caleb Lee Hutchinson another powerhouse from Texas, Caleb has been a solid performer. Does Luke Bryan being a judge bring in enough country fans to get the votes? Scotty McCreery proved a male country singer can win Idol. Odds 6:1
Catie Turner once considered just a quirky novelty from Pennsylvania, Catie has turned in some strong performances down the stretch. WIll America make her the next idol? Normally I would say no way but then again we have Boaty McBoatface. Odds 10:1
Gabby Barrett another filly from the Keystone State, Gabby most fits the successful American Idol winner, In the vein of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, Gabby is the total package and can easily be groomed to go to market. The fact she has a powerful voice is a bonus. Odds 2:1
Michael J. Woodard this California native is such a joy; a humble and charming young man. His song choices early on were exciting and kept one wondering what was coming next. He seems to have faded in the stretch and it’ll take a great effort to win this one. Odds 10-1.
You can count on a filly bringing home the roses this year, look for a tight race down to the wire with Gabby Barrett edging out Maddie Poppe for the Blanket of Roses.
Who is your pick?
Paddle Wheel steamers are a part of the Mississippi Rivers’ history, from the plantation era, to the Civil War, through the gay nineties and into the 21st Century. From utilitarian uses to entertainment, the paddler was developed during a time which it could navigate the Mississippi’s shallow waters as well as upriver against strong currents. The paddle wheeler is engrained into the lore of the river. […]