Shoe Trees

While Missourians have the Burr Oak Tree, the people of Greeley, Colorado have the Shoe Trees. While driving down a highway southwest of Greeley, I went past these trees with shoes hanging from the branches and nailed to the trunks. After doing a double take, I turned around and went back. Having avoided getting hit by traffic, I was able to get these photos.

The southernmost shoe tree.

A closer view of the southern tree. In both this and the above photo, note that there are also shoes dangling from the branches.

A good look at the shoes nailed to the trunks.

Trunk closeup.

Nice Windmill

I was driving down a rural highway in Douglas County, at least I think it was Douglas County, and came across this windmill. I had the camera with me, so I had to stop. I was experimenting with a special Ilford black & white film that uses C41 color processing. I took several photos of the windmill, but this is the only one I like.

Windmill, Douglas County Colorado.

A Visit to the United States Air Force Academy

My brother Al and I made a visit to the United States Air Force Academy one day in January of 1994. There is a lot to see there, and the link found in the Landmarks I've Visited section will provide some excellent information.

The chapel from a slight hill.

Entrance to the chapel. Notice how it is shaped like a swept-back wing.

Inside the chapel.

The ceiling of the chapel.

A B-52 bomber on the grounds of the academy.

Another view of the B-52.

The tail section of the B-52.

Two of the eight engines.

The Missouri Burr Oak Tree

The Burr Oak is truly an object of great pride in Mid Missouri, especially around the Columbia Area. It's the largest and oldest burr oak in Missouri.

Looking down the dirt road towards the tree at sunset.

I love sunsets and I love the Burr Oak tree. Together, they're amazing.

Rock Bridge State Park, Columbia

Rock Bridge State Park is located just south of Columbia, Missouri. This visit was near the end of December, 1993. I'll have to come back to get additional photos.

Walkway. There are literally miles of trails in this park.

Cave.

One of my 'tree and sky' shots.

One of the creeks running through the park.

Bend in the creek.

Union Covered Bridge

The Union Covered Bridge is southwest of Paris, Missouri in Monroe county. For more information on the bridge, follow the link in the Landmarks I've Visited section. This was my first visit to the bridge.

Looking through the bridge.

Spur C bypasses the bridge now, crossing over a spillway next to the bridge.

The bridge, facing towards the north.

The creek that the bridge crosses.

Greek Orthodox Church, Sarasota

There is a striking Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota. Actually, it's probably technically in Bradenton, but the mailing address in Sarasota.

Looking northeast.

Looking southeast.

Main Entrance.

Window on the south side.

Rear of the church.

More from Boca Grande

For some reason, on this trip to Boca Grande, I didn't take any photos of the lighthouse. Instead, I concentrated on the town, which is a destination itself. It's a beautiful village, and it has played host to a president of the United States. More in the captions, as well as links to information about Boca Grande in the Landmarks I've Visited section.

First Baptist Church.

United Methodist Church.

Gate to a private home. Not a particularly good photograph, but I liked the subject.

Looking south down the main road through town.

A Hibiscus. I can not believe how beautiful the weather was this day to provide such striking contrast between the flower and the sky.

Boca Grand Community Center.

Tower on the Community Center building.

Another building on the grounds of the Community Center.

Golfing at the Gasparilla Inn.

I believe this is the club house for the golf course.

A side entrance to the Gasparilla Inn.

The main entrance to the Gasparilla Inn and Club. President George H. W. Bush (41) and his wife Barbara have stayed at the Inn.

A pergola at a business in town.

Bouganvillia. Mind your eyes.

I love the entryway to this private residence.

Alligators at Myakka River State Park

Ok, here's what everyone wants to see - alligators. On this trip to Myakka River State Park, I was able to see some gators. Actually, the photos here are all of the same beast. I did see others, but they were a little less willing to be photographed. They can look like floating logs, and some unsuspecting folk have lost a limb due to the illusion.

Here is where you'll find alligators. If you're in Florida, and there's water, there is probably a gator.

More from Ca d'Zan

Another visit to the Ringling grounds, specifically Ca d'Zan, which means 'House of John'. It's the mansion in which John and Mable Ringling lived. You can find out more by following the link the the Ringling Museum of Art in the Landmarks I've Visited section.

A rose in one of the many gardens.

Tower in the front of the mansion.

The back of the mansion.

I love photographs of windows.

More ornate windows.

Very interesting.

Bronze statue of Romulus and Remus suckling.

I had to get another 'tree and sky' photo in.