New England Photos Extra - Grand Canyon Skywalk

We took a quick trip to Las Vegas for my wife's birthday. One day we took a day trip to see the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon. Here is the view near the Skywalk.


This is the Skywalk; the floor is made of a glass like material and you can see down into the canyon. I was a little disappointed, I think I expected more. It was a little pricey I thought, there is a charge to go on the Skywalk and one for the bus to bring you to it(you must take the bus). The biggest disappointment for me was that no cameras or cell phones, or about anything else, is allowed on the Skywalk. But, they are willing to take your photo for a charge. But like many other things, it is an experience that you must do once in your life. Also, profits are split by the developer and the Hualapai Nation, the Native Americans that own the land.


This is about what the view down is from the Skywalk.


Years ago they used to mine guano(bat poop) across the canyon and it was brought across using this tram. One of the bus drivers mentioned that in addition to using guano for fertilizer, it is also used in mascara. As the bus driver said, "When your father told you to take that crap off your face, he ment it literally".


This is a stage where they have Native American dancers and crafts.


A lizard I spotted.


Some real free range cattle.


This is the road you have to travel to get to the Skywalk. I think there was about 12 miles of road like this.


On the way along this road I stopped and took this photo.


One of the areas the bus takes you is a small reproduced Western town.

After the Parade - Strolling of the Heifers 2010

Brattleboro, VT - After the parade was this fair with food and activities.


Ride 'em "Cow Boy".


Smoking is not allowed anywhere neat the fair or parade.


A couple kids showing of their climbing skills.


Young fiddlers.


Here is a unique activity, I don't think they would let me do this, there must be a weight limit.


The plastic bag dragon found a good parking spot.


If you are unable to negotiate the hill or are just lazy, these golf carts would shuttle you up and down the hill.


As I was leaving I looked down and saw this girl starting her trapeze act.


I didn't have the patients to wait in the long line for cheese samples, I waited about ten minutes and after moving about one foot I gave up. I wish they would break it up into smaller multiple lines, there were so many samples that people would spend a long time slowly sampling each and every one.


Smoked Mozzerella, this was from another cheese maker and the line was much smaller.

Strolling of the Heifers - 2010 Part 2

Brattleboro, VT - This is a continuation of my photos from the Strolling of the Heifers. I had a hard time deciding what to post, I took so many photos. So, to save space I made two collages with some of the photos. These are mostly of the banners before each group.


The other collage.


A fuzzy Scottish Highlander.

Jazzy and Birthday.


The FFA float, I was in the FFA(Future Farmers of America)when I was much younger.


The Grafton Village Cheese Float


Not only heifers in this parade, here is a sheep with his lunch around his neck.


The clean up crew, this year dressed as fruits and vegetables.


An impostor


Brattleburros kick ass


Mules are in the parade also.


Two Saxophonists


Goats Leaping for Joy


Some participants needed a little push.



A shopping cart dance by the Co-op.


Some Jazz dancing.


The leader of this group was really having a good time, the photos don't do her justice.


A Chinese Dragon.


Belly Dancers


These kids had to jump rope up hill


"Get down and give me twenty", kids doing pushups. By the end of the parade they must have had quite the workout.


A nice Brown Swiss cow, or at least I think it is.


These were some well trained Oxen; no ropes necessary.


This was the first heifer of the parade.


A stage coach, that is a blast from the past.


This rather tall women was one of the sights at the front of the parade(still don't know what that thing on her nose is???

Strolling of the Heifers - 2010

Brattleboro, VT - Another Strolling of the Heifers. This year I decided to do something different, at least for my first day of posting (I will post more tomorrow), I decided to do some up close and personal shots. I usually don't take close ups of people. But the stroll is a target rich environment for interesting characters.


The Dairy Godmother, she and her helper who sprinkles fairy dust are some of the entertainment before the parade.


A cow head.


A masked cow head


I'm not sure what was up with the feathered trunk? proboscis? She was walking around with stilts.


Hey! Stop taking my photo.


A fruit and a vegetable; they and their friends were, lets say picking up after the heifers. I guess they will have plenty of fertilizer for themselves.


This person had a very good view.


He was after the cheese.


This guy was driving his tractor, pulling a float.


Bubble Head


The person in this suit must have been very hot. I did notice that this person could really jump, I wonder if it was filled with Helium?


Playing the washboard in a band.


Ski Jump cow, who said they can't jump?


Mooie Armstrong, walking in front of a Jazz Band.


Bringing up the rear of the dragon.


Is that Herald the Heifer?


A Farmall Tractor Guy.


Trumpet Cheese Head


Another Cheese Head


It's a Food Revolution


Having fun playing the piano


Bug


Big Mouth Jazz Guy


Push the Cart


Showing off the Milk Moustache


I believe this women is protesting the Vermont Yankee Power Plant.


This women was one of the protesters, she looked real cool with the goggles and makeup but I could never get her to look my way.


Hey, that statue winked at me!


I will have more photos tomorrow.