The One at a Rest Stop in Ames, Iowa

So my family went on a road trip my senior year of high school. I'm pretty sure we drove from Colorado to Minnesota. And I'm also pretty sure that we took a detour to South Dakota (to be shown later). Things are a bit hazy, as this *was* nine years ago.

One thing I *do* know... This picture was taken in Ames, Iowa. Tee hee.

I had already done a few handstand photos, so by this time, I had firmly decided I would take them wherever I went. And *try* to get something in the background that could give a little hint as to where I was. Or in this case, not a hint, but a big sign literally saying, "You are in Ames, Iowa!"

I'm guessing there used to be a map there. It would have looked cooler than white tape. Perhaps I'll PhotoShop a map into there! HA! That could be done...

I ended up getting quite a few handstand pictures on that trip in 1998, so more to come. :)

The One with the Jets

I'm pretty sure this was an impromptu trip to the Air Show in Durango, Colorado in September 1998. This boy I liked... his dad invited my dad and I to join them. Planes and a cute boy? Umm... yes, please!

I've always LOVED the air show. We were in route to my first one in November 1986 (in California) when we were in a bad car accident. I broke both my legs, and obviously... wasn't able to make it there that year. The *following* year, however, my dad took us for the first time, and I remember it being amazing!

I saw the Blue Angels. My sister and I brought our Radio Flyer red wagon. We took lots of pictures. It became a family tradition after that, and we went every year. And it's always been one of my very favorite memories from my childhood.

So yeah, I love planes. Even my 8th grade science project was done on paper airplanes, but I got TONS of cool correspondence stuff from Boeing, Lockheed, etc. Through that project, I officially named the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-117 Stealth Fighter my favorite planes (jets). So of course, when the Durango Air Show had BOTH of them, I had to get pictures.

The military dudes (with guns) thought it was cooler than cool that I was doing handstands, so they let me go UNDER the ropes to take these photos. Celebrity treatment? I think yes!

So here they are for your enjoyment. Much to the dismay of the US Air Force, I'm sure... here are my handstands in front of two of the coolest jets ever!