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!

The One at Disneyland

And it all began with this photo... I think. ;)

It was spring 1997. We were visiting California, so my sister could go to prom with a guy-friend of hers. Disneyland has always been one of our very favorite places, so we just had to go!

I'm not sure what even prompted me at this moment to start the handstand thing. But I do remember that 1997 was when I started getting good at them. LOL.

The Partners statue is one of my favorite things at Disneyland. I love that the castle is in the back, and the bronze character sculptures surround it. One of my very favorite places to hang out. :)

The First One

Have you ever noticed when you go on vacation to a cool place and when taking a picture, you just sit there and smile?

So a few years later you're sitting there looking in photo albums (or scrapbooks...) thinking, "Here's me standing in front of this place. And here's me standing in front of this place. I'm boring." Well, I was tired of looking back at pictures of myself in front of cool places... just standing there.

So... I decided (being the crazy gymnast I am) in 1997 that I would do away with 'just standing there' and instead I would do handstands in front of cool places. This phenomenon has now turned into what I like to call my "Handstand Portfolio."

And my name? So kindly bestowed upon me by my gymnastics coach, Jen. Handstand Queen. A bit egotistical, I think... and *so* not me to call myself a queen (too low maintenance to have that title). And for some reason, I always think of Diva and Queen being in the same category, both of which I'm not. But I can hold a handstand, so if I had to be Queen of something, I'm glad it's that!