Upside Ann

  Chicago Field Museum, 2026

Elements of our touring group are big, big Pokémon players.  As a consequence, and because it was also Mr. Level-40's birthday, we included the Field Museum of Chicago where a Pokémon "fossil" exhibit was taking place.  While there are (probably) tons of cool stuff at the Field Museum, given Zupe's attention challenges, we focused on three areas. 1. Pokémon exhibit  2. Egyptian exhibit - I was hoping that June's series of Rick Riordan graphic novels of the Kane Chronicles and rewatching the Marvel Moon Knight series would instill a fascination for pyramids, mummies, ushabti.  Well, I thought it was fascinating though I had to view it all on fast forward. 3. Fossils -dinosaurs and other extinct creatures (which were never residents of a pokeball).  The absolute best element of this area was the poet in residence- who, if you tell him something you know about dinosaurs, will write you a poem.  Right then and there.  Despite Zupe's impatience, I got...

 I figure when your framing/cropping is off to begin with and there IS no way to make it perfect, make the skew extreme.   So, here you have it! Me, Paul Bunyun with his hotdog, and a bag from the gift shop with a miniature version of said giant inside.  Trust me.  He's there. Athens, Illinois  2026

Yep, Here is my kid breaking the rules to pick a flower in a national park.  He wanted to carry it for 2 days to give to his "sister" in Colorado.  The boy has a loving heart...with a rebellious streak.

  Indiana Sand Dunes National Park.  This.  This was my favorite element.  Though, additionally, the gift shop had some pictures I appreciated.  But being in the wilds of Indiana - not for me.  Three words.  Hot.  Humid.  Mosquitoes.  And all the latter preferred me far and above my companions.  I had been to the Sand Dunes once before in 1990.  A long, long time ago.  On the day before my crappy new (used) car broke down for the third time in as many weeks needing repair in St. Louis and then have its muffler crap out before we got back to Ohio.  Even with all that garbage, I remember that the dunes were dismal.  Kevin, however, has set a goal to visit all the national parks. Indiana Dunes:  1.  One dune that seems to be creeping across a parking lot and devouring trees.  It does have a taste for people having sampled an 8-year-old boy- so guests must stay behind the rope on the opposite side of t...

 Here, I worship the jackalope of the variety chainsawious.   Wall, SD  2026