Puerto Rico Declares Zika Emergency

Great! Just in time for a trip to Puerto Rico, a state of Zika emergency is declared. I can only hope this means the beaches will be empty and the touristy spots less crowded. I'm not pregnant... so here's hoping for no Guillain-Barre syndrome!

From breitbart.com: “The situation doesn’t look good right now. We already get calls from people asking if it is safe to travel to Puerto Rico, considering the economic conditions. If you combine this with the CDC’s advice, it could certainly influence some people not to travel,” commented Justin Vélez-Hagan of The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce. He said it would likely be several months before the data was available to determine how much Puerto Rican tourism had suffered from the Zika alert.

I'm not cancelling my plans...

Highline - Chelsea

Memphis!  Take notes. This is what the Greenline should look like.

Oh, Deanna

Deanna?  What on earth did you do to Rape Face?

Cripple of Inishmaan

This theatre is small but comfy.  If only I could shut the old British fart up behind me.  Apparently he doesn't think he should have to move his head any to see.  It's not my problem you're short and wouldn't spring for better seats.  Grumpy old fuck!

The Morning After

Our room, first morning.

Three Minutes!!

So... I got up yesterday at 3:30 am!!!  I am not a morning person...but was excited to get this vacation started.  When I get to the airport I was checking by bag and the Southwest Airlines clerk gave me a cockeyed look and said, "you are 3 minutes past the deadline so I cannot guarantee your luggage will get there."  Well... They got it there!  I'll be honest, I was surprised.  This is Southwest after all.  Now, the car driver from the airport, that is another story...

A new adventure with an old friend!

The day has finally come to have a new adventure!!!  New Orleans here we come...with BESSIE!!!!!  Yes, I said Bessie!  The rental car we drove across country and bonded with over thousands of miles has somehow found her way back to us!  We are amazed....she still looks the same, however, they were able somehow to get the aroma of three grown men traveling across country out of her interior!  As we get closer to New Orleans we  are ready to laissez les bons temps rouler.  Let the cynicism begin!!!!

Las Vegas...I really miss Southland in West Memphis

So, I did it... I gambled in Vegas!  Let me tell you, I think the Indians have looser purse stings than these tightwads!  I lost $41 dollars!  I'm no fan West Memphis, however, at least Southland Casino pays out sometimes!  Vegas did me dirty...
On a side note, the Asian tourist phenomena study is progressing and the findings are worrisome... the farther west we get their flocks seem to get bigger.  They are fascinating but I'm starting to dread when I hear the low guttural grunt in the distance...

The big hole...

This being my first trip out west, how could I not stop at the Grand Canyon?  It certainly was a huge hole in the ground - however, I was more amazed by another first for me... the Asian tourist.  

These tourists sure can move and they do so in flocks.  Just as quick as they stop, the leader will throw his flag in the air, make a deep guttural grunt, and they all take off again toward him, leaving all the Americans and other tourists at the scene of the conquest with bewildered but relieved looks on their faces.  

I will have to study more on this phenomena.  Until then, here are some pictures we managed to snap in between the crowds...

Painted Desert/Petrified Forest... It's Just a Bunch of Rocks

Watch for RV's!!  I think a few elderly couples retired back in the 1970's, got lost in their RV, and have wandered the Painted Desert ever since.  Do not get behind them.

They also call this area The Badlands, but I think that is unfair.  I'd call it the "Just Okay Lands" - see for yourself...