I'm Downsizing...

After all who needs all that space and stuff in Barley the Van? It's practically a Super Walmart minus the "Greeters" and electric shopping carts in the aisles.

Meet Sparky! 

I know, it's a bit snug for sleeping. I had to sell my baby Grand Piano too. You know the one in Barley's parlor beneath the chandelier, next to the fireplace. 

But the gas mileage rocks! I topped it off with an eyedropper of petrol after a week of moseying.

Nah! Sparky is just a temporary downsize. I still have the Big Guy waiting for me in Phoenix. 

We'll be en route to Death Valley National Park. Far, far away from America's shopping malls and department store Santa's. 

Anyone care to join me? There's only one thing more spectacular than a sunrise in Death Valley. That's a sunset in Death Valley. 

So long for now from the Sunshine State.

Best Tasting...

Roseate Spoonbill and Florida Softshell Turtle I ever ate!

The pink one and the Glossy Ibis both fit nicely into the turkey fryer. There was room enough for the turtle too.

No. I didn't go "Survivor" on you. These wetland inhabitants are having enough trouble keeping their heads above water without me ingesting them. 

The Roseate Spoonbill (along with other wading birds) were nearly hunted to extinction for their feathers. Their plumage was used to decorate women's hats in the early 1900's. Fortunately, this fashion statement went extinct before the birds did. 

The turtle is still being pursued for its meat. They are considered a gourmet meal in Asia and parts of the US. They are carnivorous too. Don't put your finger near them, it might go missing. Same applies to skinny dipping males concerning the fifth appendage. 

They are all suffering from loss of habitat and pollution. Poor guys.

And speaking of Holiday Gift Giving, a squeaky clean new copy of "Destroying Demons On the Diagonal" makes a great stocking stuffer (even in Kindle form) for that armchair wanderer you know and adore.

Find it here on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1466482443/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=34211540507&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18373047671724108632&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_1nb522vu14_b

Think of it as buying me one gallon of gas for Barley.

Be well and don't give up your plumage. 

Penthouse View

From Barley the Van.

Good Sunday Morning from Florida,

Jeff

Global Warming...

It's real! 

I saw these critters on the banks of the Mighty Poudre River in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

Nah. Just joshing you. 

All these odd and beautiful creatures were observed in a Florida nature preserve.

The Great Blue Heron (not to be mixed up for the Great White Heron of South Florida) stands tall at four feet. It weighs in at a lean mean 4-5 pounds. Please don't get any ideas of replacing your 2015 Thanksgiving turkey with this dude. They croak when they talk, not even a gobble, gobble, gobble.

You will see Great Blue Herons in Colorado. They probably grow more down feathers to stay warm through the long winters. As a species, they are tough and adaptable. (Like humans). 

Hope no one had any horror stories about Black Friday shopping out there. 

Be safe!

We Give Thanks...

to Abraham Lincoln for declaring Thanksgiving a National Holiday in 1863. 

We give thanks to the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys for providing entertainment while we overeat and over-imbibe the last Thursday of November.

We give thanks to the lowly turkey (our almost National Bird) for making the ultimate sacrifice in providing sustenance and sandwiches while we watch NFL games today. 

Lastly, I give thanks to my bestest family for a great Butterball Turkey dinner with all the fixings on this special day. It's so hard to bake a bird on a Colemen stove in Barley the Van. 

Enjoy the Holiday,

Jeff

PS: Please don't get stampeded at a Best Buy on Black Friday.

Meet Max Sambur...

The first (and only) Made in America male of the Third Generation Sambur variety.

Here lies the future of the baton passing of this unique last name. (You won't find a Sambur in the greater Bismarck, North Dakota phone book.)

Hey Max! No Pressure!

He's a great young man and darn cute too. 

What a guy!

Happy Pre-Thanksgiving from Palm Beach, Florida. 

PS. I suppose I could have helped the Sambur name cause, but I forgot to get married and create sons.

Becoming an Antarctica Explorer...

Is now officially off of my Bucket List.

After 38 years of venturing up, down and sideways in the Grand Canyon, this was my most frigid journey there yet. I was freaking cold! Don't believe it when an REI Lumina sleeping bag is guaranteed to keep your toes snuggly cozy at 25 degrees. It LIES! 

So anyplace remotely close to the point of liquid water turning solid is off of the Sambur Bucket List. 

Despite the abnormal Minnesota temperatures, the Grand Canyon still rocks figuratively and realistically. 

I can't think of too many places I'd rather be turning 60 than the Great Defile. Then again, I never turned 60 before either.

Be well and explore,

Jeff