Island 172

When I had set out in the morning I’d hoped to see at least one eagle before leaving Wisconsin. I have a certain “quirk” wherein I believe their appearance during certain of my life events gives me “Luck.” For insurance the very moment a small town Mayor declared my wife and I officially married two of them began to circle overhead and cry out. We’d eloped to the Tioga County area and it was just the three of us and the eagles at our ceremony. They later sort of traveled along the same valley with us for a while as we stopped to take our wedding photos.

Back to the point. I hoped to see one.

As traffic at the end of the bridge leaving Wisconsin into Iowa slowed to a stop I spotted one! We were still in WI territory so it counted for “LUCK!” Pivoting in my driver’s seat I had to twist to my 8 o’clock position in order to capture a shot. I only got one in focus before I could see that traffic was going to move once more.

It was then that I resolved to trust in myself and that no matter what lay ahead I was going for it.

I’d finally left Wisconsin to go get Peggy.

#GottaGetPeggy #OIIIIIIIO #JourneyToTheWest

Apalāla

This is not a jeep ad. I just am really into Jeeps. I’m a Butler, PA native. It’s the very birthplace of this vehicle design. It’s what my grandpa drove from Tunisia to Germany during “The War.” He was a driver for the forward artillery observers as they’d rotate out of service. Or die. It’s a “Jeep Thing” as they say.

This is my fourth. Each has been more of an extension of my imagination when it comes to how I enjoy myself. I’ve used them to explore, camp, fly fish, romance, family fun and these days as a photography platform. I have done the majority of the “mods” myself. Each and everyone piece was carefully chosen and researched and bought at discounted prices. This vehicle was literally a gift from Santa. And by that I mean for real as it was an amazing stroke of good fortune that found this in my driveway on Christmas week. Totally by coincidence too, but that’s a different story.

I digress. Just to answer what everyone usually asks. The Sanskrit writing on the hood says, “Apalala.” It’s the name of a legendary river dragon from Buddhist mythology. Why so is also a story for another day, as are the “why so’s?” to the rest. They are boar and ravens and little stuff just for fun.

I once heard someone say Jeeps were for people with no personalities. OK.

All I know is I was going to finally wear out my stock tires! It was time to earn some new shoes going to get Peggy and bring her home. Whoever the heck may be.

#GottaGetPeggy #OIIIIIIIO #JourneyToTheWest #Apalāla