The Dalton Gang

The Dalton Gang was a gang of brothers, plus a few other old fashioned perps, who ran around the country robbing trains and pulling some real deal western bank heists.  Their reign of the wild west ended in Ocober of 1852 in Coffeyville, KS when the gang attepmted to pull off robbing two banks in the same town, at the same time - something no other outlaw gang had ever attempted.  The plan was to take in enough money in this one robbery for the entire gang to leave the country.

I suppose these brothers weren't the smartest though (shocker), as they elected their very own hometown to attempt this daring robbery.  Ultimately, the townies recognized the bandits and defended their turf, leaving all but one killed in gunfights throughout the Coffeyville center of town.

Hope you enjoyed my CliffsNotes version of this historical debauchery.

This is one of the original banks where the heist was attempted.

A loveley piece of work depicting the dead brothers.  Painted right on the sidewalk.

A map of the chaos that went on that day, painted on the side of a True Value.

I wonder if Lucius is in my family tree...?

Here's where Bob went down. 

The original city jail where they stored the bodies of the Dalton Gang members who were killed.  Charming.

Lindsey & Nick make it Official

Weddings are a blast, especially when you witness one of your best friends marrying a man who you know deserves her.  A good man who will take care of her and be there for her, one who brings out the best in her just as she does to him.  Couldn't be happier for Nick & Lindsey!  Here are a few of my faves from their beautiful wedding weekend!

Welcome to the Ramily, Nick!  :)

Practicing "The Handoff"

Curious little wedding guests.  Amazing that none of them (or me) ended up IN the water by the end of the night!

Congrats to an amazing couple! xo
Photo credit: Jamee Stimson (I was in the wedding)

Middle of America

By this time tomorrow, I will have successfully driven north-south through the entire state of Kansas on 75 (check that one off the bucket list!).  Only one minor incident on my way to Independence, where I'm pretty sure I drove through a tornado (you can take the girl out of New York...). 

Here are some shots along the way.  If I didn't have a 6 1/2 hour drive from Omaha to Independence, I would have stopped to take more photos.  And no you fools, I did not stop to photograph the storm.

Farm in the Sky

The cool thing about my industrial workplace is that there are vegetables growing above my head.  Seriously.  I often secretly hope I'll see the roots of carrots poking through my office ceiling.  Bringing Corporate Wellness to a whole new level...

So, I visited my friends at Brooklyn Grange today at lunchtime, and took a walk through the aisles of blooming produce.  Can't wait to taste some of this great stuff Farmer Ben is growing (obviously loving the sunflowers too).  Stop by my office on a Wednesday afternoon to pick up some farm fresh goodies!

Hey Farmer Ben!

Queens Rooftop: Water Tower.  American Flag.  Farm.  Air conditioning Units.  Queens kids having a healthy lunch.

Happy Birthday, Grandma

So we celebrated my Grandma's 91st birthday up in CT this afternoon.  She's still a couple of weeks out from the actual day, so this was more like a pre-party, or a rehearsal 91st birthday.  A great day of visiting with the family... trash-talking rounds of cornhole and competitive bocce.  My grandma sure knows how to party.

I typically don't like photographing people, because they move around, talk back, and generally aren't patient with me when I point a camera in their face.  Except little people.  They ham it up all day.  Thanks Avery & Ray!  Plus, shooting on hot sunny days is tough for me... still figuring out this haze with the new camera!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

She is gorgeous, just like her mommy!

this face kills me!

I see a future setter here...

new keys, new view, new borough...

...I could go on, but I think you get the idea.  Moving day is on the 15th, assuming I finish packing this Saturday.  The new place is currently covered in sawdust, but only because my landlord is hooking me up with some sweet new Vermont hardwood floors!

Terra-Cotta Beauty

The New York Architectural Terra-Cotta Building sits humbly in the shadows of the 59th Street Bridge on Vernon Blvd in Long Island City, Queens.  The small beauty that can be easily missed if you're buzzing on by in a hurry, or can be mistaken for a boarded up parks department storage unit, seems to be in her glory at sunset.  Look a little closer and you'll see the brilliant detail that went into the makings of this tiny brick cottage, which was built in 1892!

couldn't help myself...  :)

Independence.

I had a lovely evening of BBQ, vodka infused watermelon, sipping of some fine tequila, mingling with some fabulous new friends and 1/3 of a view of NYC's over the top firework show.  (Hello, why do we show off our display to Jersey, and not Brooklyn & Queens?  What's wrong with the East River?)

Here's a taste of the evening...

Sunset from a Court Street Rooftop in Brooklyn.  Lady Liberty standing tall!

the best i could do in manual setting from a whole borough away...

Vegas!

Nothing like your first trip to Vegas being a 6 day HR conference!  Still... pretty sweet week, and hot as hell.  Highlight?  Met Richard Branson.  Yes, Sir Richard Branson.  Kind of had to chase him down to get my book signed... sometimes it just takes a little extra effort to get what you want.  Also heard Michael J. Fox speak.  Two incredibly inspirational individuals.  And, the pool was nice too :)