Miscellaneous Photos
Visit to the Michigan Steam Engine and Threashers Club Annual Reunion
On July 25th, I visited the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club Annual Reunion. This event is held each July near Mason, Michigan. The event draws over 200 antique tractors and includes plowing demonstrations, threshing demonstrations, tractor pulling, a flea market and much more.
Steam Powered Tractors
Internal Combustion Tracters
Plowing Demonstration
Steam Powered Saw Mill in Operation
Mineral Hunting Trip
In June, a friend and I went on a rock and mineral hunting trip in the Upper Peninsula. We visited the
Caledonia Mine near Mass city, Michigan. Visitors can purchase a two yard ‘pile’ of ore for $50. We had around four hours to dig through the piles. Minerals such as copper, calcite, epidote, feldspar and datolite can be found. Anything you find in the pile is yours to keep. As you can see from the photos, I found some nice pieces of native copper.
We also visited the
Quincy Mine in Hancock, Michigan. The tour included both an underground portion and a tour of the hoist house. The massive, reinforced concrete, hoist house enclosed the worlds largest steam hoist.
This was actually a good time. I might visit them again in the future.
Caledonia Mine photos
Quincy Mine Photos
Quincy Mine Steam Hoist Photos
Artwork for the Jackson Model Rocketry Club
In 2006, the Jackson Model Rocketry Club commissioned me to create a high resolution Saturn 5 illustration for their organization. Here are some images of the finished artwork on the clubs trailer.
These photos were taken on August 10, 2006 at an aviation event in Mason, Michigan.
For more information about the club, visit the
Jackson Model Rocketry Club website.
The artwork was printed by
JP SIGNS and GRAPHICS.
My Ride in a Texan
In the summer of 1998, I went for a ride in a T-6 Texan. The 30-minute flight was purchased from North American Top Gun. During the flight, I was able to fly several maneuvers, including chandelles, aileron rolls, and loops.
The package included a video of the flight. Most of the images below are screencaps from that video. The Texan flight was a great experience. I can recommend it to others.
For more information, visit the
NORTH AMERICAN TOP-GUN website.
Ford Tri-Motor Flight
In the late 1990's, I went for a ride in a Ford Tri-Motor. The plane is owned by the
Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The ride lasted 30 minutes and cost around $35. Unfortunately, the museum is not currently offering rides in the tri-motor. The plane has been grounded due to severe corrosion problems.
(To be honest, there's something unnerving about flying in a 70-year-old aircraft bearing the Ford logo. Of course, I'm sure the tri-motor is safe. After all, Its no accident that the Ford Motor Company has become such a giant in the aviation industry.)
(These photos were taken by Richard Kruse and Kevin Reynolds.)
Waco Ride
In 1994, I went for a ride in a Waco open cockpit biplane. The ride was purchased while visiting the
Flying Tigers Warbird Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. The EPCOT globe can be seen in the last image.
I've heard the Waco has since crashed and rides are no longer available.
(These photos were taken by Richard Kruse.)
Saturn 5 Replica
Here are some photos of the full size Saturn 5 replica at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. These photos were taken in 2001.
(These photos were taken by Kevin Reynolds)
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter during the Summer of 2001.
For more information -
Fort Sumter National Monument (National Park Service)
Soo Locks
These photos were taken during a visit to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The photos were taken in 2001.
While there, we took a boat tour through the locks.
For more information -
Soo Locks Boat Tours
