The John Shinnick 5 Year, 50 State (and D.C.) Pledge!
Recreated Feb. 20, 2021
Alabama
It was 1955, Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. This turned out to be a key event in the Civil Rights Movement. It's fitting that a major Civil Rights Memorial be located here. This piece has etched in it some of the most prominent events in the Movement from the outlawing of segregation to the assassination of King. A space was left in the circle of events to signify that the struggle began before the fisrt listing and that it continues to this day. (5-29-09)
Alaska
I came, I saw, I took a helicopter ride to Mendenhall Glacier and CONQUERED! This was part of a cruise I took on the Diamond Princess. At mid-afternoon it was a bit over freezing. I had great weather pretty much the whole time. I never saw Sarah. Her loss. (9-1-09)
[Note: Who the hell was Sarah? 2-20-21]
Arizona
Highly recommended to me was that I attend spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. I drove down and saw 4 games in 4 days. My beloved Giants lost all four, including one in which they hit six home runs but lost 7-6. GREAT preparation for me to deal with the 2007 season!
Still, here is the highlight, Willie McCovey and Lon Simmons, two fine gentlemen if ever there were, not 10 feet from me. Now THAT'S why I went! (3-12-07)
California
Lots of time to see my home state, but how often we ignore great stuff nearby. This is Mono Lake, taken on my March, 2007 trip to Spring Training. It's a couple of hours south of Lake Tahoe off of hwy. 395. Well worth seeing. (3-9-07)
Colorado
I flew into Durango, Colorado in August, 2006 to have a reunion with the Void Where Prohibited band as it existed when I joined in 1999. We played a couple of gigs there. Here I am on the stage at Scoot 'n Blues with Larry Carver, Drew Gordon and Eric Montizambert. Great fun!
[Note: Exact date unknown. Rock historians will curse me.]
Connecticut
It was 6/5/11, and I was in a foul mood. I was coming up from Atlantic City, a stressful drive to say the least. It took me over the George Washington Bridge in New York City. I hate city driving anyway (don't we all?) and I'd had no internet access with which to make a hotel reservation. More stress.
When I crossed the border from New York into Connecticut, however, the traffic seemed to thin and I came to a "Scenic Overlook" right near my turnoff into Mystic. It was just gorgeous. I suddenly had a good feeling. I threw a dart at the hotel dart board and checked into the Inn at Mystic. Sometimes you get lucky. Great place!
It was maybe 4:00 and I drove into the town. It was Sunday afternoon and the place was lively without being crowded. Several bands in the eating establishments (I heard some good blues at the one where I had dinner) and a great vibe overall. I took this shot down the Mystic River toward the ocean. I stayed an extra night and spent the next day at "Mystic Seaport", a great indoor / outdoor museum of American nautical history.
All you stamp collectors, the Mystic Stamp Company has nothing to do with this place!
I really, really like this place! (6-5-11)
Arkansas
What a pleasant surprise! Make no mistake, the Ozarks are very pretty, but my drive through them was pretty unspectacular. At the end of the Rand-McNally recommended route was Eureka Springs. Tucked away in the northwest corner of the state, it was somehow trendy but not overrun. Pleanty to do but a great place to unwind. They even have opera if you're so inclined. Also carriage rides. A great end to The Longest Drive Tour! (6-1-09)