Exit Now...

This unique combination of building and billboard sits right between the I-64 entrance and exit ramps to Leon Sullivan Way in Downtown Charleston, WV.

Lee Street

A view of downtown Charleston, WV from the Charleston Civic Center pedestrian bridge over Lee Street E.

Up A Palm

Looking up from the base of a palm tree in Florida.

Alligator Farm #3

My wife thought this albino american alligator looked like white chocolate, but I really don't think she would want a bite of this guy. He looks pretty small in the picture, but is really about 10 feet long in person.

Freddy Krueger

Freddy Krueger (Nightmare of Elm Street) was one of the many characters we had the opportunity to see at the Potter's Wax Museum in St. Augustine, Fl.

Alligator Farm #2

Palm Trees

Fort Bragg E-31

We followed a tractor trailer truck hauling a fire engine on our way back from Florida. Since it was time to fuel up anyways, we pulled into the same truck stop so I could take a few photos. The engine was E-31 from the Fort Bragg (Army) Fire Department in Fort Bragg, NC. The truck was enroute back to Fort Bragg from getting refurbished at the Emergency One (E-One) plant in Ocala, FL.

Elvis has.....

not left the building. He is still standing very still in the Potter's Wax Museum in St. Augustine Florida.

Engine 3 - St. Augustine FD

Engine 3 of the St. Augustine, Fl. Fire Department rounding the corner.

Alligator Farm

We visited the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in St. Augustine, Florida last week. Here is one my many photos from the park.

Cruise Ships

Close to Green Cove Springs, Florida is a old sea port that is used to repair old boats and ships. Here are a couple of the ships that were at dock on the day that I drove down to see the boats. I made this photo into a cartoon for effect, since the old ships were a little rough looking.

The Clay Theatre

This is the Clay Theatre in Green Cove Springs, Fl. The last time that I visited this theatre was when Forest Gump was playing. The theatre is now for sale for 1.5 million.

Parkway Drive-In

One of Southern West Virginia's best hotdog joints is located just outside of the entrance to Chief Logan State Park in Logan, WV. It's hotdog's are very close to those of Morrison's Hotdogs in Stollings, WV.

Bus On The Rock

This bus on the rocks is a Fayette County landmark that has drawn the attention of many passerby's. A fishing camp of a local resident, the bus is an actual greyhound bus that was put on a rock in the river over 50 years ago. This is located near the intersections of the Gauley and New River in Gauley Bridge, WV. (click to enlarge)

Thurmond Railroad Bridge

Thurmond Train Bridge located near the Thurmond Rail Depot in Thurmond, WV. There is actually a automobile bridge that runs parallel to this bridge if you look to the left of the train bridge.

Thurmond Railroad Depot

We visited the Thurmond Raildroad Depot this weekend while in Fayette County. It was like stepping back into history. It's a beautiful drive with plenty of waterfalls and historic scenery.

St Albans Flooding

St. Albans and the surrounding area's suffered flooding today. This photo is of the Washington Avenue underpass.

Cocoon

I saw these little guys crawling around there cocoon the other day. Definitely a promising sign that summer is on the way.

Pudgy The Bulldog

I couldnt help but post this photo. We had a family get together this weekend at my aunt's house. While we were standing outside this bulldog came over and went in their garage and got into the trash. He was walking around carrying a dirty paper plate in his mouth. He then sat it down and cleaned his plate.

Portable Monitors

We had the opportunity to train with a new piece of equipment last night during out paid-on-call drill. The department has two portable monitors for interior and exterior firefighting operations. They can flow 500 gallons per minute with a straight tip or fog nozzle. They totally supercede the portable deck guns that we used previously. They are lighter and easier to operate.

The Greatest Show On Earth!

We went to the the RB&BB Circus yesterday. It appears that they have scaled back the production from years previous, but its still awesome. Every man, woman and child should have the opportunity to get to see it.

The Boomer

My wife pointed this ride out to me while we were at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We enjoyed a laugh while looking at the sign. We have an inside joke that goes hand it hand with this sign.

Fulton Road Bridge

I took this shot from the Northern Trek at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. They were constructing a bridge to replace an old bridge that had been demolished. The new bridge is expected to be completed in the summer of 2009.

RB&BB Elephant Lunch

The elephants of RB&BB Circus took to the streets of Charleston today for a healthy lunch of apples, bananas, carrots and lettuce outside the Charleston Town Center Mall.

Pacaderm Preview

The circus is officially in town. Here is a shot from the short parade of animals from the circus train to the Civic Center Arena.

RB&BB Circus Train

The RB&BB circus train arrived in Charleston today. If you want to catch a peek of the train, it is broken into several pieces. The animal cars are located behind Dohm Cycle in Charleston. The personnel cars are located at the Dickinson rail yard, just in front of Riverside High School.

Cleaveland Metropark Zoo

We went to the Cleaveland Metropark Zoo this weekend. It was perfect cool weather and not many visitors to fight with, it made for a great experience (even though the elephants weren't there due to a remodel).

I don't feel lucky.....

...even though I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express this weekend while in the Akron/Cleaveland area.

Coming Soon...

Ladies and Gentelmen, Boys and Girls of all ages.....Coming Soon...The Greatest Show On Earth!

Men of Station 7

On Thursday March 26, 2009, Boomer Volunteer Fire Department in Fayette County lost a great leader, March A. Tucker, Sr. He dedicated his entire life to the Fire and EMS field. He was a fire chief for over 15 years. He was my first fire chief and also a friend of mine. He was given a much earned firefighters funeral and final farewell. He will be always be remembered and missed.

Chief 1001 - Firefighter Funeral

David Wesley "Hog" Thomas passed away on March 20, 2009. He was the active fire chief of the Montgomery Fire Department in Montgomery, WV. He was a leader, a mentor and a friend of many. He is survived by his wife Kathy and son Brian "Piglet". "Hog" you will be missed and forever remembered.

Morisson's Drive-In

I'm not a huge hotdog fan. There are only two types of hotdogs that I like. First being those that Matt makes at the fire station. Second, would be those at Morisson's Drive-In in Stollings, WV. Thats located in Logan County, just outside of the city of Logan.

Yesterday my father in law and I was out and about and decided to go down to Logan County to have lunch. What a treat that was. If you ever in the area, stop and see what i'm talking about. (the onion rings werent fresh, so you may want to pass on those)

Happy St. Patty's Day

This very tall and obese version of a leprechaun was spotted in downtown Charleston today. Happy St. Patricks Day!

Canned

Someone at my work has a huge crate of empty soda cans that they recycle on occasion. Of course the price of alluminum is down, so they are really starting to pile up.

Marble King

The WV Division of Culture and History currently has on display an exhibit from Marble King located in Paden City, WV. One of the displays is the Marble King logo which is a 6 foot by 16 foot exhibit of 47,232 marbles and weighs nearly 400 pounds. Definetly something worth taking a look at if you are at WV State Cultural Center in Charleston, WV.

Fish Out Of Water

If you ever have the chance to go to Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park, be sure to take some extra time out of your schedule to visit the marina. I took this photo at the marina last summer while visiting my aunt on a house boat they rented for the weekend. If you go to the marina, you can purchase bags of dogfood to feed the carp for only $1.00.

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

The WV State Fallen Firefighters Memorial is located on the north side of the Cultural Center at the WV State Capitol Complex in Charleston, WV. The monument has the names of all of the WV firefighters that have died in the line of duty. An interesting fact is that the guy that posed for this statue is a volunteer firefighter from a Boone County fire department. A very fitting tribute to those who have fallen.

Ink Cabinet

I titled this blog Paper n' Ink, so I think I should justify it by showing a picture of one of our ink cabinets. This cabinet plays host to a variety of types of ink and even more colors. The top three colors: Black, Reflex Blue and PMS Gold 871. Of course these are the traditional colors to print state letterheads and envelopes.

Kanawha Terrace Crash

There was a crash with minor damage this morning on Kanawha Terrace in the area of Joe's Mart. I stopped by to take a few photos before I went to work.

AB Dick 360

I took these photos yesterday from the uncovered operator's side of an AB Dick 360 printing press. This press is from the early 1970's and is still used in our shop every day to print letterhead and NCR forms.

Grave Digger - St. Albans

Imagine this.... Your driving down the street in hopes to get some food at Pizza Hut and you look up to see a car crushing monster truck sitting in the road. Thats what happened to me last month. The world famous Grave Digger Monster Truck was parked in front of Advance Auto for everyone to take a look at. The driver was inside the store answering questions and signing autographs. Since I couldn't take it for a spin, I left to go eat my pizza.