Going "Parking"

(NOTE: View a larger picture by clicking on the photo(s) above.)

QUIZ: What is another word for “thumb?” Don’t know? Think about it for a minute. I’ll give you the answer a little later.

The pictures you see are some more of earlier trips. This time it is Mount Rushmore. More precisely, information about the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. The first picture was taken inside the museum and shows Borglum, the Sculptor, “hanging out” on the mountain inspecting the work. The second picture shows an actual sling used for that purpose and the gear equipment to operate it. The third picture is a shot of Borglum himself. You will note the sign to the left of the figure which gives information concerning his work. The last picture is a shot of that information. You will need to click to enlarge the photo to read the information. Quite interesting.

Now, let’s get on with the week that was. It has been real busy with a lot of doctor stuff. We are finished with that for awhile. Everything is going to remain “status quo” for now, meaning no surgery or invasive stuff going on for me. Can’t speak now for the future, but we are going to go about our business until such things are absolutely necessary. Going about our business right now means “Parking.“

What is Parking? It is not what you used to do as a teenager in your parent‘s car. Forget about it! It is my own term for the life style we will be pursuing for a while. The past year was spent traveling a great deal. We have shared that with you in over 56,000 words of text and pictures. Now, considering the cost of fuel and everything else, we are going to spend time volunteering in Georgia State Parks. We will be assisting the Rangers in helping in the campground. This activity is called “hosting.” Hosting is generally of two types, helping campers and maintaining the park grounds. I mentioned this to you last week.

We are now scheduled to be at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, GA for three months (July - September). Winder is about 20 miles from where our son Don lives. Then, for the months of October - December we will be at Stephen Foster State Park in deep Southern Georgia in the heart of the Okefenokee Swamp about 67 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. In January of next year we will move a little to the north of the Swamp (about 98 miles) to General Coffee State Park until April ‘09. After that, it is whatever we decide. We may move to another Park spot (in some State or other) or we may decide to do a little more traveling about. We’ll let you know when we decide.

Have you thought of the other word for “thumb” yet? Have you searched the dictionary? Have you tried looking it up on the Internet? No? I didn’t think you would. You are just sitting there waiting for me to tell you, huh? Why do I bring this up? It is just something I do. You ought to know that by now. Actually, it has to do with going to the doctor. How?

In many doctor’s offices they have these video screens filled with medical information that is shown in the waiting rooms to educate and entertain those wishing they weren’t there at all. In spite of one’s self, it grabs attention. This is one of those little tidbits of information that passed in view. The other word for thumb is “pollex.” That’s it. No other information was given.

Of course, we being who we are, that little bit of information didn’t satisfy us. We wanted to know more. So where do you go when you want to know something? I don’t know where you go, but we go to the Internet. The fountain of all knowledge (and misinformation). This is what we found. “Pollex” is derived from the Latin “pollere” meaning “to be strong.” So chosen because the thumb is considered the strongest of the fingers. The Romans, however, used the word to indicate both the thumb and the big toe. But, in anatomy “pollex” is used for the thumb and “hallux” is used for the big toe. So now you know. Go confound your friends.

We will be leaving this spot in Tennessee to begin our “new” lifestyle on Tuesday, July 1st. As our lifestyle changes so may this blog. Since we will not be moving about often, we may not have a lot of exciting travels to share on a weekly basis, therefore, perhaps a monthly writing would be more appropriate. I am sure we will have many things to share with you, but it may lend itself more to a monthly “newsletter” than a weekly blog.

You can look for more words of wisdom on or about August 1st (or sooner if I so decide.) You can keep a check on the blog just in case I have some exciting news that I just can’t wait to share. The format of the blog may change a bit, or not. You’ll just have to check back to see.

Until I talk to you again, have a lot of fun! We intend to!!! Then……we’ll talk.