I'm a Tropical Bird! Really!

The problem with living with humans who waymark in Indiana, is the weather. It gets COLD in Indiana in the winter. Now some of you who have visited this fine state in 2012 might find this difficult to believe. It was a freakishly warm winter last year. But now it's January, 2013, and it is COLD!

Now this wouldn't be so bad if I could hibernate in my nest. Or in my travel bag. But no. Those intrepid waymarkers, Rick and Diane, tore out of their warm home yesterday to do some exploring. The entire phlock had to go along because the bag got thrown into the back seat. I took the lead and warned all my phlock to keep quiet--perhaps they wouldn't remember we were there.

This plan appeared to work. They explored Henry County--just to the east of where they live. They found abandoned cemeteries and places where old pictures had been taken. They found places of which they had read where long ago people lived and died. Rick was in and out of the car, taking pictures in the same location and same view. To think that trains called "Interurbans" actually ran between towns!

The light was fading. It started to snow. Rick and Diane stopped for human fortifications and I thought the phlock and I were safe. But then it almost happened. Rick had one more place he wanted to compare an old photograph to a current place. (You see, there is this waymarking category of Photos Then and Now. Pretty self explanatory.) It had an address--based on the grid system. Easy to find. So off we went. To be fair to Rick, it was on the way home. To give you an idea of what this is like, here is the "then" photo.

And here is the "now" photo. With snow flying...

Do you see me in this photo? No. I am not in this photo. I am snug in the backseat of the car, safely hidden in my traveling bag. So off we went again, heading for home where there is a fireplace. I was so excited. We were going to make it! We were going to stay warm and tropical.

But through the snow and in the dusk, Diane spots an Indiana Historical Sign. Out of her mouth comes the words "That's already a waymark!" I was done for. Posing on signs is my specialty, especially since the wire surgery. Diane pulls over, Rick selects me from the bag as I knew he would, and out into the biting cold we went. I am a dedicated bird, but I was freezing. Rick placed me on top of the sign, but he didn't secure the wire. Down I went. Face first. Into the snow. Rick plucks me out and puts me back on the sign.
At least he moved quickly. Picture taken, off we went.

So here I am...

This one shot logged the dnrseekers team three visits. This sign has to do with nine Indians being massacred. White people actually were tried and convicted and hung for the crime. Pretty sad piece of history!

Well, Rick and Diane assure me I home going to the tropics next week. They say we are flying down..by flying Southwest. Clearly Florida is South EAST! I sure hope we actually make it. Humans flying? Should I be afraid? This could be one messed up trip. I've seen how they drive. I can only imagine how they fly.  Regardless, this bird has snow on his feet and its time for the feel of sand between my toes.

Florida here I come!

Philbert

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My humans have been celebrating the holidays and have been staying pretty close to home. So for the New Year, I thought I would share with you their profile as listed on waymarking.com. It kind of explains how I came to be....

Why play Where's Waldo Waymarker when you have pink flamingos to fill the world? Doesn't make sense to you??? Well read on...

Rick and Diane enjoy exploring and finding the odd and unusual. Both of us are somewhat camera shy, so we've allowed Philbert to adopt us and stand in to verify we were actually at all the places we say we were. Philbert is a "phlamingo"...actually, an entire "phlock" of "phlamingos" available for photo opportunities of all sorts. You will find him either obviously, or not so obviously in most of our visits and many of our own waymarks. It all depends on the setting as to which Philbert has his photo taken. It's great fun and he has turned out to be a inspiration for us to keep waymarking. We have turned it into a game to find new ways and poses to slip him into our photos. 

The only down side to all this frolic is our friends (the few we have left...) seriously question our sanity. With our ever handy bag full of pink flamingos ready to be pulled out at moments notice the raised eyebrows seem to grow exponentially. None the less while most think our capacities have flown the coop we think we have only begun to tap the potential of this most admirable pink avian creature. They are undoubtedly destined to replace those silly white geese and their outfits adorning everyone's front lawns if given half a chance. 

Yes, given the direction our country is headed its only a matter of time before everyone is able to realize the American dream of owning their very own pink plastic flamingo and joy of placing it in the front yard as a symbol of their undying patriotism. It is with abundant gratitude that through waymarking we, dnrseekers, are able to introduce this amazing pink bird to noteworthy sites throughout the world and share the love! (It's hard to believe some people don't take this waymarking thing seriously isn't it???)


My resolution for the new year is to look as phabulous as I possible can and to not fall off of signs when I am put there. I would say it is to blog more regularly, but I have to rely on either Rick or Diane for that. 

Happy New Year!

Philbert--the newest phlock members and me...the uncle