Kentucky State Fair

We visited the KY State Fair in Louisville this past weekend. This picture was taken at the entrance to the exposition center. The character in the background, a fair tradition, is 'Freddy Farmer'. While I was standing there he was making various comments about the Segway such as 'Looka' there at that strange buggy he's got', etc.

Inside one of the exhibit halls. These pictures represent just one of the many examples of the places I have been able to visit because of the mobility afforded me by the Segway.

Deja' Vu

To quote the great Yogi Berra, "This is just like Deja' Vu all over again."
As stated in a previous post, "the Segwayman loves to eat." Here I'm getting ready to chow down on a good ole' piece of funnel cake at the Woodland Arts Fair in Lexington, KY. The funnel cake, fresh from being fry-drowned in a vat of grease and covered with a liberal coating of powdered sugar sure tasted great.
The picture in the very 1st post on this blog was taken 2 years ago at this same event. I can see that I haven't aged at all ;-)
This will be the first of several of Kentucky fairs and festivals we'll probably be attending this fall.
The Segway has held up fine over the past 2 years, but I am getting ready to order a new set of fenders to satisfy the desire to keep it looking fresh and new.
Several people have mentioned the newest Segway model (with the tilting center control shaft) to me, but right now I like and need the stability that the rigid handlebar shaft gives me as I am flying along at Segway speed Mach I (12.5 mph) Seriously, I do look forward to trying one out.
Today as I was with my wife and we passed a vendors tent, one of the workers inside looked up at me as I was slowly gliding by and said "You look like you're flying". I replied with certainty, "I am", and flew on.

"Oh, The Places You'll Go"

I easily recall the excitement I felt when the Segway was delivered to my door by UPS two years ago on August 3, 2004 (August 3rd is my oldest daughters birthday and that's why I remember it arriving on the exact day). I can't help but think, as I reflect back on that day, about how truly unaware I was as to what an important role the Segway would come to play in my life. I try to imagine what it would be like at this point for me, with my Progressive MS, if I didn't use the machine for mobility, and the thoughts are not pleasant. So, I try not to think about it very much.
I've often said that if something happens to me out in public on the Segway, and some accident occurs resulting in my having severe enough injuries that I have to be scraped up off the pavement/sidewalk and taken to the hospital emergency room, that before the doctors begin to try to fix my broken bones and address my injuries, the first thing they are going to have to do is wipe the grin off my face. That explains in essence what the machine means to me.

I also felt like when I acquired the Segway and received the owners manual, that for me at least, it would have been most appropriate to have also been presented the Dr. Suess book "Oh, The Places You'll Go".

PS - I hope I have the name spelled right - to Bob Seigal, I just received you Email and was trying to respond, but inadvertently deleted it when I was trying to reply. Thanks so much and I wish you and your brother the best of luck. Tell him to hang in there.

Newport Aquarium

We visited the Newport Aquarium just outside of Cincinnati this week. The cool temperatures inside the aquarium provided some respite from the high temperatures outside. This picture was taken inside the 'tunnel' where we were surrounded by large fish and divers, one of which can just barely be seen in the dark background. This open area featured beautifully colored birds flying about and perched on tree limbs. The kids enjoyed playing in the sand at the 'dinasour dig' area.
Sam and his Mum were at the shark petting pool. Small sharks swam by and children were encouraged to touch them. I'm not sure who should be most afraid, Sam or the sharks.