Omaha, Nebraska

Despite its small size, Omaha is the largest city in the State and by no means displeasing. The first thing I noticed was the cleanliness of all the buildings and streets, while the second thing was Bon Jovi rattling out a number or two from the album 'Slippery When Wet'. Sure that I was going to meet both the man himself and the stylish Richie Sambora, tracks were made toward the sounds where I found a mini carnival going on with people in inflatable suits, barbeque's and these

Abseilers descending from

the town's tallest building.

All in the name of raising funds for the local Boy Scout Troups, I crossed the road to seek the aid of a couple of Fire Fighters who where only too happy to help. Putting me right about hotels downtown and the local Nature reserves (at last), the people around were intrigued to know that not only was I a fairly good Scout, but also live not 20 miles from where the organisation was first formed by Lord Baden Powell.Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset was the site of the very first camp and from there the word spread throughout the world.

Reserve Enhancement & Protection.

$10 in a taxi then got me to the

Lewis & Clark

National Wetland Reserve. As a result of visiting this site, I had unknowingly strayed into yet another State. Crossing the Missouri River bridge we were now in Idaho. Later in the week the plan is to cross this State from west to east and maybe clue up in Chicago, but that is as yet still in the melting pot.

Northern Cardinal

Managed to rattle a few shots off of this fine male.

Canada Goose, slightly more 'genuine' than we're used to but not a lot.

Northern Flicker of the 'yellow shafted' variety which occur east of the Rocky Mountains.

Red-eyed Vireo, now I know a few people who would like to pluck one of these from a 'mist net'.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, female / juvenile.

Turkey Vulture has been a regular and often species, but this is the nearest so far,

and a few waterside plants that remain unidentified but you may find pleasing!


Trip Total - 49 World Lifers - 4 Total States - 12

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, Away, you rolling river Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you Away, I'm bound to go, cross the wide Missouri.

Some Omaha Street Scenes

Wells Fargo, one of the lynch pins of the USA, pity I couldn't gain access to photograph an original Stage Coach.

St Joseph's on Douglas & 19th.

Fire Brigade - The Move!

Downtown

The Cathedral

Omaha Central High School

and front view, what an Academy?

and The Wichita Lineman Is Still On The Line - Glen Campbell

The appropriate amendment has been made to Friday's post where a slip of the finger must have allowed me to note 49 States had been visited so far this trip and not the accurate 9. There are only 50 for heavens sake!

After a much needed rest at the most comfortable Rest Haven Court Motel in Springfield, Missouri, I considered a visit to the State wouldn't have seemed complete without at least a glimpse of the Ozarks. As anyone who was listening to music in the early 70's would remember The Ozark Mountain Daredevils took their name from this 'range'. Looking at the map, it wasn't going to be difficult to make a detour to the south and then cut back north for my next destination Wichita, Kansas.

During this onward journey we encountered the first serious adverse weather thus far. Driving the Plains under the cover of dark made both sheet and forked lightning much more dramatic, while the rain and wind at times seemed to be slowing the Greyhound down.

Not the most memorable city this trip, at least the weather had cheered up and there were a few hours to wander the neighbourhood in the hope of a bird or two. First on the day list was

American Crow with a 'call' I can only describe as that of 'yelps' from Indian warriors attacking the invaders!

Eastern Wood Pewee* a welcome addition to the trip list.

Brown Thrasher - again I hear you say, but you have to get these 'skulkers' when you can!

Thought to be Willow Flycatcher*, one of a small group that Americans call Trails Flycatchers after the Latin name of this species Empidonax traillii which are difficult for them let alone me!

No, this shot wasn't imported from Radipole Lake it is a distant but genuine Hooded Merganser*,

while this Pied-billed Grebe* held off even further.

One of many Osage Orange Trees hereabouts, the fruits of which are locally known as Hedge Apples. When these fall, split and start to ferment they makeirresistible food for Butterflies and other insects. In addition, I was told, the wood from these trees is the chosen preference by the Indians (and other manufactures today) to make their bows, the strong yet pliable branches proving ideal. Among them:-

Red-spotted Purple Butterfly,

a much more obliging Monarch Butterfly,

the strangest 'dragon' I've ever seen, Black Saddlebags (I wonder why?)

beautiful but unidentified and

a ragged unidentified Moth.

Blue Jay

Like our own Jay they are 'skittish' to say the least, so feel lucky to have got even these shots!

Those marked * above are additions to the Trip List.

Trip Total - 42 World Lifers - 4 Total States visited this Trip - 11

I am a Lineman for the county, and I drive the mainroad. Lookin' in the sun for another overload. I hear you singing in the wire, I can hear you thru the whine. And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line.

Footnote:-

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils are a country rock band formed in 1972 in Springfield, Missouri, USA. They are most widely known for their singles "If You Wanna Get To Heaven" in 1974 and "Jackie Blue" in 1975. Some have described the band's sound as a "countrified Steely Dan". The Daredevils are also mentioned in the "Don's Story" chapter of American humorist DavidSedaris' book, Barrel Fever. Bassist Michael "Supe" Granda has also written a book about the band, titled It Shined.

James Marshal Hendrix 27-11-42 to 18-09-70

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendricks, (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is often considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music by other musicians and commentators in the industry, and one of the most important and influential musicians of his era across a range of genres.After initial success in Europe, he achieved fame in the United States following his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Later, Hendrix headlined the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival and the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. Hendrix often favored raw overdriven amplifiers with high gain and treble and helped develop the previously undesirable technique of guitar amplifier feedback. Hendrix was one of the musicians who popularized the wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock which he often used to deliver an exaggerated pitch in his solos, particularly with high bends and use of legato. He was influenced by blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Albert King and Elmore James, rhythm and blues and soul guitarists Curtis Mayfield, Steve Cropper, as well as by funk and some modern jazz. In 1966, Hendrix, who played and recorded with Little Richard's band from 1964 to 1965, said, "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice."

As a record producer, Hendrix also broke new ground in using the recording studio as an extension of his musical ideas. He was one of the first to experiment with stereophonic and phasing effects for rock recording.

Hendrix won many of the most prestigious rock music awards in his lifetime, and has been posthumously awarded many more, including being inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. An English Heritage blue plaque was erected in his name on his former residence at Brook Street, London, in September 1997. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 6627 Hollywood Blvd.) was dedicated in 1994. In 2006, his debut US album, Are You Experienced, was inducted into the United States National Recording Registry, and Rolling Stone named Hendrix the top guitarist on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time in 2003. He was also the first person inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame.

Probably the way most will remember Jimi, in pseudo military attire and complete with a Fender Stratocaster.

It's 40 years to the day since my 'all time' hero Jimi Hendrix past away, and all week I have been in a quandary as to whether I should go to his graveside in Seattle, Washington and pay tribute? Greyhound suggested it would be 3 days there and the same back, and the thoughts of getting a flight were logistically prohibitive so here I am in Wichita wondering where those 40 years went. I remember the music press being full of stories about Chas Chandler's (bass player for The Animals) 'find' in New York City of this sensational guitarist who was going to knock the Claptons, Greens and Townsends off their respective perches, but we'd heard it all before. Soon after release of 'Are You Experienced', Jimi accompanied by (Englishmen) Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding bass, I bought a copy more to see what all the fuss had been about - but 'WAP' that was that!

Under the heading of 'The Jimi Hendrix Experience' (Mitchell left, Redding right).

At sea for all of Jimi's years of living fame, there was little chance that I'd get to see him but there was a glimmer of hope at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. Along with 2 shipmates, we cashed in some leave and crossed the Solent for the first day all with the bravado of F*** the Navy we're staying to the end. With an array of bands under our belt, the best of which was probably 'Ten Years After' with Alvin Lee at his shattering best, Sunday morning arrived and we were all 'loosing the bottle'. Her Majesties Submarine 'Alcide' was programmed to leave HMS Dolphin, the submarine base at Gosport, for operations in the Arctic Circle and for 3 of her crew to be 'adrift'?, well the consequences were unthinkable. We went back, and I never did see My Man.

Jimi with white 'Sunburst' Strat.

In 1995 however, Lisa my youngest daughter and I embarked on a journey that would take us the full width of the United States of America (plus parts of Canada & Mexico). On that tour we encountered a couple of young lads (16 and 14 years old) on the bus from Knoxville to Memphis and struck up quite a rapour. Unbeknown to us their parents, who we had also met, had given them the funds to show the Brits a good time in the Music City. The 16 year old picked up a red Mustang from home and the 2 of them proceeded on a tour of Memphis we will never forget. Gracelands (including Elvis' private airport), Sun Studios, Beale Street, Peabody's etc, etc. As we boarded the bus for our next destination, New Orleans, they handed me a scroll of paper saying "we have never met such an ardent supporter of Jimi, please accept this". On opening it was found to be a charcoal 'rubbing' of Jimi Hendrix's grave - I'll spare you the emotion!

Hendrix in one of his 'trademark' pensive moments.

Since those days I have been overwhelmed with gifts and souvenirs of the 'Hendrix' nature including an original 'oil' of the man from my family on my 50th birthday, a 'first issue' copy of The Eternal Fire' (with Curtis Knight) from Capt Bob Anderson one of my former bosses plus a 'first press' of the EP Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) from my friend Andrew Lindsay. On this EP he teamed up with his former US Airborne mate (yes Jimi was a distinguished paratrooper until an accident forced him out of the service) bass player Billy Cox and after a 'first time' perfect recording Jimi suggested a 'Slight Return' to the studio to do it again. That is where I took the name for my house from, but later the song wrongly became Voodoo CHILD but I don't know why.

This is one of the last photographs taken of the man, the day before he died. It holds pride of place along with the grave rubbing in my dining room. 'Hey Joe' also remains my favourite single to this day!

In Many Minds Today 'Jimi' - We Await the Slight Return

With best laid plans of mice and men, I was up the creek again!

Thinking that Springfield, Missouri would be an idea staging post for the next leg of the trip up to Wichata, Kansas, I had decided to stay for a couple of days and survey the wildlife. Unfortunately, and unbeknown the Greyhounds don't run the shortest distance, but only route back to Tulsa and Oklahoma City. However, relying on one of my favourite catchphrases (if that is all that befalls me today then I'll be alright) I decided instead to return to the later and spend a little time there. A beautiful and well kept city, the highlight was undoubtedly finding the Donald Reynolds Art Museum, but more importantly the understated Museum Cafe. This establishment was the furthest thing from a 'cafe' you could imagine with just one example a precis of the wine list offering such stars as '92 Chateau Margaux, '96 Ch Palmer, '99 de Angelus plus a 1998 Opus One at $350, which I once recieved as a birthday present from my beautiful daughters.

My intent was just to go in for a beer, which I did by way of a Newcastle Brown Ale, but taking one look at the menu and spotting grilled Quail the temptation was simply too great.

By now Maître d’ Jesse, of Malasian origin, had joined me at the bar, and as things were quiet there was time to enjoy a long conversation with this most charming lady. Having put the world to rights, I ordered the bird and a bottle of Broquel 'Wood' a delicious Argentinian Malbec. Unfortunately, even 'chef' couldn't tell me which species of Quail I was about to eat, so I decided it must be Gambel's as I have never seen this in the wild, giving me the opportunity to add it to my 'World Bird List' once the dish arrived - TICK!

Bon Appetite - everything about this place was dead right with the service being of a very high standard, decor bright and tasteful with an excellent choice of music none of which was familiar to me. I wasn't about to have dessert but Jesse returned and insisted I choose one with her compliments. Her recommendation of the white and dark chocolate terrine with blackberry sauce sounded good, and as my mate Andy Lindsay always suggests whiskey goes well with chocolate it was only right I complimented it with a Jameson's.

The Free Terrine

By now a booked party of over 50 people had arrived, so with exchange of cards and my sincere thanks for a perfect meal I boarded the bus for Kansas.

Cus' I was Only 24 Minutes In Tulsa

Forgot to mention yesterday about 2 brief stops en-route at Oklahoma City (which looks 'oh so pretty' according to Route 66) and really does in real life. Arrived and spent all of the time under the cover of dark, but nonetheless didn't detract from a superb skyline and a beautifully sculpted city. As for Tulsa, well Gene Pitney's binta (in 24 Hours From Tulsa) must have been some kinda girl for the lad to forsake this beautiful bijou city and 'er indoors. A small version of the afore mentioned but with far more symmetry and far more pleasing on the eye.

Am currently in Springfield (unfortunately not Dusty), Missouri but not a State Tick as I visited St Louis here as part of a 'Blues Tour' I undertook in 2002. There, I particularly remember 'sets' by legendary 'harp' player and band leader

Charlie Musselwhite, born in the rural hill country of Mississippi he was thought to have been of Choctaw Indian decent, but his mum maintains he is a Cherokee. What there is no disputing, he's a s**t hot 'gob iron player!

and the celebrated Walter Trout, ex Bluesbreaker (with Mayall) has also performed with John Lee Hooker, Coco Montoya and on a recent album with luminary Joe Bonamassa. If you can get hold of it (doubtful) buy, without thinking, The Zone and more easily come by Life in the Jungle.

It is disappointing, despite a good deal of research before I left home, that it has been so difficult to find Nature Reserves on this trip. Even the various Tourist Information Offices have been sadly lacking, which from previous visits is not the norm, However, I did spend most of the day in the field today, albeit much in the urban and industrial areas, but did pick up a few things.

A familiar face, this Starling was one of many around the Motel, while this 'nest' came to my notice along with a host of Butterflies, most of which I cannot name.

Monarch.

Black-capped Chickadee before realising I had the wrong camera settings!

and while Northern Cardinals seemed plentiful, like all the other passerines they remained well within the shelter of thick hedges and bushes.

Today i did manage just a little better than my last attempt with

Brown Thrasher

as these shots show.



Believe you me, that is a Chimney Swift one of c3 that zoomed over in quick time.

I guess I'll be on the move again in the morning, shaping up for Wichita, Kansas (so it might be a case of Kansas City, Kansas City here I come) till then a final catch up on the lists. Also today, additions include:- Northern Mockingbird, Purple Finch, Pied-billed Grebe plus Great Blue & Green-backed Herons.

Trip Total - 38 World Lifers - 4 Total States - 9