random thoughts

The Six Grandfathers

| Chris

I rolled into the Black Hills on Memorial Day weekend ready for the usual tourist checklist… photos, elk jerky, and at least one moment of patriotic nod.

Mount Rushmore has a way of surprising you. Beneath the crowds and the gift shops, the place carries a story that’s way older and way deeper than the granite portraits. I’ve paid more attention in its history this time around, more than in my past visits.

Before it was Mount Rushmore, the Lakotas of the Sioux Nation called the peak The Six Grandfathers. I didn’t know that before. It’s a sacred place representing the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, West, then Father Sky above, and Mother Earth below. Standing there, you can still feel that sense of scale and reverence.

The mountain didn’t get its current name until the late 1800s, when a New York lawyer named Charles Rushmore casually asked what the peak was called and someone jokingly replied, “I guess we’ll name it after you.” And somehow, it stuck! Quite anti-climactic, if you ask me.

Then came Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor with a flair for the dramatic and a vision big enough to require dynamite. He and hundreds of workers spent 14 years (1927-1941) blasting and carving the mountain into the iconic faces of America’s Fab Four: George, Tommy, Teddy, and Abe. No one lost their life during the project, which feels like a miracle considering the amount of explosives involved.

Walking the Presidential Trail, I found myself bouncing between admiration for the artistry and curiosity about the complicated history beneath it. The land was promised to the Sioux Nation in the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, then taken back when gold was discovered. That tension still echoes through the Black Hills today.

But even with all that weight, the experience isn’t somber. It’s reflective, yes, but also full of families, laughter, and people from everywhere trying to get the perfect composition.

Great trip, indeed! A perfect blend of history, scenery, and road trip energy. But from now on, I’ll fondly be referring to this place as the Six Grandfathers.

Pit Stop in KC

| Chris

On our way home from Branson, my wife and I carved out a single day to explore a little bit of Kansas City. Why not? It’s on the way. And even in that short window, the city delivered plenty!

Our first stop was Union Station, the kind of building that makes you slow down whether you planned to or not. Soaring ceilings, massive stone arches, and a lobby that feels like it was built to impress travelers from every era.

It’s part museum, part event space and part living piece of history. The building is still one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

The model trains were especially amusing and captivating as they chugged along their intricate tracks, weaving through beautifully crafted landscapes and miniature towns that sparked the imagination.

From there, we hopped onto the RideKC Streetcar, which is free (a rare and beautiful word in travel) and glides through the heart of downtown. It’s an easy way to get a quick sense of the city without dealing with parking or traffic. We rode it up to the City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the Midwest.

I’ve actually been to KC before but it was my first time seeing the Union Station inside and riding the streetcar. Great visit! Until next time!

Ozark Mountain Escapade

| Chris

A quick dash to Branson, MO has its own kind of charm, especially when winding out of Bentonville on that roller‑coaster stretch of Ozark highway. That alone was quite an experience!

With only a single day to spare, we made a beeline for Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve, one of the crown jewels of the Branson area. We drove a golf cart to sight-see.

Perched high above Table Rock Lake, it’s part nature preserve and part museum complex. Everything is polished, scenic, and designed to make you stop and stare. Between the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the sweeping views, and the cave‑filled golf cart trail, it’s basically a highlight reel of the region’s natural beauty and deep history.

Oh, I should mention driving through a cave. They have a cocktail bar inside! I thought that was a hoot!

After soaking in the views, we headed into town for a totally different vibe at Branson Landing. This waterfront shopping and entertainment district sits along Lake Taneycomo and feels like Branson’s modern, lively side. There are restaurants, shops, and a boardwalk that’s perfect for strolling.

Branson may be famous for its shows and family attractions (which we unfortunately didn’t have time for) but even a quick trip delivers plenty of scenery, history, and fun.

Wyoming Traffic

| Chris

Hello? Hello, yes, it’s Chris.

Hey, I’m running a little late, okay? Got caught in traffic. Yes, yes, bison. They’re everywhere! On the road, in the fields, you name it! It’s like someone shook a bag of buffalo chips and dumped them out everywhere. People are half hanging out their windows with phones and cameras like they’re on safari.

And since it was a parking lot anyway, I just got out of the car myself for a quick snapshot of the view. Unreal! I’ll show you when I get there.

traffic caused by herd of bison


Oh man! Cars are lined up in both directions, but no one’s honking because, well, nobody wants to be the person who explains ‘airbag deployment by angry bison’ to their insurance company.

Every few minutes the herd shuffles forward three feet and all of us dutifully move our cars three feet, as if that’s going to make a difference. So funny! At this rate, the bison will evolve into a new species before I hit the next light.

Listen, the big ones are strolling down like they own the flippin’ road! Calves trotting along, totally oblivious that I have somewhere to be. Just a minute ago, I was getting visibly annoyed when one massive dude stopped in front of my hood and stared at me as if saying this is my last day on Earth!

So I reciprocated with an apprehensive smile, muttering behind the windshield… ‘All good, buddy. All good. Take your time.’

Whew! So anyway, if anyone asks why I’m late, just tell them it’s nothing major, just good ol’ Wyoming traffic.

Okay? Later…

Help People, Feed People

| Chris

Somewhere on Mark Chapter Six (Urban Edition) is a cool story. Check it out!

Five thousand needy individuals had unwittingly halted some entitled Christians’ plan to enjoy some well-deserved nap time. After all, they’d put in a hard day’s work that day.

buddy jesus

Great! Perfect timing, they thought.

Not wanting to forgo their hard-earned timeout, they grumbled to Jesus, “Yo buddy, it’s late and we’re hungry! Can you please tell ’em to go away? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?

Hey, we can even tell they’re hungry, too. Look, there’s a Taco Bell on Via Dolorosa & 2nd Ave. They can buy a Cheesy Gordita there, y’know? Cheap eats!

But Jesus turned around and shot back like a stoic Terminator, “Nice try, homies! I say you share your dinner with them instead. Capish?”

They retorted, “Wait, what? Duuude! Sooo unfair, man! Should we spend our own money on this much food and give it all to strangers?” I mean, some of these folks could be, y’know, undeserving bad apples. Maybe even the worst of the worst! ((wink wink))

But Jesus didn’t budge. And they eventually gave in to his demand. After all, he’s the King of Kings!

Now there is a miracle that culminated in the end. But we’ll only experience it ourselves if we as well dare to follow Jesus’ command… Help people. Feed people. Even at our expense. No excuses.

Cowtown Adventure

| Chris

It was the last day of my whirlwind Texas road trip and Fort Worth was the last stop. So the choice was obvious. The Stockyards. Walking through its brick-paved streets felt like stepping back in time. Once the hub of cattle drives and livestock trading in the late 1800s, the Stockyards became the beating heart of the Texas cattle industry. By the early 20th century, it was one of the largest livestock markets in the world, shaping Fort Worth’s identity as “Cowtown.”

Today, the history lingers in every detail: the longhorn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, the old pens turned into shops and restaurants, and the aroma of barbecue drifting through the air. I wandered past saloons and rustic storefronts, imagining the bustle of cowhands and traders who once filled these streets.

Though my visit was brief, the Stockyards offered a vivid snapshot of Texas heritage—equal parts living museum and lively entertainment district. One day was enough to feel the grit, charm, and enduring spirit of Fort Worth.

Dallas in a Day

| Chris

I spent a day in Dallas exploring some of its most historic and thought‑provoking spots. My first stop was the Dallas County Courthouse, a striking red sandstone building known as the “Old Red.” Its castle‑like towers made it feel more like a landmark than just a courthouse, and it set the tone for the day.

From there, I walked over to the JFK Memorial Plaza, a simple yet powerful monument. The stark concrete walls created a quiet space for reflection, honoring President Kennedy’s legacy in a way that felt both solemn and timeless.

Nearby was Dealey Plaza, the site forever tied to history. Standing there, surrounded by the familiar landmarks, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the events that unfolded in 1963. Just steps away, the Grassy Knoll offered another perspective—one of those places you’ve heard about countless times, but seeing it in person makes the story more real.

I did not go inside the Sixth Floor Museum as time didn’t permit. It is housed in the former Texas School Book Depository. It was deeply sobering and emotional even to just view it from the ground.

To balance the heaviness of the day, I headed to the Reunion Tower, one of Dallas’s most recognizable landmarks. From its observation deck, the city stretched out in every direction, a reminder of Dallas’s modern energy alongside its historic past.

I wrapped up the trip by hopping on a tour bus through downtown, a quick but fun way to take in the city’s highlights. Skyscrapers, bustling streets, and pockets of art and culture rolled by, giving me a snapshot of Dallas in motion.

It was a short trip, but each stop added a layer of understanding. Dallas offered not just sights, but stories, reminders of how places can hold memory and meaning long after the moment has passed.

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

Woke up in Waco

| Chris

Driving north from Houston, I thought I’d spend a day and wander around Waco. Why not? I’ve never been before. Well, it turned out to be a perfect little adventure!

First stop was Cottonland Castle, a quirky old stone mansion tucked into a neighborhood. It felt like stumbling across a piece of Europe right in Texas.

From there, I headed to the Dr. Pepper Museum, where the history of the soda came alive in vintage ads, old bottling equipment, and of course, a cold Dr. Pepper at the end.

Next, the Silos at Magnolia. The place was buzzing with energy! Food trucks, shops and families milling around. I grabbed a snack, soaked in the atmosphere, and admired how the place blends rustic charm with modern flair.

Later, I stumbled on to Indian Spring Park, where the Waco Suspension Bridge stretched gracefully across the Brazos River. Nearby, the “Branding the Brazos” Sculpture stood tall, a striking tribute to the cattle drives that shaped Texas history.

By the end of the day, I felt like I’d touched a little bit of everything. History, culture, and local flavor, all wrapped up in one quick little trip.