Nine Years with Nikon – Great Memories

I got home early this morning from the Breeder’s Cup, tired but glad to be home, I went up stairs to my office to put away my gear and threw my latest hat on the pile, standing there looking at the display of my hats, I thought they each tell a story.  Before I start, it’s Sunday morning and this is my devotional for the morning.  If a Genie had popped out of  a lamp when I was young and offered me any three wishes I wanted I would have asked for exactly what I’ve gotten!   More about that at the end!  Every place I’ve traveled I’ve bought a baseball cap as a reminder of that great experience, funny thing is I look awful in a baseball hat!!!  But, I love to look at my hats of which I have many more than what is displayed above.  Allow me to share with you a short description of the ones shown here.

Top row,  left to right, America From 500 Feet, my first aviation book done with my son Wesley, one of the greatest experiences of my life, especially the 14 months of traveling with Wes and growing from father and son, into close friends!  I never look at that hat that I don’t thank God for that time together and all those wonderful flights!  Air Creation my one of my first and still favorite ultra lights, and the one Wes and I flew for the first book.   The team hat for the second book, America From 500 Feet II.   My new 2011 Breeder’s Cup hat, last one to go on the pile!

Row two,  The Blue Angles, bought at their headquarters in Pensacola!    Carolina Nature Photographers Association an organization I’m proud to belong to.  The hat I bought after flying over the Corvette Factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  A favorite burger place in the midwest, decent burger, great hat and nice people that run it.

Row three, CSI Las Vegas, gift form a friend that actually calls on them for Nikon!  OOOPs Cozy inn makes a second appearance!   My Dive Shop hat from Plantation Florida where I flew over the Crystal River to photograph the Manatees.   The original Gore Tex GAPW hat! (Great American Photography Weekend)

Row Four, Arlington Air Show Commemorative Wright Brothers hat, one of my favorite hats to fly in!  The hat my late, dear friend, Phil Fox had made to witness during his last months as he bravely battled cancer, when he gave one away people said is this your hat?  He said no, it’s not my hat or your hat, but His hat and one size fits all!  Masters Golf Tournament (I’ve worked 8), NASA, I’ve been privileged to photograph five shuttle launches.

Row Five, Midnight Miss III, the name of the T-6 Texan I got to take a ride in!  Life is Good, are you kidding look at these hats!!!!  Nikon’s basic black hat, what a great job this has been!   Jeep Camp, bought when my dear friend Rob Shepperd invited me to speak at this event.

Row Six, National Geographic Expeditions, gift from a friend and long time National Geographic photographer.  Only You, Smokey the Bear’s reminder to us all.  Reno Air Races Media Team hat, a treasured gift from a great friend at RENO, from this years race that ended tragically.  How great is it to represent a product that has it’s own fan club!!??

Row Seven, Ultra Flight magazine, now Sport Flight Magazine for whom I write a monthly column about ultra light flying.  Gift from some friends at the SPEED network I got to know at man NASCAR races, Predator, the name of my first Powered Parachute always reminds me of a great ultra light friend Scott Hughes.   State Department, Office of Security hat from a good friend in Washington.

Row Eight, FA-22 Raptor, a gift from the photo team at Lockheed Martin, makers of the F22 jet fighter.    Getty Images, one of the most successful picture agencies and the home of some of my favorite clients.  One of my favorite little restaurants near Zion National Park that serves great home made pies, before you draw the wrong conclusion, the people that made the sign outside the restaurant told the owners Home-Made would not fit so that thought they would be cute and use Ho Made, it has led to lots of wrong conclusions.  The hat was a gift from my boss Scott Diussa.  A favorite Disney World hat I bought while taking my grandchildren to the Animal Kingdom.

I don’t need a Genie to get “wishes” !   My heavenly father has given me the only three things I need or want;  (1) His love and forgiveness,  (2) the love of wonderful wife and family, and  (3) something fun and important,  to spend my life doing, and look forward too!

the pilgrim

P.S. I’m still with Nikon!!!  Got several emails asking when I left!!!  Just was being thankful, the parade goes on……

My favorite hat?  How about this one………..