The following link is to a story and video about a B-17 restoration that tours the country. You can take a ride in the aircraft for $430. Shoot, if I had the resources right now, I'd be heading on up to Broomfield! And I hate flying, but this looks like a load of fun.

Liberty Belle

Thought I'd start this thread to share with AD and hope others bring up similar things that have wow-factor and might allow people to take a ride or somehow experience the wow-factor for themselves.

This particular one has a serious side to it as well. It's to honor our veterans. The aircraft never saw combat, but to take a ride in it would still give a powerful impression of what our WW II veterans did. But let's not get political on this thread. That's why it's in Casual Confab.

So summer's coming on and we need ideas on Things to Do. Any wow-factor ideas?

One of the most delightful things I have done recently was take a trip through northern Alabama, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee. The most unusual and charming highlight of the trip was going to the small town of Kenton, Tennessee, to see their famous white squirrels.

Link

I wondered if we would see any, but we were lucky enough to see about a dozen, romping and playing in the trees near an old house. They are the cutest thing I have ever seen, like toy animals come to life.

Never heard of white squirrels before, thanks for the tip Victoria!

On the other side of the spectrum is the Alberts Squirrel, a variety I haven't seen anywhere else but in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. Doesn't mean they aren't out there though. Around here they're common.

The ears remind me of mystical forest creatures from storybooks.

My recommendation for "wow factor" is to attend the Drum Corps International Finals to be held for the first time at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Link onto dci.org for more info.

For those unfamiliar with DCI, it is a youth organization comprised of hundreds of local drum & bugle corps. You might say they are professional half-time marching bands. Every year starting in Dec/Jan these local corps begin recruiting the cream of youth brass & percussion players from all over the country and the world. Sometime during the first few months of the year they begin rehearsals over the wknds culminating with the competive season starting in June and ending in Aug at the finals. Actually, the finals consists of an entire week of festivities where each night corps are eliminated until the final 12 compete on Saturday night for the finals.

I had the chance to attend the finals in Denver just 2 or 3 yrs ago. It blew me away. You will never experience a more powerful(as in loud!), cohesive, melodious, human generated production in your life - guaranteed. Well worth the 75$ premium tickets (yes, I am hooked!).

If you have any further questions about it scribble off a PM and I'll talk your ear off! Otherwise, look for me on the 50 yard line cheering on my namesake here on AD - the Santa Clara Vanguard!!!!