Charles Samples Photography »

I have a little adventure to tell you about.  Hayden Groendyke and I have been scheduled to travel down to Huatulco, MX to take part in a race, the La Carrera Panamericana (to view the official site for MX), from the southern part of Mexico to Texas.  As time drew near for the race and for us to depart, a sudden change in plans came about and one of the participants was unable to attend the race so I went from being the photographer to Co-Piloto (more on what that is later).

This first blog is of our pre-race stay before we left for the rally race across Mexico.  We were guests in the home of  Guillermo & Rocio Berriochoa (a long time family friends of Hayden’s) at Villa SaBah for three days before the big race began.  They were very gracious and generous hosts.  The accommodations were rough and we had to bear with what we had to deal with, just kidding.  The food was fabulous every day, even the Cricket Tacos (yes, crickets as in bugs).  Of course we had to get a massage the day before the race began, so the tables were set up just above the cliff behind the pool.  Oh the life of a race car driver….

Just down the hill from their home they own a B&B named Villas FaSol which has 15 rooms and is in the same gated community with a private beach and food to die for (see photos below) which I highly recommend for anyone to visit.  The food was prepared there and brought up to the house every day.

Wow, what a way to start a race!!!!

Enjoy!

[caption id="attachment_885" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Mr. Berriochoa-Our most gracious host & sponsor"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_886" align="aligncenter" width="610" caption="Hayden Groendyke (Piloto) and me (Copiloto)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_887" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Sunrise from Villa SaBah"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_888" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="What can I say...."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_889" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Inside looking Out"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_890" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The backyard view-Pacific style"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_891" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The view from the infinity pool"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_892" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Breakfast"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_893" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Soon to be lunch...yummy!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_894" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Cricket Tacos"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_895" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Dinner-bacon wrapped shrimp"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_897" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Dessert"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_898" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The view from the massage table"][/caption]

This summer we planned a road trip to Chicago.  Little C was going to be at Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri so why not just take a road trip this year.  On a side note,  if you’re interested in a fun summer camp for kids this has to be one of the best in the country.

Here are some images (3,000+) of St. Louis & Chicago. I could’ve added more, but here is a quick synopsis of the week.

We went to the Arch, The Field Museum (awesome exhibits), Shedd Aquarium, The Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower-can’t get used to that name) and we went up and saw an awesome view from the Skydeck, & there is The Ledge now on the 103rd floor which will turn your stomach.  We took an evening Architecture Tour (it sounds boring, but it’s really quite interesting-not as technical just about the period growth and the influence of architects on the downtown area) and then to top it all off Navy Pier.  We bought the Go Chicago Card and it seemed to be the most economical way to see all of the main sites in Chicago, it was definitely worth the money.  Then to round  out our trip we had to take in a Cubbies game.  Although, they got beat it was still a great day to be at the ballpark.

We slipped in and got a great meal at the Fonterra Grill (highly recommend it), it is tough to get a table and reservations are hard to get sometimes.   Of course you can’t go to Chicago and not eat the pizza…yummy!  As with all of our trips I will  publish a book for both of them to have.  Enjoy!

Cheers, Charlie

[caption id="attachment_772" align="aligncenter" width="611" caption="The Elevator"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_775" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Caption This..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_792" align="aligncenter" width="609" caption="The Ledge"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_793" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The Hard Rock Hotel"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_801" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="President Lincoln's Home, Springfield, IL"][/caption]

Last year we scheduled  a trip to NYC to primarily go to Yankee Stadium in the summer as this was the last year for The Bombers to play in that great stadium.  The Yankees were playing the Red Sox and this photo was taken from our seats.  The Yankees  won the game in the bottom of the 10th with a full count, two outs and a runner on second.  A young player just  up from the minors hit the ball over second and the winning run came in to win.  The stadium erupted in cheers and Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York New York’ blared from the speakers.  Awesome time!

This year we went to Chicago to see a game at Wrigley Field.  The Cubbies were playing the Cardinals.  We had rain coming in from the west and it looked like the game may not get played.  However, shortly after getting to our seats (which were under the overhang-so we didn’t get wet) the ground crew came out and the cheers ensued.  The game started about 30 min. late. This game was like a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (although, I didn’t sing Danke Shoen from a float ;o) ), an afternoon game and the folks around us were all very friendly.  The guy sitting next to Lorie got us reservations at his Italian family style restaurant (I will post more about our trip in another blog post)…great food!  The Cubbies lost 8-3.  It still was a great time!!!

These are the stadium shots from our seats.

So ‘a one, a two, a three…Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd, buy me  some peanuts and cracker jack, I don’t care if I ever get back….’  Enjoy!

Cheers, Charlie

Here are a couple of images from our trip last year to NYC.  This beacon of hope has stood proud for 113 years.  Remember those that are serving around the world so that we may enjoy our freedoms here.  I personally want to thank the men and  women who serve our country with their  commitment of self sacrifice and dedication to the honor and traditions of this great country.  Tomorrow is not just another holiday, if not for this holiday I believe we wouldn’t have all of the others to celebrate as freely.  May God continue to Bless these United States of America.

My favorite patriotic song besides the ‘The Star Spangled  Banner’ is ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ – “His truth is marching on…Glory,  Glory, Hallelujah!”

Enjoy!

Cheers,  Charlie

We just got back from Las Vegas last week took some photos for fun.  We saw David Cook perform and it was a really great concert!  I really liked  the lighting sequences they used for the concert.  

I also went and did a tour of the Boneyard, it is a fun tour and very informative of early of years of Las Vegas (although the taxi ride round trip cost $60, it was still worth it).  I recommend visiting it, as the proceeds go to a future expansion for the museum and it helps with the renovation of the signs.  Enjoy!