Gates of Graceland

Standing at the gates of Graceland! Not really, it a backdrop you get your picture taken in front of before getting on the bus to go through the actual gates.

The Peabody Ducks

We all got to see the famous Peabody Ducks this past weekend. If you're not familiar with the story of the ducks, I've posted a little history below.

Legend of The Peabody Ducks
How did the tradition of the ducks in The Peabody fountain begin?

Back in 1933 Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Jack Daniel's Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Soon, five North American Mallard ducks would replace the original ducks.

In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Mr. Pembroke became the Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capacity for 50 years until his retirement in 1991. Today, The Peabody Ducks are led by Duckmaster Jason Sensat.

The original ducks have long since gone, but after 75 years, the marble fountain in the hotel lobby is still graced with ducks. The Peabody ducks march at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

Rock Climbing

Devon rock climbing in the park.  He was able to climb all the way by himself.  Man are we in trouble!

Airport Disaster Drill

This past weekend I helped with a disaster drill at the B'ham Airport. It was pretty cool. Got to play a crash victim and was made up with fake blood and make-up. They bused us out to a runway where the crash was simulated with an over turned SUV and a frame in the shape of an airplane (which they set a fire).