John Force Racing Headquarters

Last year I attended the bJohn Force Holiday Car Show at his Yorba Linda Shop Headquarters. I did the tour of the shop, below are a few shots from that tour.

Rodney L. Ritter 1939 - 2011

I have been putting this off for a week now. I can not put it off any longer. I need to put my feelings down as words on a page to help verbalize how I felt about my Uncle Rod. I have a million stories and memories of my Uncle. First let me say that Rod was my mothers brother and only sibling. From when I was in high school to now I have felt that Rod was more like a older brother than an uncle. I was living in Ceres California during most of those years we always made trips together when he would come up from LA to visit like San Francisco, Sornora, Stockton destination did not matter since we both loved the road trip. He had allot of influence in my life like Western wear, Pick-Up trucks and county music. He was the best man at my first wedding and he attended my wedding with my present wife. He also attended my high school graduation at Ceres High School.I have always looked up to Rod and I would like to think he helped shape the person that I am today. I am thinking back to the last trip we made which was to Oatman Arizona to see the Burros. It was a great trip. We stopped at a local hotel casino on the way up RailRoad Pass Hotel Casino to have breakfast. There was a waitress that was flirting big time with Rod and Everyone who knows my uncle he was flirting right back. Let me take these final sentences to describe Rod he was a real life Sam Malone (Cheers) spending hours to do his hair and had a 1968 California Special Mustang (no Vet) that was his chick magnet. There was his two favorite songs with he thought summed him up first one Mac Davis - Its hard to be humble and second Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville. I am listening to both song as I write this, helping turn my tears to a smile. I have more to say about my Favorite uncle, brother, best man, Father, great grandfather. I know he is now united with his sister and both of his parents. Uncle Rod will live in my heart now and forever. Below are a couple of photos from that trip was well as a video.

Uncle Rodney loving Oatman and the Burros

Uncle Rod wanted his picture with the Route 66 sign.

More Las Vegas history gone

I stopped by the Sahara Hotel Casino during their everything must go sale. Maybe to buy a little history for myself and just wonder the property one last time and take a few pictures. I did stop by the Beatles room on the 23rd floor. I did buy about $12.00 worth of memorabilia.

I was on the 23rd floor of one of the towers at the Sahara and saw this yellow post it note.

The Burro's of Oatman Arizona

These photos are from a trip I made last October to a unique town called Oatman with is in Arizona on historical Route 66. The town is home to many wild Burros that are allowed to rome the streets looking for hand outs like carrots and alfalfa squares that you can purchase at one of the many stores located on the main street. Oatman Arizona is a great little town which feels like stepping back in history. There is a twice daily gun fight between several wild cowboys which is very entertaining. I have made several trips back to Oatman since this first one and plan several more. I recommend visiting Oatman if you are traveling near Laughlin, Nevada since Oatman is less than a hour way.

A wild burro takes a hand out.

A wild burro takes a look in to one of the many stores located on the main street.

The burro's also like to stop traffic and they they to get a snack from a driver passing by.

A burro eating a carrot that was given out by one of the many tourist visting Oatman.

Dale in Vegas

This is a photo from March 5th 2000 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Winston Cup NASCAR race. Dale Earnhardt was taking a break during Saturday practice talking with another racing legend Rusty Wallace. It was a great day at the track that weekend. I had a chance to get Dales autograph but I was a little intimidated by the "Intimidator". If I would have known then Dale would be with us for just a few more years I properly would have taken that opportunity and got his autograph.

Knotts Berry Farm

These photos are from a trip to southern California earlier this year. I had a great time spending two days at the park enjoying all of the rides.

Laughlin River Run 2011

While covering the Laughlin River Run back at the end of April came across several Las Vegas Metro Police motorcycles so I grabbed the photo. Metro Police Department was out in force during the four day event due to the Hells Angels and Mongrel's.

ACEP CEO and Globetrotter SkyJump Las Vegas



American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC. CEO Frank Riolo Makes his 17th jump on his birthday Wednesday afternoon off the Stratosphere Tower 855 feet above the Las Vegas strip.

Harlem Globetrotter "Hangtime" makes his way down to the landing pad.

Hangtime and Frank Riolo celebrate there successful landings.

SWAT at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Metro SWAT team members are leaving the Stratosphere Hotel Wednesday afternoon.