Name that Muscle Car

Last weekend I was visiting my friend Mersin in Columbus Ohio. On our way back from shopping for Mersin's traditional Saturday night over-the-top food fest, we saw a small car show in front of a strip club. In addition to being interested in the *ahem* cars, how could I pass up this awesome piece of Americana? Muscle cars and strippers.

I didn't take any pictures of the girls bending over and spread eagling themselves on the cars, because unfortunately, I do find it kinda cheap and demeaning. Go ahead call me a snob, but it ain't my thing.

There was a decent amount of foot traffic at the show, so I couldn't get any great shots of the entire cars either. At least not without getting a stripper and a handful of gawkers. So, I took the pictures below instead. Perhaps not the greatest pictures, but they make for a fun game.

Name That Muscle Car!

Some of the names will be obvious, but can you guess the year as well? So bring it.

#1 This shot is one of the obvious ones too, but what year?

same car:

last one of the same car:

#2 Not so obvious & double bonus points for the car in the reflection. Bring it:

#3 Harder still, but two chances (and bonus points for the cars in the background / reflection):

same car:

#4 Easy one, but what year and what are the cars in the reflection?

 #5 No chance:

 

So what are the answers? 5 cars plus bonus points.

Return to the Fatherland

In April I went back to Germany for a week of work and a week of...well, I am not sure what to call the second week of my stay. It was a week for seeing old friends that we -Akiko joined me in Frankfurt at the halfway point of my trip- hadn't seen for years. It was a chance to romp in our old stomping grounds. Most importantly it was a week that will have an immeasurable effect on our lives. More about that on another day. Yup, I just did that. For now, here are some pictures of a beautiful little corner of Germany. I really wish I had taken more pictures, but I was too busy enjoying myself to pull out the camera every 5 minutes.

  Here is Ms. Akiko sporting her Harpoon hoody with Burg Schwarzenstein in the background. The yellow arrow is pointing right at it. Someday -when I am filthy stinking rich or just really lucky- I will eat in the restaurants and sleep in the luxury hotel there.

Behind Ms. Akiko in the above picture is the Chardonnay Vineyard from Chat Sauvage.  Below you can see her posing like she owns it.

We kept walking for a little longer until we came to one of my favorite piece of architecture in the Rheingau region. Schloss Vollrads. I wanted to say my favorite, but there are so many places that are stunning for Americans and other new-worlders. Sometimes I wonder is the locals even recognize what treasure they are surrounded by. Some are grand and towering like Vollrads & Johanissberg. Some are small and quirky like Schwarzenstein or the old farm house in the vineyards below Johanissberg -can't remember the name now, though.

Below is the tower in Schloss Vollrads, which is now owned by a bank after the tragic story and end of the previous ownership. In the background you can see the main building which is absolutely unthinkably immense. Slate tiled roof that will blow your mind. Really. Apparently, there is a room that is wall-papered with leather too. It is open to the public, but I always feel guilty about clomping around in muddy hiking boots in such a beautiful looking place.

Not 10 minutes before this picture we watched people scurry for shelter as they were drenched with heavy rains and pelted with hail. We were nice and dry inside the vinothek bothering the staff with silly questions in japanese and american accented german.

Below is a picture of the "small" restaurant on the grounds.This place is also on my "when I am filthy rich, I am gonna..." list.

After our little walk we headed back to where we were staying as guests of Erik and Petra - Schamari Muehle. It's beautiful, isn't it?