Click on the following link for a Movie version (WMV) of the Picasa slide show. It is a 75 MB download and will take a few minutes even on a high speed link - but it may be worth the wait!
My brother, Lt. Col. Kenny Duck, is being promoted to Colonel on May 1st, 2009!!
Note from Kenny:
Brenda and I realize most of you will not be able to attend this event, but wanted to let you know we will be thinking of you on this special day for us, and thank you for all your love, friendship, and support over the years! Kenny
Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 April 2009 14:23 )
Bear Whiz Enduro - March 8, 2009
Written by Mark Duck
Thursday, 19 March 2009 11:36
Doug, Don (brothers) and Sam (Doug's son) Mauras and I took part in the Mississippi Hi-Point Enduro Riders 2009 Bear Whiz Enduro in the Desoto National Forest at Rattlesnake Bay. I managed to place "on the podium" (third in my class) for the first time in years!!
Click on image for all classes
Click on slideshow for full size pictures at Picasa.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 April 2009 11:49 )
Forest Hill Motorcyle Ride
Written by Mark Duck
Thursday, 12 February 2009 19:30
Our church, Lakeview Christian Center held a men's retreat at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center weekend of January 31. Doug and Sam Mauras and I went up a couple days early to get a ride in at the nearby Camp Claiborne riding area. Lynn Duck met us there for the morning portion of our ride and we had a good ole time. We covered a 15 mile loop then a 19 mile loop.
Doug was telling me about this VERY steep 25 foot (or so) cement slope that was used during the last Enduro that was held there. I heard (or though I heard) Lynn claim he and his son Nick had went up the slope. So, after Lynn left, Doug took me to see the obstacle. We went around to the base of the slope and it did look intimidating - however, Lynn said he went over it; therefore I had to go over it. I took off (forgetting my rear wheel was wet from the trail) and it started spinning half way up - pucker time.
I nearly lost momentum when the rear wheel gained traction and launched me over the top. Whew!! Close call. I didn't want to be sliding down that concrete hill. Later I was telling Lynn about this in detail and he had no idea what I was talking about. Turns out he had never completed that obstacle. Oh well - now HE has to go over it!!!! There is one picture of this hill in the pics below and it somehow just doesn't show the incredible angle of that slope.
Our friend Noah joins us on an adventure to the Bonnet Carrie Spillway mountain bike trail. The weather was perfect but the trail was a little slick in just a few places. Made for a little more challenge. We met a few other folks on the trail today - turns out they have been helping with creating the trail - cutting, grooming, maintenance, etc.
Click on slideshow to see the fullsize Picasa album of today's ride.
Starting in 2004, we've attended the International ALERT Academy Family Camp near Big Sandy, TX every other year. This year we attended during the week of October 4-11. We enjoyed the many outdoor activities made available as well as the various speakers including the now traditional talks by Dr. Lew Sterrett from the back of a horse while training anther horse.
Click on the picture below to see the photo album.
Another raccoon caught eating Sam's (our cat) food in the garage. Click on photo to see the rest of the pictures and some video.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 August 2008 19:31 )
Bayou LaBranche Canoe Outing
Written by Mark Duck
Saturday, 23 August 2008 17:01
The Ducks and Bergerons teamed up again to conquer another waterway with paddles. We stayed close to home on this one starting at the Lake Pontchartrain end the of the Bonnet Carrie spillway levee. We headed out into the march using the LaBranche canal and then the Cross canal. We traveled about 6 miles and ended up on Airline Hwy about a half mile past the Destrehan shopping center. We paddled the Airline Hwy canal back to the bridge at the Destrehan intersection and took out there. The path is marked in yellow.
In the photo below, the marsh is bordered by I-10 (north), I-310 (east), Airline Hwy (south) and Bonnet Carrie spillway (west).
Last Updated ( Saturday, 23 August 2008 17:16 )
Kenny's NASCAR Experience
Written by Mark Duck
Sunday, 22 June 2008 15:22
My brother, a Lt. Colonel (soon to be Colonel) in the US Air Force and, more importantly :), a NASCAR FAN recently had the opportunity to ride a few laps in a NASCAR race car. Click on the photo below or use the Picasa Photo Album menu at left for some pics.
Note from Kenny - June 20, 2008
Hi,
I finally cashed in my Christmas Gift from Brenda (8 laps in a NASCAR by myself) and a going away gift from my squadron (a ride in a NASCAR at full speed with a professional driver).
It was an experience of a lifetime...first I road in the #24 car at over 190 MPH for 3 laps, then I made 8 laps in the #1 car by myself following a pace car and reached a speed of 155.
Take care and see you soon, Kenny
Last Updated ( Sunday, 22 June 2008 16:55 )
2008 Buffalo Canoe Trip - June 13-21
Written by Mark Duck
Sunday, 22 June 2008 14:09
The Bergeron's, Lukachick's, and Duck's set out for Lakeview, AR, near Bull Shoals Lake for a week of outdoor fun including a two day canoe trip down the Buffalo river (Ponca to Pruit on upper river). Click on the photo below or use the Picasa Photo Album menu on left for some pics. Click HERE for hillbilly humor.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 22 June 2008 16:56 )
2008 Boston Vacation - April 26 - May 10
Written by Mark Duck
Sunday, 11 May 2008 18:43
Here is the route we took to Boston and back. The numbered squares indicate the sequence of stops. See photo album for some of the pictures. We traveled a total of 3700 miles pulling a 25' KZ Frontier camper and stayed mostly in state parks with the occasional private campground and one KOA. The primary destinations were: Answers in Genesis Creation Museum in Cincinnati; Philadelphia Historic District; Boston Historic District; Boston Science Museum; Gettysburg [battlefield]; Shenandoah Vally, Appalachian Mountains .
