Monday, July 11, 2016

Van Trekker is Back -- sort of


Friends....  I have restored the old blog.  Please be so kind as to set your bookmarks back to the old URL.  You will be beamed to 

VanTrekker.com


In a few seconds.  Take care and thanks for following!


Live long and prosper!

-- Brad, the "Van Trekker"

Friday, July 1, 2016

Star Trek Parade Pics


"Live long and prosper"... and wear some new tie dye!



Hello and welcome to the blog!  It's been almost a week since the Star Trek parade in Riverside, Iowa.  I've been busy with work and fishing... but finally got around to getting these pictures together.  There will be a number of photos with minimal verbiage...   It sure was a fun time hanging out with fellow Trek geeks!





Background...  In the movie "Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home", William Shatner's character, "Captain Kirk" mentioned "I'm from Iowa; I only work in outer space."  The town of Riverside petitioned Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and was given the distinction of being the "future birthplace of James T. Kirk" on March 22, 2228.  There is a discrepancy and some documents say 2233.  I guess we will never know!  But Star Trek lore has contributed a lot to our society - even the naming of a space shuttle - and we "trekkers" (not "trekkies") are a dedicated bunch.


The USS Riverside NCC-1818


Celebrating 50 years of Star Trek


A shuttlecraft replica

The smallest vessel that is equipped with a "warp drive"
and it's own "photon torpedo" launcher.


The sculpture is a "Herky" hawk, the mascot of the University of Iowa.
Notice that this Herky is giving the Vulcan greeting (as we saw "Spock" do
so many times.)  The "V" shaped hand is actually part of an old Jewish blessing ritual.

The pizza slice guy was here representing Casey's Pizza, sold in Casey's convenience stores.
In the movie S.T. IV, Catherine Hicks and William Shatner ordered a "large mushroom, 
pepperoni and extra onions and a Michelob."  Great  choices!

No parade would be complete (in Iowa) without old tractors... We had a bunch!


It was a fun little trip to Riverside.  The love of Star Trek is alive and well.  A new movie, "Star Trek - Beyond", will hit theaters on July 22, 2016.  I'm not sure of the work schedule but my own little white futuristic van vessel -- the "USS Serena", NCC 2708, will be provide camping somewhere nearby a movie theater on that day.

That's it for now.  Thanks a bunch for visiting!  Happy and safe summer travels!  Have a happy Independence Day!  Live long and prosper.  :)

Brad, Jesse James, and Jennifer
Jones County, Iowa