This channel page is about "Life" and my passion for it. I have documented some of the things I had accomplished before the age of 25, or until I got married and had to get a real job. I got married, raised my kids, and now enjoy my first grandson Miles. I am a "Master Falconer", falconry, and wildlife are my art... It is the roads I traveled in my youth that laid my foundations as a man. I am a naturalist, and have sought to understand, appreciate, and respect life, both animal and human.
When I was 18 and still in high school, Lion Country Safari came to the Atlanta area, and settled in Henry County, where I call home. I started at LCS literally on my 18th birthday. I immediately found myself drawn toward the elephants because they are such amazing animals with incredible intelligence. At the time African elephants were trained and handled somewhat rarely in captivity. In fact Moja, our first elephant had a terrible seven years of previous zoo captivity. She never had any contact with any other animals including humans, when she came to the LCS at 8 yrs old. Just a week or two before the park opened to the public Moja launched a full blown attack on me. I was rammed in five steps to full speed and knocked into the air. I landed on my feet and started running. I had no where to go and she was much faster. With my life flashing before my eyes, I saw a stick on the ground on about my fifth step running, and knew my only chance was to stop, stand, and face her. She stopped 6 inches from me with her trunk cocked and curled inward and twitching. She was ready to finish what she started. I yelled loudly to back it up. She did nothing, I yelled it again even more assertive and she moved one step back. I knew then that I would survive. An incredible trust was then molded between us. In the video you will see that I continued to use a simple stick as opposed to the traditional elephant "hook". I never had another problem with elephants.
At 21, I went on my big adventure. Most kids at that time were hitchhiking around their own countries. I went hitchhiking the world, and I found my way to the Galapagos. I was fortunate enough to have become one of the "original" 12 licensed guides, and stayed at the Darwin Center during the one month training period. It was during that time when I met Franklin Angermeyer. He was born and raised there in the islands and the son of the "King of Galapagos", Gus Angermeyer who is also the keeper of the "Cave". Gus gave me the philosophy that I live, "Life is what you make it", and the title of this page. After the ship I was to work on sank, Franklin made me the offer to see the islands on his boat. So I became his first guide on his first boat. A beautiful hand built 32 ft cutter rig, full keel, 52 ft mast without any motor or generator. It did have a battery that could power one small light and a car cassette player for the music. Listen to Franklin's words in the video, "it is not all about the turtles and the iguanas". I hope that "My Galapagos Daze" will give you a glimpse at these islands 30 years ago and the magic they contain, the "Enchanted Isles". Some of the pictures are from an enchanted visit to the rim of Sombero Chino. I also assisted in a 3 ½ month field study of green sea turtles at Quinta Playa on Isabella Island.
During the time I toured with Blue Oyster Cult, I was responsible for the largest indoor pyrotechnics show in the world. We changed everything that was being done at the time in pyro, and opened the door to what it has become today.
The 30 Minutes video is so funny to me because it caught a rare moment when a gerb blew up. The fire marshals were tuff and it would have been easier for them not to issue a permit. We were the first to have explosives over the heads of the audience, exploding mirror balls, PA cabinets, flash cannons that shot up into the air (another innovative first), and six flash pots within six feet of the audience equal to three quarters of a stick of dynamite each. In the 30 Minute video I was doing a mild demo using my hands to show the fire was safe. I normally stood over the spray of sparks and bathed in the fire, I'm glad I wasn't doing the bath thing for this demo.
These dramatic demos usually got us the permit for the show, and it was one hell of a great show not to mention the phenomenal music of BOC. We had the art of fire, and set the standards for today. When I was not touring with BOC, I was also the road manager for Celi Bee. We did lots of shows in South America. I thank BOC, and Celi for the incredible ride on their rockets. I have been able to count among my many friends, so many amazing people. Among my friends, are people who have changed the world. What more could I ever ask for in my life?