Roll Tide

 For those that may not know, I graduated in '92 from the University of Alabama, and I'm a huge fan of the Crimson Tide. My Dad (UA '68) and I are currently in route via car to Pasadena, CA for the Citi BCS National Championship Game. I Saturday from Atlanta, picked him up in Alabama, and we are now in Twentynine Palms, CA. This morning, we drove from Gallup, NM and visited the Petrified Forest National Park. Petrified Forest exceeded my expectations and we both were fascinated by the scenery and the history behind the petrified wood you see all over the park. I did this painting of The Blue Mesa. I was drawn to the interplay of the snow with the desert and rocks. 

Dad makes a great companion for painting. He loves to drive around and doesn't mind reading and walking around while I work. Tomorrow morning we are going to Joshua Tree National Park.

Oh, and curious about the picture of me there? That is me with the 

Heisman Trophy, taken this November. I think my presence with the trophy brought Mark Ingram some luck. You see, Alabama won the 1964 National Championship when my Dad was in school, and the 1992 National Championship when I was in school. My brother is currently a senior at Alabama and we are playing for the 2009 title Thursday. So obviously we have been good karma for the team. I call it "The Thacker Factor". In this picture I'm wearing my replica of the Crimson Tide's 1931 Rose Bowl uniform. I had it made in 2006 and I've worn it to one game each year. And I'm very excited to actually wear it for the second time this season in the Rose Bowl itself.