We are in the process of upgrading Camp Smoke and our overall web experience. Camp Smoke will be back up and running mid-summer. We look forward to gathering around the fire and sharing more stories in short order. In the meantime, please make yourself at home and catch up on some things you may have missed.
28
Mar 10
Man vs. Leopard | Carl Akeley’s Fight For His Life
Carl Akeley is the unquestioned father of modern taxidermy. His contributions to the field are still on display at the American Museum of Natural History’s African Animal wing, now named in Akeley’s honor. The 28 dioramas on display are widely considered the best displays of their kind anywhere in the world. But, Akeley was not your typical museum man. His life was not simply spent studying and recreating the adventures and images captured by others. He was considered a peer of the best explorers of the era, including Theodore Roosevelt and Courteney Selous, who respected his toughness and undeniable courage in the bush. Both of these traits were on full display the day Akeley turned the tables on death in the fight of a lifetime with a wounded leopard. Continue reading →
13
Mar 10
Palio Di Siena | The Most Exciting 90 Seconds In Sports
The Kentucky Derby has long been known as the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. It is a well deserved reputation, but the Derby has nothing on the colorful history of the Palio di Siena. Known simply by the locals as Il Palio, Italy’s most famous horse race is held twice each year on July 2 and August 16 in Siena, Italy. It not only serves as the most important social event in Sienese society, it’s arguably the oldest horse race in the world. Continue reading →
05
Mar 10
DRINK | Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is thought to be the oldest to be the oldest distilled beverage in Europe, getting its start in the 12th Century. In fact, the Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in the world, first gaining a license from King James in 1608. But, in the world of fine beverages it is often overlooked until March rolls around and we all begin to crave the spicy bite of a good Irish whiskey. Continue reading →
24
Feb 10
REFLECTIONS | February 23, 1945: Raising the Flag
Yesterday marked the 65th anniversary of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, the bloodiest battle in United States Marine Corps history. The photograph capturing the moment is arguably the most iconic American photograph ever taken and certainly the most symbolic of World War II. The lasting image of five marines and one Navy corpsman, will forever be etched in the minds of Americans. But, the story of the photograph and the war correspondent named Joe Rosenthal who captured the moment is one you may not be familiar with. Continue reading →
22
Feb 10
PROFILE | Hustling Hinkler’s Relic
During the era in which Charles Lindbergh was eating up headlines for his achievements in aviation, there was a little known Aussie matching his feats. Bert Hinkler was the first man to fly solo from England to Australia and pioneered many advances in aviation. In 1933, he gave his life in the pursuit of flight over the Tuscan Mountains. Ironically, over 50 years later a piece of his legacy was also the only surviving witness to one of aviation’s biggest tragedies, the 1986 Challenger explosion. Continue reading →
17
Feb 10
The Steeplechase
A person who has never been to a steeplechase has not experienced equestrian sports at its finest. No equestrian contest demands as much of a horse and rider. In many areas of United States and England, the local steeplechase is the social event of the season offering beautiful horses, plenty of libations, and an escape to a different time. Continue reading →
16
Feb 10
CONVERSATIONS | Krista Krieger of Africa Foundation
You would have to search high and low to find an American with more passion about the future prosperity of the African continent than Krista Krieger. Krista is a long time friend of F.M. Allen and more importantly, a person with unmatched engagement for Africa and its people. We were fortunate enough to sit down for a conversation to discuss her work with her favorite charity, Africa Foundation, and travel insights for one of the earth’s last true frontiers. Continue reading →
11
Feb 10
CONVERSATIONS | Julian Van Winkle III, President of Van Winkle Bourbons
It’s hard for us to imagine a more perfect bourbon in the world than Old Rip Van Winkle. Our friends at the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery simply know the secret to producing the world’s finest bourbons. Recently we were lucky enough to sit down with the President of company, Julian Van Winkle III, who is the third generation Van Winkle to run the company and carry on his family’s passion for making great bourbon. Continue reading →
09
Feb 10
PROFILE | Red Rum: The King of the Grand National
In the colorful history of England’s Grand National, only one horse has managed to win the most prestigious steeplechase in the world three times. It is a race so challenging that it is not uncommon to have less than 20 percent of the field actually finish the race. To finish the race in three separate years is an accomplishment most trainers would boast about. But, to win the race three times (while adding an additional two second place finishes) is an accomplishment unlikely to be repeated in the modern racing world. Continue reading →