A year ago, Justin revealed his fear of heights and told us about Kent Couch who has a thing for tying helium balloons to a lawn chair so he can float across the sky. Last year, he made it 193 miles before landing in sagebrush in eastern Oregon.

Couch will be at it again tomorrow. This time he wants to fly from Oregon to Boise, Idaho. That's 300 miles. To do this feat, he's attaching 150 latex party balloons to his new lawn chair. This feat is not easy on lawn chairs, so both times Couch has done this, he's had to start fresh.

One thing that's clear about Couch's endeavor is that he must know what he's doing since he hasn't gotten hurt yet. The three times is a charm adage must work. This time he has sponsorship and no one seems to think he's a nut case like the first time he sat in his chair in 2006 and floated up and away.

Still, I don't think this is something most folks should try. He doesn't even wear a seat belt. I think I'm with Justin on this one. [via AP]

Thanks to Shward for this photo posted on Flickr of Kent Couch in a lawn chair in a parade in Eugene, Oregon. It is true that there are many ways to become a celebrity.

What's the Fourth of July without fireworks, right?

Just in time for your Independence Day celebrations, here's a simple Web site that lists which states have legalized consumer fireworks, and which states still currently ban them.

A good portion of the U.S. actually allows most every kind of consumer fireworks, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Tennessee.

However, those of you living up in the staid Northeast (hey, I'm from the Northeast, so I can say that) have a tougher time of it. New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts ban all consumer fireworks. Vermont and Maine allow only sparklers.

There's a category of states, among them California, Nevada and Florida, that allow only "safe and sane" fireworks, whatever that means, and this distinction varies state to state.

Thinking of stocking up for the big day? See where your state stands. Note that, as the Web site says, the map is only a general guide and does not reflect the fact that often individual communities have their own fireworks laws that might go against state regulations.

Happy Fourth of July everybody!

Discussing how Americans are viewed abroad is a popular travel topic. But what about how Americans are viewed by their fellow compatriots? This map gives us the Californian view regarding the rest of the US. Reminds me of the Absolut Vodka map controversy...

Living in the Northwest, I am going to have to agree with the "coffee" statement. But some might find the map offensive because of the clear stereotypes; then again generalizing does provide for a fair amount of humor.

Know of any other humorous maps like the one above?

I happened to be in San Francisco for this year's Gay Pride weekend. So did an estimated 1,2 million other tourists, including men, women and the currently undecided.

Lots of people came here this year to get married since it is now legal in California. Lots of people came to make political statements: "I am thirteen and I understand equality. Why doesn't McCain?" Others came to criticize Boy Scouts of America for raising kids into homophobic adults. Yet another poster said "Christian + Gay = OK."

It was especially entertaining to watch the unsuspecting tourists stumbling upon the parade on their way fromSan Francisco's main tourist trap, Fisherman's Wharf. Different city completely! Yeah, they sell cheesy T-shirts here, too, but they are more original. I mean, what little kid wouldn't love a T-shirt that says: "I [heart] my mommies."

One of my favorite people was the guy in the picture. Part backpacker, part nudist. I could only aspire to that kind of liberation.

Anyone out there living in the Big Sur area? If so, I am very, very sorry to hear about the devastating wildfires.

I am supposed to drive down from San Francisco to LA tomorrow and I was hoping to take Highway 1. Is that just completely insane? Is highway 1 still closed around Big Sur?

I have been reading a lot about the wildfires, but I can't find updated local information.

Anyone?

I know Grant has been keeping you well-informed about Virgin America's services, but I figured I would share my fresh observations.

I flew Virgin America for the first time yesterday: from New York to San Francisco. What can I say. I was impressed. Brand new plane, pleasant staff, fairly comfy leather (or fake leather) seats...For a second, you almost forget how painful it is to travel by plane these days!

One of the things I have always loved about flying Virgin Atlantic (the international version of the airline) is their in-flight entertainment set up: private screens with lots of movies, music and games to choose from.

I was hoping Virgin America would do the same.

They do, but you have to pay for it. I don't blame them. It's a great idea to target a bunch of people bored to death. We'll pay almost anything to make a few hours go by a little faster. Those in-flight magazines only go so far.

I was curious to find out how much everything costs once you board a Virgin America flight. Here is a short list:

• Headphones are free
• Listening to music and watching music videos is free
• Movies go for $5-7 a piece (there are lots to choose from)
• Most TV shows will set you back 99 cents an episode (again, lots to choose from)

There is no free food on board. That's not entirely bad news. I actually like that concept.

• You can choose from about 7 kinds of meals (sandwiches, wraps, salads) for approximately $8/piece
• Snacks such are about $2/piece
• Basic drinks are free - coffee, water, soda, etc.
• You pay $5 for beer, wine, etc.

You order your food using the TV screen of Red, Virgin's in-flight entertainment system. You can just make your order, swipe your credit card and a few moments later, a flight attendant shows up with your meal.

To summarize, my roundtrip ticket was about $500. (Yes, that's what NYC-SFO flights go for these days) and I also spent an additional $15 in movies and food. I have to say, I like that some airlines are turning to the "pay as you go" model. I love being able to choose my own meal and entertainment and choose when I want to eat, watch movies or sleep. This has got to be the way to do it.

Whoa! Wait a minute. How can that be? Where have I been? I keep thinking I have more freedom of movement about the world than I actually have. Here's one more place I can't go.

I just read that at the Phoenix Country Club women are not allowed in the men's grill room where the serious business deal making and dining occurs. No, the women who want find food to nosh on are pushed off into the women's grill which is smaller and without the buffet, the bar or the lovely view of the golf course. The women's grill has a hotplate.

There's a bit of a fuss going on at the country club since some members want to move on into modern times where a couple can eat eggs together for breakfast, for example. Some of the men are as appalled by living in the days when women weren't allowed in saloons--"respectable" women mind you and are having a time of it for standing up for their wives. This is true. Here's the article that covers the details. The story involves peeing on a pecan tree as well as other juicy grammar school-like tidbits.

But before you go to the article, consider this. Several years ago, and I'm talking many--when I lived in Columbia, South Carolina during middle school, my mom took my brother and me to a roller skating rink. When we found out we had to be members in order to skate, we decided that rink wasn't for us. Why not? Becoming members had to do with religion and skin color. We just happened to be the right religion and and the right skin color, but we didn't like the rules. We thought the rules should change.

Since then, I think, rules have changed. But, I often live in La-La-Land where we all get along, so I can't say if this is 100% so. *Before those of you from the south start sputtering, let me assure you I loved so much about South Carolina. Seventh grade was my Renaissance year and I was sad to move.

But, this story is about men and women and not race and religion--so perhaps, they aren't similar. After all, there are men's clubs and women's clubs--and most people wouldn't argue about that, so what's the difference?

Traveling to Flint, Michigan anytime soon? Better keep those pants up!

Flint's new police chief is planning to crack down on sagging pants that expose too much skin (or boxers.) Chief David Dicks feels that "this immoral `self expression' goes beyond freedom of expression; it rises to the crime of indecent exposure/disorderly persons."

Under the order, anyone with exposed buttocks could be arrested on "a misdemeanor charge of being a disorderly person, punishable by up to a $500 fine and three months in jail."

Hmm, I wonder why they don't fine girls for wearing thong-exposing low-cut jeans?

Two summers ago we spent a few days in Minneapolis visiting friends, a visit several years after my first trip here. Both times it struck me how lovely the city is. Minneapolis is one of those gorgeous urban spots in the world that pays attention to how public and private space work together to create an environment everyone can enjoy.

The architecture in Minneapolis is a large part of its visual scene. Its buildings often end up winning awards for their design. Here are a sampling of what you'll find of particular note. These are new buildings that were commissioned as a tribute to Minneapolis's dedication to the arts: Children's Theatre Company; Guthrie Theater, Central Library, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Walker Art Center and Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum.

All featured on the Meet Minneapolis Web site and are places you might consider putting on your itinerary. Here's a link that leads to the descriptions. The Weisman Art Museum was designed by Frank Gehry thus is my particular favorite.

However, my favorite aspect of visual pleasure was when we spent an evening walking among the sculptures at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden outside the Walker Arts Center. This is an eclectic mix of styles set in among flower beds, a conservatory, an arbor and wide open spaces.

This year marks 20th year since the garden has been open. Jaunted tipped me off to the two artist designed mini-golf courses that have been added to the space as part of the celebration. It costs to play the courses but you can see them for free. The rest of the garden is free as well.

Here's another opportunity for a public art feast, you can also tour the University of Minnesota's campus where there is an extensive public art program. Tours are available from May and October. Here's the link for that info.

If you'd like to see hundreds of never-before-viewed photographs from the civil rights era, then Atlanta's High Museum of Art has two exhibitions on right now that you should check out.

One is called "Road to Freedom," and it features photographs spanning the 12 years between Rosa Park's famous bus ride to the assassination of Martin Luther King, including 1961's Freedom Rides and the Selma march of 1965.

"The exhibition contains some pictures that really are sort of laden with tension, and frankly, with violence, too," the exhibit's curator, Julian Cox, tells the Associated Press. "You see people going about their business in a segregated world. As our visitors move through the exhibition, they move between different emotions when looking at these photographs and will be struck by the power and directness of some of these images."

The other exhibit is called "After 1968" and features other art forms, from paintings to video and light works, which tackle the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Both exhibits feature an emphasis on Atlanta's relationship with the movement. Museum organizers say that the city's role as the birthplace of the era has often gone undervalued.

Ticket prices are $18 for adults and $11 for children.

The exhibits run through October 5.