World's Most Traveled Razor

**richmondesi** · 06-12-2009, 02:34 PM

I got a very interesting package today.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Sam Houston Statue (the largest statue of any American standing 65 ft tall

Here's a bit of background on him:
SAM HOUSTON

Sam Houston, one of the most illustrious political figures of Texas, was born on March 2, 1793, the fifth child (and fifth son) of Samuel and Elizabeth (Paxton) Houston, on their plantation in sight of Timber Ridge Church, Rockbridge County, Virginia.

He was of Scots-Irish ancestry and reared as a Presbyterian. He acquired rudimentary education during his boyhood by attending a local school for no more than six months.

When he was thirteen years old, his father died. Some months later, in the spring of 1807, he emigrated with his mother, five brothers, and three sisters to Blount County in Eastern Tennessee, where the family established a farm near Maryville on a tributary of Bakers Creek. Houston went to a nearby academy for a time and reportedly fed his fertile imagination by reading classical literature, especially the Iliad.

In 1859, two years before the start of the war between the states, he was opposed to having Texas secede from the union. In 1861, Texas voted to secede. Sam Houston refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new Confederacy and he was removed as governor.

He retired to Huntsville, Texas. He chose this city because the hills reminded him of his boyhood home near Maryville, Tennessee. He was seventy years old at the time of his death on July 26th, 1863. He died in Huntsville, TX at 6:15 p.m.

Soldier, statesman and rollicking character, Sam Houston walked across history.
# The only man in American History to be elected governor of two states: Tennessee and Texas
# Citizen of four nations: United States, Cherokee, Mexico, Texas
# Life-long friend and champion for the rights of the Cherokee and other Native Americans.

**richmondesi** · 06-12-2009, 03:25 PM

Also, I don't know if this is what Bill had in mind, but this will be the first razor that I shave with in my new house that I just bought.

Is that historic enough?

**Sullybob** · 06-12-2009, 04:41 PM

I think that is pretty historic Paul. Congratulations on the new house.

**Live2Ride** · 06-12-2009, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Sullybob

I think that is pretty historic Paul. Congratulations on the new house.

Yes, first shave in a new house - definitely worth recording with a camera and video. Congratulations on the new house.

Very nice photos, Shawn! Well done!

**Sullybob** · 06-12-2009, 06:30 PM

Thanks guys.

**Anocer** · 06-12-2009, 11:58 PM

Shawn, great pics!

Which would you like to use for the map?

**Sullybob** · 06-13-2009, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Anocer

Shawn, great pics!

Which would you like to use for the map?

I think this one is the best.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39383363@N02/3620177550/

The razor traveled about 50 miles with me.

**Live2Ride** · 06-13-2009, 01:42 PM

The Google Map is coming along very nicely! Great job on the map, Ben!

**Anocer** · 06-13-2009, 01:43 PM

Today marks exactly one month since the WMTR made it's first stop here in Hollywood.

Since then the WMTR has already visited five states, seven faces and traveled over 3,300 miles!

...and it's just getting started!

Here's to you, Bill, for being so awesome and coming up with this great idea.

**Anocer** · 06-13-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Live2Ride

The Google Map is coming along very nicely! Great job on the map, Ben!

Thanks Carl!

I just updated the map with the mileage

Once I get a chance I'm going to custom make icons for the pushpins with numbers to indicate the sequence of travel location.

**BillEllis** · 06-13-2009, 07:01 PM

Here's to you, Bill, for being so awesome and coming up with this great idea.

**richmondesi** · 06-13-2009, 10:12 PM

The giant man got a nice shave today

**crankymoose** · 06-14-2009, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by Live2Ride

The Google Map is coming along very nicely! Great job on the map, Ben!

+1 real

**whitebar** · 06-14-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by richmondesi

The giant man got a nice shave today

Are you referring to Sam or Paul?

**richmondesi** · 06-14-2009, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by whitebar

Are you referring to Sam or Paul?

Sam... you'll see the pics of the 65' tall man and the "shave" that he got

**joel** · 06-14-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by leighton

I can almost guarantee that Bill wouldn't even need to hop on a plane as someone from the thief's home state will step up and do the honors. Or at least inform the authorities etc.

Plus he has our numbers.

I don't see stealing a $500 razor as worth the trouble that would rain down on that person's head. Especially considering the requirements to get on the list, Bill is thorough if nothing else.

If you've ever met Bill - you'd know he'd let someone from their state tune 'em up - AND he'd still hop on a plane for round two, just for good measure.

**brothers** · 06-16-2009, 05:01 AM

I'm next on the list!!!

Yikes!

It's getting hot here in Oklahoma. That's not going to stop us, or even slow us down. My little visitor and I are going to hit the road. Every stop is planned and mapped. [Watch this space!] In all the excitement, I just have to remember to do 2 little things, details really, (1) put my initials on the scales, and (2) Enjoy the SHAVE!!!

Thanks Bill!

**whitebar** · 06-16-2009, 05:35 AM

Hey Gary, I know the feeling. The razor is scheduled to arrive in my hands this evening and I can hardly wait to see it in person. Paul and I are going to meet in a very ancient historic site between our two towns to actually do the exchange. More details coming later. We will of course take pictures to commemorate the historic first face to face passing of the razor.

**Fnord5** · 06-16-2009, 08:57 AM

Bill,
Do you have an updated list ready yet?
I just thought of a great picture opportunity when it gets here.

**richmondesi** · 06-16-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by whitebar

Hey Gary, I know the feeling. The razor is scheduled to arrive in my hands this evening and I can hardly wait to see it in person. Paul and I are going to meet in a very ancient historic site between our two towns to actually do the exchange. More details coming later. We will of course take pictures to commemorate the historic first face to face passing of the razor.

Stephen & I met earlier today, and it was a truly great event. We met first at an ancient Native American Burial ground to pass the torch, so to speak. Then we went down to Mission Tejas which was one of the first settlements in Texas by the Spanish. They set up this mission to minister to the Native Americans. There we smoked a bowl of great tobacco, and we just visited for roughly 2 hours or so. There will be pics aplenty.

My contribution to the razor's travels:
-I took it to The Woodlands (anniversary dinner with my wife

)
-Stoped by Sam Houston's 65 foot statue and gave him a shave

-Took a picture in Crockett with the statue of the legendary blues singer Lightnin' Hopkins
-Took a picture at the park located at the site along the El Camino Real where Davy Crockett camped out on the way to the Alamo (I actually drank from the same stream that he did

)
-Shaved with it for the first time in my new house... without hotwater or air conditioning it wasn't the most comfortable shave, but it was well worth it.
-Made a real friend in the real world because of our common interest in traditional wetshaving.

All in all, It was an amazing experience. I can't thank Bill enough!