Evel Knievel Dead at 69

I was taken back more than 30 years this afternoon when I read that one of my childhood heroes died today. I was born in March, 1967, and one of Evel Knievel's most defining jumps took place later that year when he flew his motorcycle 151 feet over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas...only to crash and break a few bones. My brothers and I grew up trying to imitate Evel Knievel by jumping our bicycles on our homemade ramps. It's a wonder that we didn't break a few bones, too.

I have no moral lessons to give based on Evel Knievel's life, although I'm sure I could. He was a wild child, you know! I just wanted to pay tribute to one of my childhood heroes.