Friday, May 2, 2008
Up and Running Again
What's up this summer? A number of trips to our new "ranch" on Ruble Lane in Central Washington. Why there? It has sunshine over 300 days a year. Then off for a week on the coast and in the Redwoods, finishing with a visit to Rome and Umbria in the fall.
Of course any other side trips as well.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
By the numbers ...
This will be my last entry from this adventure. Being a bean counter it only seems appropriate that it would be concluded with some statistics. So here we go ...
- Total sabbatical days - 59
- Nights away from home - 46
- National Park Passport cancellation stamps - 39
- Number of blog posts - 50
- Shower caps collected - 14
- Total miles driven - 8,280
- Total traffic tickets - 0 (yes, zero)
- Number of pictures taken - 2,064
- Number of states visited - 8
- Number of times talked to self - infinite
- Number of times answered myself - about half of those
- March Madness pool correct picks - 45 of 63
- Hospitals visited - 1
- Shit on by birds - 0 (yes, there is a story to this. More than once on vacation I have been the recipient of a special present from pigeons and/or seagulls)
- Margaritas drunk - 26 (est.)
- Lone Star Beers - not enough!
- Number of buttons collected - 36
- Days with more than 3.25 inches of rain - 1
- New friends - too many to count
- New enemies - yes, a few of them too
So that pretty well wraps it up. I want to express a special thank you to John Whitney, S.J. who allowed me this time away. I promised him I would come back and even though tempted, I am once again back at my post. Also, thanks to Pam who picked up all the chores while I was away, not a minor task.
So cheers, I hope you enjoyed some of the journey with me.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Road Trip
Without something to keep your mind occupied besides Anna Nicole Smith on Court TV radio, it could get rather boring.
So I share the results with you, click here! My only ground rule was that I had to have my butt planted in the seat of my car.
Now, you only have one more of these blasted posts to read. See you tomorrow!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Austin, Day 2
Today's post is dedicated to that jugernaut of a political animal among us, Chuck Duffy. I need to share a few images of places that have been influenced by "the decider" Pres. George W. Primarily the Texas State Capital in Austin, proudly hanging a picture of its prior Governator. All who enter these hallowed halls must pause, bow and pay their respects to President George W. who continues his legacy of sound politics and good governance from a new address on Pennsylvania Ave.
The Capital is full of Texas history from the days ruled by the Spanish and Mexico to its independence and finally statehood. Why is this so interesting when we haven't even visited our own capital in Salem?
Having completed our tour, with the obligatory display of reverence to Mr. Bush's picture, we visited the Senate and the House, both of which were in session.
After our brief dose of legislative whoo ha, our closest exposure to an armadillo took place; we caught a "dillo" (free bus ride) back to the hotel for a nap.
Our adventure continued that evening at two stops. First, Guero's Taco Bar. Why is this a highlight? How many restaurants have you visited lately that the police put up traffic cones and directed pedestrian traffic back and forth across the street to and from a restaurant? And, the food was good too.
Our second stop was not quite as successful. Mostly because Bill did not communicate clearly with Pam (ouch!). We were looking for a down home country and western bar for some music and entertainment to finish our Texas journey. And we found it, the Broken Spoke.
Only thing was, when we arrived they were having Texas Two Step lessons. Pam's not a dancer so I assumed we should just head on. Some time later after our departure, Pam disagreed with my assumption and said she would have liked trying a lesson but she thought I would not be interested. Damn! In any case, wandering through the Spoke was an adventure.
Click here for a few final pictures.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Austin, Day 1
OK, Ok, I am stalling waiting for it to get dark. We are headed to the Congress Ave. bridge. Many of you have experienced the swifts arriving and roosting in the chimney of Chapman School. Crowds of people gather to watch the spectacle. Well Austin has a similar experience.
Except it is bats. Hundreds of thousands of bats. In fact, it exceeds 1.5 million bats at the height of the season, July and August. And people flock here to watch them leave each evening. Standing on the bridge, sitting in the bars and parks along the river, and riding tour boats.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Marble Falls to Austin
Nope, looked like the same place, only dryer.
So we point east toward Austin with a brief detour to Pedernales Falls State Park. Five bucks a head to get in, it better be good! Interesting but the river still showed the effects of the earlier flash floods, very high and muddy.
The rest of the journey was uneventful but very green and pretty. We spotted a couple interesting buildings in Johnson City and some odd birds along the roadside.
The End is Near
Well, the end of my break is approaching. But, having re-caught the crud that sent me to the hospital earlier on this adventure, this last week I'm laying low. I considered calling in sick on my sabbatical so I could extend it a week, but then thought better of that. So how many more of these posts do you need to negotiate?
Here is the plan:
1. This one, a catch up of interesting stuff that hasn't fit in other places.
2. Travel from Marble Falls to Austin.
3. Two days in Austin each worthy of its own posting.
4. Sabbatical by the numbers (what else would you expect from a beancounter?).
5. Finally - this is a road trip!
Both Pam and I were amazed the the Texas pride reflected throughout our trip. Everyone flys the Lone Star. Many of the ranch gates reflect it. And there is much more wildlife than I anticipated. A couple new sitings are attached including, yes, vultures!
But, just like any other adventure you might head out on, you must be careful what types of wild animals pop up.
Click here and have a look see!
Friday, April 6, 2007
My friend the prickly pear...
Well I go down the embankment to get the perfect picture with that impressive camera. The ground is mostly small lava chunks and dust. So I squat to get the right angle for the picture, the whole time knowing that the folks I had visited with were watching from above.
Well I slipped in the cinders, went to my knees and slid down the hill a couple feet right into Mr. Prickly Pear. Of course my first look was up the hill to see if they were watching this very professional exercise. And, yes they were so I had to make it look like it was all in the plan. So I stuck there (literally) and continued taking pictures.
Finally they left and I could begin to dis-entangle myself from the cactus. As I backed away, I realized that from neck to knees, I was bringing most of Mr. Prickly Pear's needles with me. I sneak back to the car, get in, close the doors so no one else can witness this and begin to extract what seemed like an infinite number of needles.
Finally after an hour of picking, I was ready to proceed. However, remnants of Mr. Prickly Pear stuck with me for three of four more days as I continued to find more.
So much for the great photographer!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Atkinson Farm
So later that day after a walk and fine dining at the Bluebonnet Cafe we return to what we knew as the old farm. When parked along the highway attempting a picture, a gentleman came out of the shadow of the house and waived us over. So we went to join him, knowing Texas hospitality and all. Of course Pam was not convinced that this was the thing to do. But since I was driving, we did it.
Once through the gate, we introduced ourselves. He asked if I would mind helping him lift a wheel onto an antique piece of farm equipment. I said sure. When we were done I asked him about pictures. Sure, he said, what ever you like.
In the process we learned the story of the house. It was built prior to Texas becoming independent of Mexico, i.e. really really old. They had actually found some of the original issue auto license plates in the house. They were round and made of wood.
Finally, as we were walking long an old rock wall, Bill Atkinson came into the field in his car blowing his horn. Well we were already a bit wary of the situation, this horn business sent us on our way to our car. As we pass Bill in his car and say goodbye, he is quite disappointed that we won't stay to see his cows who come running to the car horn. And yes they did come running. And no we did not see any need to stay longer.
Check out some more pictures of the Atkinson Farm.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
OK, enough April Fools ...
Enjoy the pictures in true living color.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Coopers Bar-B-Que
I hear you asking; what does a vegetarian do at a Bar-B-Que joint? She has learned to skip the meat (which draws plenty of strange looks here in Texas) and order a bunch of side dishes, i.e. cornbread, green beans, corn on the cob, baked beans, salad, cole slaw, etc., etc. There is lots there if you really look. So being a good sport, we pull into Coopers.
The sauce is bubbling.
The meat seems done.
It's time to eat. Oh how I wish I had a camera ready when we walked up to the smoker. Pam was asked "Mame, sausage, chicken, pork, brisket or ribs?" She calmly asked for the pork and he chops off a chunk. Next question "Mame would you like some sauce on that?" Pam graciously says yes please. He stabs her chunk of pork, dips it in the pot of bubbling sauce, and slaps it on the red tray. Yes that is a tray like you get at a super buffet. Same questions and drill for me except I get the brisket. Once dipped, he slaps it on the tray and points us inside.
Once inside, the staff takes our tray and slices our meat choices. Sides you ask? Well beer of course! Oh, you mean food? Well there's potato salad and cole slaw and berry crisp. "On the table are beans and jalapenos" she says. So much for the vegetarian ordering sides.
They weigh our meat, slap down a couple pieces of butcher paper (plates she says), get our crisp, and send us on our way. She was right, there were beans in the picnic table room and jalapenos. Finally our table is set:
So in we dove. I must say, Pam did quite a job on that chunk of pork but admitted that next time she wanted some of my briskett. She was particularly impressed with the loaves of bread scattered around the tables for folks to eat out of. The only real flaw was the lack of Lone Star beer. The only thing to really wash down Texas bar-b-que.
This one we will remember.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Texas Wild Flowers
Off we head to Hill Country. Our route is along the Bluebonnet Trail. Photo previews have shown the fields blanketed with the blue of bluebonnets, red of indian paintbrush, yellow coreopsis, purple verbenas, white prickly poppies, purple Texas mountain laurel, pink phlox, maroon spiderwort, and blue eyed grass. The colors are magnificent!
As we wandered the trail we saw each of these in full bloom blanketing roadsides and fields. They seemed to be blooming as we watched after the prior days rains.
Around every turn was another beautiful splash of color. I took far too many pictures of this. It was difficult to whittle them down to a number that will hold your interest. So if you like beautiful flowers, check them out. If you are not a flower fan, it is worth a visit anyway, just be patient.
Click here for true spring flowers.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Let it rain, let it rain...
First the forecast - 90% chance of thunderstorms.
Then the warning - expect severe thunderstorms.
Followed by - possibility of flash floods.
And finally - flood warning for the Pednales River.
And then, 3.28 inches of rain in less then 24 hours. Whoa baby! Thunder, lightening, rain, rain, rain, and closed roads due to runoff.
First we head to Boerne (pronounced Bernie). Once we got there our rental car which had been sounding like a dying washing machine, started sputtering with dash lights on. So just for exercise, we head back to San Antonio to swap cars. Now back towards Fredericksburg.
By the time we re-arrive at Boene, we are getting hungry. The trusty Fodors book says we much go the the OST diner in Bandera. So off we head.
Well on occasion we have discovered that the yardstick used by Fodors is different than the yardstick we might use. This wasn't a yardstick, it was a mile marker difference.
Our trip to Fredericksburg included a side trip to the LBJ Ranch and the Texas White House. On our way there the rain really started to pour. To stay dry we took a bus tour which became the last tour of the day because it had to go across the river which was about to flash flood. Just keeping things exciting.
Attached are some pictures of our adventure. Click here to see them. Note particularly the spillway on the LBJ Ranch that Johnson used to drive across (not today he wouldn't), also the flood guage on a countryside road (one foot over flood stage), and the picture that shows the total height of the water on the Pednales River before it receded.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Daytrip to Gruene
After a bit of streetwalking, we climb back into the car and head to Gruene (pronounced green). Why Gruene? The music of course, and it's a Harley ride destination.
The main attraction in Gruene is Gruene Hall (pretty original name huh?). An old time dance hall, beer hall, country music hall and general all around honky tonk.
So what you say? Well this is where Janis Joplin developed her music and called her home stage. Who else? Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Ernest Stubbs, etc. etc. If they do country they have been here and there are signed pictures on the walls to prove it. Oh, don't forget, John Travolta for the movie "Michael".
But before the Hall, we had to find some grub. A trip to the old mill was in order. Great spot, all windows that open, overlookng the Guadalupe river.
Gruene is a place to return to! See some more images by clicking here.
Monday, March 26, 2007
San Antonio Missions
Which one is not included? Well the Alamo of course. It is considered a shrine to independence for Texas from Mexico. While the Alamo fight itself did not settle the independence question, it did provide some momentum for subsequent battles.
The missions were run by the Franciscans and the four under the care of the Park Service are active Parishes. As a result, they are not overcrowded, quiet and reflective places.
On the other hand, the Alamo is swarmed by hoards of people with no manners. Lines everywhere, kids running and shouting, so much for the facility being a shrine.
If you click on the map at right (as with any pictures in the blog) it will blow up so you can see the locations of the missions. The first mission visited was Mission San Jose which is the park headquarters. We then headed south to Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Finally, on our way back into San Antonio we visited Mission Concepcion.
Because it is a required stop on any trip to San Antonio, I have thrown in a couple pictures of the Alamo. However, I think this picture most likely will be the reason that Don will "Remember the Alamo".
I have attached a few pictures of each mission. Click here to see them.
OK, OK, here is a real picture of the Alamo:
Sunday, March 25, 2007
San Antonio & the Riverwalk
Some time back when we first began to plan this section of the trip, we couldn't believe the price and availability of hotel rooms in San Antonio. And this was when there was no convention going on in town. Well if you ask the wrong question, you get the wrong answer. No conventions, but the NCAA Quarter Finals are here in town. So if you aren't wearing red (Ohio State), blue (Memphis), maroon (Texas A&M) or orange (Tennessee) you are not "cool".
So I thought, let's play along and get a couple tickets. Ouch, bad idea, cheapest seats in the Alamodome - $155 each. Good seats in the Alamodome you ask? $760 per seat. So we decided to have another margarita on the River Walk.
Actually the River Walk is quite fun. Sort of New Orleans (pre-Katrina) without the loss of ones inhibitions. And believe it or not, right in the middle of it is a rookery for Yellow Crowned Night Herons.
Lots of good food, eaten outdoors. Easily worth a couple evenings.
Weather was crappy for picture taking, gray and threatening rain but very bright so nothing much to show off other than snapshots of the place (click here). I hope you enjoy them.
Tomorrow, the San Antonio Missions.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Homeward Bound
Colorado National Monument
My last national park before a two day drive home. Colorado National Monument is a bit of a sleeper. In the mountains above Grand Junction, this is a playground for mountain bikers, hikers, runners, and all other kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. I was surprised by the amount of use.
An intersting place with roads hung on the sides of canyon walls but mostly a one horse show. If you are not an outdoorsy type, this is a no go.
So have a look at my pictures, then sit back while I catch up and fly away with Pam deep into the heart of Texas.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
North from Durango...
I am driving north on the scenic route out of Durango planning to get to Grand Junction for the evening. Once there I plan to visit Colorado National Monument, and then head to my own adobe so I can fly with my bride to San Antonio. From Grand Junction to Portland will be a couple of fairly long driving days.
Once I looked at the route I was a bit concerned about the road conditions.
As you can see, the pass was fairly high and there was lots of snow remaining. But, the road was clear the whole way so no sweat.
On the way down, there are two great little towns, Silverton and Ouray. Both are mining towns that have turned to the tourist traffic to survive. I managed to drive through Silverton without stopping but when I got to Ouray, all bets were off. A cold beer, outside, in the sun, warm, fresh air, and a bit of lunch on the deck of the Goldbelt Bar & Grill was just too strong an attraction to ignore.
I have posted a few pictures of the route, click here.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
North to Durango
North to Durango ... sing along to North to Alaska, pretty catchy tune isn't it? After spending the morning bouncing around in a Jeep and driving through rivers, I head off again. North of Canyon de Chelly is Navajo Country. I won't make it to Navajo National Monument this time but I will next time for sure. That is where they have all the standing plateaus.
But not to be disappointed, as I head north, that is exactly what I see. Only wetting my apetite for a later visit.
Finally, how could I possibly drive by another pueblo? Of course I can't. So when I approached Aztec Ruins National Monument the car automatically veered to the left. I know you wouldn't believe me if I didn't take a snap or two so the proof is in the puddin. Here you go for one more visit.
A Journey to Canyon de Chelly
I explored the canyon rim and returned for sunset pictures. I was later convinced that I should take a canyon floor tour. You can only enter the canyon with a guide and it is a four wheel drive trip. Much of the route is in the river.
Our fine chariot is at right. Of course this met with some trepidation as I had read about how critical it was to have a sound running vehicle for the trip and I once owned a Jeep. So I started the trip with a no confidence vote.
Our tour guide was a Navajo named Daniel who lived on the canyon rim about an hours drive away. Daniel provided a Navajo perspective to all the canyon sights.
Two others were on the tour, another Bill and his Godson, Raimonds, a student at Arizona State from Latvia. I hope that if they check this they will give me his correct name spelling. Anyway, Bill is quite connected with Xavier U. who had won their NCAA tournament game the night before over Brigham Young. Hence the big smile.
The canyon is quite a place. There are lots of pictures attached because it is so unique. Have a look and enjoy.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Back Country Arizona
Will this be another "bunch of old rocks" visit? And riskier yet, will the adjacent Painted Desert be at all interesting after having visited some of the places I have to date?
Surprise, surprise, both were quite unique and very pretty. The light was pretty good to show them off as well.
After my visit of these two parks, I headed north to the Hubbell Trading Post. This is the oldest continually operating trading post and has been in operation since the 1870's. A special treat was watching Mary Begay weave a Navajo rug as she had been taught by her ancestors.
Pictures of each of these stops can be reached by clicking here. Enjoy!
But you can't forget the local petrified rock tourist trap: