No Activity

Don't take the fact that there have been no recent postings to indicate we have not been doing much : )
I have had a couple projects going involving the Dog (Annie) and the Gazebo - they kind of go hand-in-hand. We also spent Labor Day weekend at San Angelo State Park and that will be a post, hopefully by the end of the weekend (9/26/2011). This weekend I have a few chores to do on the Motorhome so that we will be ready to go the the 40th Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. That is on the books for October 5 through 10. Will try and do some daily posts with pictures while we are there.
So, don't get discouraged. We are still here, just have not taken the time to do any updating.

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX or just Corpus is located on the gulf of Mexico. Though adjacent to the Gulf, it is semi protected by a couple of barrier islands, Mustang and Padre. This is the third time that I have visited Corpus. All three times in relation to a conference. The last time was in November of 2010 when we came in for a conference planning meeting. During that trip we got to explore a lot of the area, including the Port Aransas and Rockport areas. This time the only travel I have done is on foot, and mostly along the seawall.
As a lot of you know, Corpus Christi is home to the "Lady Lex" the aircraft carrier Lexington. This is a fascinating floating museum that I spent several hours in on the November trip.

The seawall in Corpus provides a great promenade along the bay. Two access roads take you into sections of the marina known as T-Heads. There are all manner of privately owned watercraft moored in Corpus, from sail to power.

The seawall was constructed in the late 1930's, early 1940's. It is poured concrete and effectively raised the land level by about 14 feet over previous storm surges. The original design apparently called for a statute of Christ to anchor the center of the 1.75 mile long seawall. Apparently disputes kept that statute from being included, though a church at the start of the seawall has a statute that I would bet was along the lines of what was envisioned.

The seawall starts on the south end at the Holiday Inn and goes north to the City Conference Center. It is deceptive to think that the seawall runs south to north, until you realize that while looking across the Corpus Christi Bay, you are actually looking east.

Walking through the marina area does give you some excellent views of the city skyline.

Corpus is a town that we like to visit. We are planning to come down in February 2012 and spend some time in the Port Aransas area.

The Rains finally Came

Last Thursday (8/11/2011) we received the first measurable rain at our house since October 2010. Thursday night a thunderstorm came through that dropped more than 2.5 inches of rain in about a three hour period. Just for an example, this first picture is of a lake (or what was left of it) that we walk the dog around each evening.

As you can see there is not much water there. This photo was taken on Thursday evening about 45 minutes before the rain. In the 10+ years we have lived in Lubbock, we have never seen the lake this low, so, it deserved a picture. Below is how the lake looked two days after the storm.



A major difference. The water level rising has increased the distance of our walk as the lake has enlarged so much. This is just slightly higher than the "normal" lake level. We hope to see it stay this way for a while, at least until our next rain fall.

The down side of the storm was the damage that it did. One apartment house fire and two family home fires were started by lighting. Our next door neighbors took a lighting strike to their Pecan Tree in the back yard that created a 2 inch wide split almost the entire length. It also took out a control board in their HVAC system, the garage door opener, their cable Internet box, and several digital to analog converters on their Televisions. That tree is less than 60 feet from our back fence. We did lose a video conversion box due to that strike, but that is minor damage compared to everyone else.

Coyote Bluff - a "hole in the wall" Restaurant

I guess I should start this with a few pictures - then you will understand the title.

 This restaurant is located on Grand Street in Amarillo. Not far from Wal-Mart. The gravel parking lot and the building reminds you of a rundown used car lot. The hours are very unique - closed on Sunday and M-S the hours are 11AM-2PM and then they open from 5PM to 10PM. When we arrived there was one couple standing on the porch and another couple just arriving. We discussed going in and the second couple said no, just wait they will come and get you. We thought that was a little odd until we got inside. There was no room to wait. About 10 minutes went by and the door opened an the waitress basically said "next" and the first couple went in. She told us that they had some large groups about ready o leave and then we would be seated. We talked to the couple that had arrived just before use and they asked if we had been there before. When we stated no, they said that we had to try the chili cheese burger and the chili cheese fries, that they were the best.

The menu is mostly hamburgers, but also offered a few salads and steaks. he board in various locations gave you an idea of the fare, but you are also provided with a printed menu.

 

I had a chili cheese burger, probably one of the best I have had. The chiles were flavorful and not real ot, just enough heat to let me know they were there. Deb had a cheeseburger with fries. She said it was a very good cheeseburger and the fries were just about right. Service is great, but do expect to wait, prices are good.  Definitely a place that we will return to the next time we are in Amarillo.

Palo Duro Canyon - Texas 207

After viewing the Charles Goodnight House in Goodnight, TX we went back to Claude, TX and took Texas 207 down into and across Palo Duro Canyon. Most people know of the canyon from the state park end, the west end of the canyon. Texas 207 crosses the canyon probably 20 miles from the state park.

The scenery is spectacular. The colors of the red rock and the green foliage really was a beautiful contrast.

We made this drive on Saturday and you can see the clouds coming in for an evening rain storm. The road crosses the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. By the indications of the bridge, there was a large amount of water in it at one time. On this day, barely a puddle left.

This drive is one that you should put on your to-do list if in the area. We enjoyed it, and think you will also.

Charles Goodnight House - Goodnight, TX July 2, 2011

Charles Goodnight is a Texas legend and a hero to many in the Texas Panhandle. Goodnight and Oliver Loving pioneered the Goodnight-Loving trail that brought cattle from Fort Belknap, TX to Ft. Sumner, NM. Goodnight explored the Palo Duro Canyon and at one point, owned most of it with his partner at the time John Adair. In the late 1800's, Goodnight built and lived in this home in Goodnight, TX, not far from the Palo Duro Canyon.

Now owned by the Armstrong County Historical Society, it is being restored to original condition.

Much more can be read about Charles Goodnight and his invention of the first Chuck Wagon used by cooks to feed hungry cowboys on the trail, one such site is Charles Goodnight - Legends of America and another is The Goodnight Ranch and yet another is Short Goodnight Biography. Goodnight was said to be a man firm in his beliefs. More than one ranch hand faced his wrath for drinking in public  or not being gentlemanly.

Thoughts on Minneapolis - June 20, 2011

Minneapolis is quite a town. Though I did not see a lot of it, I saw several of the high points. Things like the two story Target Store (Minneapolis if Target's Corporate Office), Mall of America and the Mary Tyler Moore Statute. Plus I dined in a few of the various eateries in town. Some chains, some not.
The skylines of Minneapolis were very intriguing.

Dining goes from the standard chain establishments to local favorites. One of these local favorites is called Hell's Kitchen. It has no relationship to the TV show of the same name. This establishment serves things like Sweet Potato Fries, Bison Burgers and Grilled Ham, Cheese and Pear sandwich, which as bad as it may sound was actually very good.



One of the things that did amaze me about the city was the amount of "skywalks" they have. There is a system of pathways that go from building to building and if memory serves, it covers something like 11 miles.

This makes it very convenient to travel through the city, especially in the weather that occurs in the winter time.

The two story Target Store seems like a novelty, however I and my fellow travellers found the isles to be crowded and hard to negotiate.

The Mall of America was also interesting. Though I admit I did ot see much of it. By the time we went here I was coming down with a cold and not feeling well. The first things that strikes you after getting off the train (free) which takes you there from downtown is that it looks like every other Mall you have been to, until you get inside. Then you see the Amusement Park.

Then you see the normal Mall stores, restaraunts and specialty shops. Specialty shops like the Lego Store.

It is a multi-level mall, and if I had been feeling better, I would have taken the time to explore it more.

Of course I guess you can't come to Minneapolis with out seeing thier famous/favorite girl, with a statute on the main plaza in town.