If you remember about three weeks ago I obtained a backpack to be able to always have a good camera with me in the event a photo-op came up. I mused about the way Mister Murphy stated things so correctly. I said that there would be no more opportunities since I am now prepared. Well, it is true. There have been none. I did not get any publishable photos of downtown Galveston due to the fact that whenever I planned to go the weather or something else prevented me from this goal. Maybe next year Galveston.
We left Galveston on Monday. Our first stop is back in Nacogdoches for a week or so then when the weather is right with no nasty big thunder storms on route. And I save up for the gas(whew, Mikey is not liking the way of gas prices with Roz being so thirsty) then on to PA. I also have to find a Veterinarian and some good medicine for my big tough guy, he gets car sick. We are looking forward to reuniting with family and friends and I need to go for a bike ride. There is also a major rebuilding project planned for my office on wheels.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Happy Birthday Punkin (Isabelle)
On March fourth Isabelle Helen Taylor came into this world. A sweeter little girl can not be found. Thanks Jen and Joe for adding joy to this mans life. Happy Birthday Sweetie. I miss you so and wish I could be there on Sunday.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
So Far it is Great
So far the calendar has ticked off four months on the road for us. It seems to have gone by in a flash. So we must be having fun. Yes we are! So far we have met some good friends, made some new friends and seen some beautiful places. And during all of this we missed most of the terrible winter the Northeast has been experiencing. We are chilling right now in warm south Texas while planning our visit back to PA.
So far most of my expectations have been met or exceeded. One expectation that was seriously underestimated is the separation from family and friends. The internet and phone help, but is not the same as being there. I really miss all of you, especially the ones under 8 years old.
So far I have tried to pretty much go wherever the whim takes me, but for the second half of the journey there are plans that have been made. They are, in no particular order:
Getting back to Kill Devil Hills, NC.
Going to the "Redwood Run" in California (a biker event in the Redwood forest).
Going to the "Green River Rendezvous" in Wyoming (a mountain man Indian tribe re-enactment).
Meeting and riding with many of my CycleFish friends.
Riding in God's country, aka all the western states.
So far I, and Riley sometimes, have tasted all the great local cuisine and thoroughly enjoyed most of it, but some tastes from home are missing. For instance, delis. I cannot find a good deli. Cheesesteaks, hoagies, mmm cheesesteaks, Yeungling Lager, homemade pasta salad (Amy), homemade tortellini salad (Jonnie), and others too numerous to mention. You can bet that I will over-indulge when I visit.
One final thing that I really miss (it is so good it deserves its own paragraph) is some of Alien's World Famous Jerky. There is NONE better, or even near as good. I was very fortunate to have a two-gallon zip bag given to me by the Alien before we left. I was able to make that last about two months, but the jonesin' began about a month after it ran out. HINT!!!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Taste of Southern Heaven
On the advice of Tanya, a local grocery store cashier, I tried a local diner called 'Sumptin Difernt' for what she reported to be great chicken fried steak. For those sadly unfamiliar with this southern/western delicacy, chicken fried steak is just as its name implies: steak, battered and pan-fried as you would chicken.
Let me tell you, it was good. Real steak (sometimes they use ground meat – a no-no) fried just right. Add to that white gravy, a side of homemade mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, and Texas toast. Mmmmm, that is real Po People food. Thanks Tanya.
The weather was so beautiful today that Riley and I cruised in Mack, top down and doors off, to downtown Galveston for a photo recon. A plan is loosely in place for the serious artsy photo session. I think Sunday morning just after sunrise will be best. While on this recon I saw some old industrial machinery standing in the middle of a large field. As I walked around it, Riley started his low growl and progressed into barking at the decaying machinery. I mentioned before that is his response to things he does not understand. Good boy Riley. You protected us.
Speaking of my friend and guardian Riley, he is a bit confused and probably wondering why we have not done our daily two-mile jaunts through the park since Friday. Last Thursday I felt really good and decided to increase our walk to three miles. For that bit of enthusiasm I now have a nasty (is there any other kind?) blister on my left foot. Don't worry my pup; we will be back at it soon.
Let me tell you, it was good. Real steak (sometimes they use ground meat – a no-no) fried just right. Add to that white gravy, a side of homemade mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, and Texas toast. Mmmmm, that is real Po People food. Thanks Tanya.
The weather was so beautiful today that Riley and I cruised in Mack, top down and doors off, to downtown Galveston for a photo recon. A plan is loosely in place for the serious artsy photo session. I think Sunday morning just after sunrise will be best. While on this recon I saw some old industrial machinery standing in the middle of a large field. As I walked around it, Riley started his low growl and progressed into barking at the decaying machinery. I mentioned before that is his response to things he does not understand. Good boy Riley. You protected us.
Speaking of my friend and guardian Riley, he is a bit confused and probably wondering why we have not done our daily two-mile jaunts through the park since Friday. Last Thursday I felt really good and decided to increase our walk to three miles. For that bit of enthusiasm I now have a nasty (is there any other kind?) blister on my left foot. Don't worry my pup; we will be back at it soon.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Bonus for Riley
Arr-WOOF! (Dog speak, this time for WOW!) Riley here. I don't know what I did and I really wish I knew so I can do it again. Yesterday, just before dinner time, Mike opened the refrigerator and took out something that smelled real good. It smelled so good, I was doing that Pavlovian thing. And here is the best part: While he was making the dinner he threw a piece of that great-smelling stuff on the floor.
Now I am no slouch when it comes to grabbing uh-ohs and I surely didn't miss this chance. Boy, oh boy, was it ever great. Mike was yelling something but I was not gonna be deterred from this gift. Arrrrooowwwoo (thanks), Mike. Help me figure this out so I can get more of those things. They are much better than that dry crud he puts in my bowl.
Let me explain this to you. (Mike talking now.) When I was grocery shopping I bought myself a treat — a couple of nice sirloin steaks. It is often difficult to get portions small enough for our limited-size refrigerator. Two steaks will work because the second one can be tomorrow’s meal. Cook once, eat twice is what I say. I was opening the package and clumsily dropped one of those steaks right in front of Riley. When I am making dinner he is always close under foot and my boy didn't miss a beat. It was in his mouth and already partly consumed before I could yell, “Hey give that back.” He didn't. He just licked his chops and looked at me with his large brown eyes. He didn't get the other one, or even a piece of it.
While we are speaking of food, I want to mention another breakfast meal I often have — a thick layer of peanut butter and sliced bananas on hearty bread, all assembled into a pleasing sandwich. Wash it down with good, strong coffee. Mmmmmm. Sometimes for a treat add a little bit of honey. It’s a very simple meal with four flavors that go well together.
Many of you already know of the lost and then recovered Story Stick. In an effort to aid in the recovery if I ever do that again, I have attached a dog tag (with my phone number) to the stick. But, believe me, it will not happen again. I am good at closing the gate after the horse has gone. Here is a photo of the new accessory and one of the parks where we walk.
Now I am no slouch when it comes to grabbing uh-ohs and I surely didn't miss this chance. Boy, oh boy, was it ever great. Mike was yelling something but I was not gonna be deterred from this gift. Arrrrooowwwoo (thanks), Mike. Help me figure this out so I can get more of those things. They are much better than that dry crud he puts in my bowl.
Let me explain this to you. (Mike talking now.) When I was grocery shopping I bought myself a treat — a couple of nice sirloin steaks. It is often difficult to get portions small enough for our limited-size refrigerator. Two steaks will work because the second one can be tomorrow’s meal. Cook once, eat twice is what I say. I was opening the package and clumsily dropped one of those steaks right in front of Riley. When I am making dinner he is always close under foot and my boy didn't miss a beat. It was in his mouth and already partly consumed before I could yell, “Hey give that back.” He didn't. He just licked his chops and looked at me with his large brown eyes. He didn't get the other one, or even a piece of it.
While we are speaking of food, I want to mention another breakfast meal I often have — a thick layer of peanut butter and sliced bananas on hearty bread, all assembled into a pleasing sandwich. Wash it down with good, strong coffee. Mmmmmm. Sometimes for a treat add a little bit of honey. It’s a very simple meal with four flavors that go well together.
Many of you already know of the lost and then recovered Story Stick. In an effort to aid in the recovery if I ever do that again, I have attached a dog tag (with my phone number) to the stick. But, believe me, it will not happen again. I am good at closing the gate after the horse has gone. Here is a photo of the new accessory and one of the parks where we walk.
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| Story Stick sportin' a new Dog Tag. |
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| A portion of our daily walk route. |
Monday, February 14, 2011
Another Missed Photograph
I have uttered far too many times in this space that my cell phone camera is inadequate. Well, again today I missed another photo for that correctable reason.
Clouds are among my favorite subjects to photograph and, during today’s walk, Mother Nature presented me with another example of her creativity. Above me was an almost perfect fleur-de-lis of feathery cirrus clouds against a cobalt background — which I failed to capture with the proper equipment.
I now have a good backpack so I can always carry at least one good camera. I never thought I would sink to using a man-purse (ha ha), but I have vowed to use it only for camera equipment. Although now I fear that because I am prepared the photography gremlins will no longer present me with the opportunities. Here’s to never saying “my cell phone camera was inadequate” again.
On another note, today I was fortunate enough to meet the gentleman who recovered the Story Stick. Ward, I say thanks and that offer for some beer stands. There has been an addition the the stick, it is an attached 'dog tag' with my phone number. Photo to follow.
A word about where we walk. Jack Brooks County Park (Galveston County Texas) is a pleasant place to walk with Riley. If I were into disc golf it would be even better. I have seen many people using the expansive course and, as the weather gets warmer, I expect to see the parking lots overflow. The park also includes good mountain bike trails and horse trails, plus ample hiking trails. I will have to find a map and Riley and I can try some trail hiking.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Uhh Oh
I was very upset and mentally chastising myself for my lack of attention to things important to this journey. On our daily walks in the park I have symbolically carried the Story Stick along. On Thursday after loading Riley into Mack I went back inside Roz to get the stick. It was missing from its place of honor and I instantly remembered where I last saw it.
On Tuesday (we didn't walk Wednesday due to rain, cold and serious winds), after completing our walk, I placed it on the roof of Mack while I checked out a tree that was flying a kite (more on that in a bit). When I walked back to get Riley's travel bowl and fill it with water I thought to myself, “That is a bad place to put the stick. I might forget it.” Well I DID! I knew it had fallen off somewhere between here and there.
On the return trip to my place of ineptitude, I scanned our routine path in search of the treasured icon. It was not to be found. I accepted the loss reluctantly and we made our daily journey (a walk in the park, really). Usually we see several park maintenance vehicles during this stroll and I planned to ask if anyone had seen my lost symbol. Today we saw no maintenance people. Damn.
Near the end of our walk, we were right next to the road we drive out of the park. Again I began scanning the area where it could have fallen off the roof. It was not where I thought it could be. Then I noticed something that shouldn't be there a few yards farther down and on the other side of the road. Someone, I assume a park employee, found it and stuck it in the ground. There it stood in its splendor, tall and proud, the good luck feather proudly waving. I was elated. THANK YOU to whoever found it and put it there. You can bet that it will never again be placed on the roof.
Now for the kite. Riley is one dog that looks up. What I mean is, he always spies things overhead. About a couple hundred yards from the end of our walk I noticed he was interested in something in the sky. It was a kite, maybe a couple hundred feet above the parking lot where Mack was waiting for our return. I followed the line, expecting to see someone flying it, and there was no one at the controls.
When we arrived at the parking lot I realized that the kite string, including the stick the string was wound on, was tangled in a tree. This was cool; the first time I saw a tree fly a kite. I tried in vain to record the event photographically but my cell phone camera was not up to the task. The kite did not survive Wednesday’s storm. I wonder where it is now.
On Tuesday (we didn't walk Wednesday due to rain, cold and serious winds), after completing our walk, I placed it on the roof of Mack while I checked out a tree that was flying a kite (more on that in a bit). When I walked back to get Riley's travel bowl and fill it with water I thought to myself, “That is a bad place to put the stick. I might forget it.” Well I DID! I knew it had fallen off somewhere between here and there.
On the return trip to my place of ineptitude, I scanned our routine path in search of the treasured icon. It was not to be found. I accepted the loss reluctantly and we made our daily journey (a walk in the park, really). Usually we see several park maintenance vehicles during this stroll and I planned to ask if anyone had seen my lost symbol. Today we saw no maintenance people. Damn.
Near the end of our walk, we were right next to the road we drive out of the park. Again I began scanning the area where it could have fallen off the roof. It was not where I thought it could be. Then I noticed something that shouldn't be there a few yards farther down and on the other side of the road. Someone, I assume a park employee, found it and stuck it in the ground. There it stood in its splendor, tall and proud, the good luck feather proudly waving. I was elated. THANK YOU to whoever found it and put it there. You can bet that it will never again be placed on the roof.
Now for the kite. Riley is one dog that looks up. What I mean is, he always spies things overhead. About a couple hundred yards from the end of our walk I noticed he was interested in something in the sky. It was a kite, maybe a couple hundred feet above the parking lot where Mack was waiting for our return. I followed the line, expecting to see someone flying it, and there was no one at the controls.
When we arrived at the parking lot I realized that the kite string, including the stick the string was wound on, was tangled in a tree. This was cool; the first time I saw a tree fly a kite. I tried in vain to record the event photographically but my cell phone camera was not up to the task. The kite did not survive Wednesday’s storm. I wonder where it is now.
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