Warm Peaches

The trick to going to summer festivals in Texas is to start really early. This is Parker County (Weatherford) Peach Festival. The gates opened at 9 am and I know we were there fully immersed by 10:30. Lots of folks, lots of crafts and actual peach things. Harvester peaches were being sold at the Weatherford Farmer's Market booth. We walked around the town quickly and the only thing I bought was a souvenir t-shirt.

Now it is noon and over 100 degrees. Hey, we are this far, lets go to Mineral Wells.

Those photos coming next.

Different View

More of the same field shown the other day but comparing cameras. The first two taken with my Olympus which grabs all the light.



This last one taken with my Sony which does better in the sunlight. I have learned to use the "landscape" or the mountain setting for the faraway shots. It does make a difference.

Take all your cameras with you on a special outing. Never know exactly what you will get.

Bluebonnets are far as the eye can see

Between Natalia and Lytle on IH 35 south of San Antonio.

"Walnut Springs" - now known as Seguin Texas

Seguin Texas about 15 miles from the house. This little "park" is next to the Guadalupe County building where I went to pick up my license plate renewal sticker. I have a minute - too rainy to work in the yard - let's just see what this is all about.

I love these scrolls - the arches look like something that would be in France - not Seguin.

"The iron cornices that frame the arbor were salvaged from the Seguin Train Depot."

A generous monument to the history of "Walnut Springs" now known as Seguin.

The short story.... Lipan Apache and Comanche Indians, travelers of the old Spanish Trail, a site of a Texas Ranger station are amongst the happenings on the banks of this spring. "Walnut Springs" almost became known as "Tescumbia" in 1839 from a popular song and dance tune. "Seguin" was chosen in honor of Colonel Juan N. Seguin - a nearby rancher, land owner and gallant soldier of the day.

"A proud past insuring a mighty future." Seguin Bicentennial Commission - July 4, 1976.

I can see some renovations being made to the area. Looks like a "river walk".

Looking toward Nolte Street.

When I got home I did a little investigation and found some information on "Walnut Branch Park Restoration". The present day bridge does not look like the former bridge.

Looking toward Court Street.

I think it will be nice when it is finished. Wonder if it will be the same as this photo?

Back up the trail.

I can not resist a mossy rock.

I am wondering if these red roses are the same as my "Seguin Red" found rose?

Look the same to me.

Interesting detour for the day.

4/17/07 outside Stonewall Texas

My idea of a meadow. Fields full of Texas Bluebonnets. After all the refreshing rains we have received here recently this year promises to be full of beautiful blooms again. If you have a chance schedule a trip to the Texas Hill Country sometime in April and experience these fields yourself. (Bring your camera.)

Gardening Gone Wild Photo Contest this month is on the American Meadow Garden.

Stumpery in Texas

Stumpery - (also called rootery or rootree) begins with tree roots placed upside down in the landscape. The roots being the most dense part of the tree, these specimens will take longer to rot. Originally created in Victorian England as a structure for growing their prized ferns, stumperies have now been replicated in many parts of the world.

Some nice photos of the stumpery in Alaska's Mendenhall Gardens and Glacier Gardens.

These structures may have been the lemonade to a flood situation or of clearing land.

Signs of life

A drive along the Guadalupe River with my sweetie. The world was looking a little brown and lifeless.

Then a glimpse of trout fishermen could be seen.


A couple shots of this guy. I do not know what he is. Curved beak, heavy feathers on his legs. This photo he is looking to the right. He almost looks like he has a buzzard face. We stayed and watched him for several minutes - none of my photos are any better than this.

Then later in our trip, another one flew over. Click on the photo below to see him a little better. Flying fast - so pardon branches and leaves in the photo. I need to get my birding books out. I will let you know what I learn.

UPDATE: It's an Osprey!

Cruizing with my sweetie

Got my driver this weekend. He was ready.

"Which way do we go?"

"Got to get the buffalo as promised. I can't get it by myself."

As I was seeing many things from the passenger side I spied a zebra. (You will have to click on the photo to open up a bigger view. ) Waiting for our score at Along Life's Highway - The Yard Art Game where you can see the rest of the story...

Not a car show

My sweetie was home this weekend to attend a memorial for his mentor. When we entered the parking lot of the hall we saw all these cars. Dreary misty day did not keep the a lot of the members of the car club from paying their respects. Brought a tear to my eye.

More photos from this weekend

On the road, Capital of Texas at 65 mph. Not what you are thinking! I held the camera towards the window, waited for the buildings to clear and then pushed the button. Had no idea it would turn out this well.

Bloom where you are planted. My sweetie has a rosemary on his balcony patio to remember me.

Beautiful fall color just outside his window with this Sweetgum tree.

Took a walk

Working the company booth at the San Antonio Herb Market. This years market was set up next to the Pearl Brewery which is being built as the new trendy area of the newest extension of the Riverwalk. Late in the afternoon we heard music. The herb shoppers were thinning out and it was too early to start packing up so I took a walk.

Set up outside of the Pearl Stables I found this. Nice.

Ohhhh, its the Cattle Baron's Gala (benefiting the American Cancer Association).

Out on the lawn right across from the Pearl Brewery outdoor stage is set up for the band.


Additional stage areas in front of a dance (?) area.

Famous front doors to the Pearl Stables.

Pearl Stables - the home of the proud working draft horses in the late 19th Century.

Yes, other beverages had draft horses! ;D

More photos from the road

Driving around the countryside south of Fort Worth Wednesday morning with my Sweetie.

Whoa, nice longhorn.

Wait..... was that a camel?

It is! There is another one...

And this (at 50 mph) is where their master lives... Nice.

Next, more photos from the trip on Labor Day. We took the "Tour of Historic Buildings" off the City of Arlington's web site. *

I will do you a favor and show you the best of the tour. Save your gas.

Apparently Arlington has long been known as the place to go for entertainment. In 193o's, W. T. Waggoner’s Arlington Downs Racetrack located on E. Division and the gambling casino at Top O’ Hill Terrace on W. Division brought people from throughout the US.

"See the decorative watering trough which is all that remains of Arlington Downs Racetrack. Step back in time and enjoy your tour through Arlington’s history!" *

Sad. This landmark will not make it through the sidewalk renovation in this industrial warehouse district.

"In the early 1920s, Division was known as the Bankhead Highway which was named after "The Father of the Good Roads in the United States," Senator John Hollis Bankhead. Center St. was the old military road and formed the town’s north-south axis. The first traffic light in the city was located (here) at the intersection of Center and Division."

"Thannisch-Vandergriff Bldg, 100 E. Division"
"This building is characteristic of the 1920s Commercial Style. Decorative brickwork patterns adorn both stories, while terra cotta embellishments highlight the second story roofline. Built in 1928 for J.C. Thannisch as an automobile dealership, the first six-cylinder Chevrolet in the area was showcased at the grand opening. T.W. (Hooker) Vandergriff purchased the building circa 1938 and a car dealership remained at this location until 1966."* (This building is one of the best sites of the tour. Has been redone recently with some grant monies.)

Church across the street...
"Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South (First United Meth-odist Church), 313 N. Center"
"In 1878, a group of Methodists met in Schults’ lumberyard at Mesquite and Front Streets and organized the first church in Arlington’s original township. Property was purchased from the T&P Railroad and the first church was built in 1885. The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South, the first brick church, was built in 1907 on the N.E. corner of Center and Division Streets where Vandergriff Chapel, built in 1965, is now located."*

"Arlington Theater (Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue) 224 N. Center"
"The Arlington Theater was built by O’Rourke Construction and managed by Harold Eppes. The theater touted a baby cry room and one of the state’s largest refreshment bars. The opening night feature attraction was "Story of Seabiscuit" on February 10, 1950. This structure is currently owned by Johnnie High and continues to be a popular location for nationally known country western music reviews."*

That was the best of the tour.

Now, the shots of our own tour through the Arlington area... (Photos taken 7/14/09)

Today, Arlington is known for Six Flags over Texas, the home of the Texas Rangers and the newly built stadium for the Dallas Cowboys (affectionally called "Jerry's World).

Workers were scrambling to complete the building in time for World Cup soccer games to be played here on the following Sunday. Great view of the "jumbotron" (my word, not theirs). Main screen is 7 stories tall. Side screens are something like 24' by 50'. (Do not quote me, lots of data quickly being relayed by the tour guide.)

Jerry stands at the top red circle and watches the game. His guests are in the suite at field level and red arrow shows where the the Cowboys enter the field. Everyone has a great view. Not a pole in anyone's view.

In one of the refreshment areas. Nice. (Some people did not notice this was a "football".)

Little black arrow shows where the old stadium in Irving is located. Will be imploded and filmed for broadcast to the public later. Texas Ranger stadium is the building directly in front with the Six Flags coasters just behind.

Our elevator had this lifesize photo of Troy.

In the broadcast booth. Not located at the 50 yard line as those are the expensive seats now. Broadcasters will rely on "spotters" throughout the stadium for their play by play.

This is the view the Cowboys see on their way out to the field. Quite motivational.

I will end today's tours with the view the Cowboys see as they enter the field.

The one thing I did notice about the stadium is the lack of advertising. May be some to come in the future but all has been kept to the actual food service areas.

Nicely done, Jerry.