National Parks Week


April 15th to April 23rd is National Parks Week, and I couldn't be more excited about the commemoration.  As an avid camper, even though I haven't been in a while, I absolutely love the outdoors.  Almighty God created this vast Earth for our stewardship and care, and it is the responsibility of humanity to pass this treasure on to the next generation.  Thankfully I have been to quite a few State Parks and National Forests over the years.  A few of my favorites include: Mission Tejas (East Texas), Lake Mineral Wells (D/FW), Blue Water Canyon (Grants, New Mexico), and Bryce Canyon (Utah).  Naturally there are those I like more than others, but every state park is a gold mine of experience waiting to happen.  Whether you are a novice or seasoned traveller, I highly recommend subscribing to two periodicals: Texas Highways and Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Both will provide greater insight in to what Texas has in store for your enjoyment.  In addition to National Parks Week, today is Bicycle Day.  Recent events have re-acquainted me with the bicycle locked up on the front porch.  (The truck was at the mechanic for a week and a half.)  Yes, there was a re-kindling of the freedom that comes from roaming the outdoors on two wheels.  Someday I hope to get a road bicycle so I can leave my mountain bicycle for the trails of the campground.  So far that is still an unrealized dream.  Bicycling is a great form of exercise and fellowship, providing an awesome cohesiveness for family and friends.  For extra fun, marry the two activities by taking your bicycle to the campground.  The thrill is unparalleled.  Enjoy these two holidays by participating in or the other, or possibly both at the same time.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Party on the Porch (Amon Carter Museum)

On Saturday, September 30th, I attended the annual Party on the Porch sponsored and hosted by the Amon Carter Museum.  I attended this function about twelve years ago with a friend and his family.  For whatever reason, the festivities fell off my radar till I saw a banner for it a few weeks prior.  Deciding it would be good for me to get out, even if it was alone, I requested a ticket and downloaded it to my phone.  The best part of the shin-dig was it's free of charge!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Both Party on the Porch and the Museum itself are funded by a perpetual trust established upon the death of Amon Carter himself.  (Take that, you other museums who charge an entrance fee!  Because of the lack of admission, I am able to frequent the art gallery as often as I can.)  Free parking for the event was available across the street at the surface lots of the Health Science Center.  (Another plus to showing up for the event.)  There were several people managing the entryway.  On
Read more

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her grave, along with the graves of her m
Read more

Reprieve from the War Front

** This is another letter from my father in Korea during the war of 1950-1953.  My intention in posting these letters is to capture the very personal side of war.  The letter is typed as written.  Any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and etc. are intentional. 17-Oct-53 Dear Mom & Dad           I have just returned from a splendid seven days leave in Japan.  My seven days were filled with just about everything a person could want in a leave.  Steak, lobster, french fried potatoes, and onions, and many other fried foods.  The special service hotel at which I stayed is the most beautiful in Tokyo, Ga-Jo-En KANKO Hotel.  It is composed of three buildings connected by hallways, five stories high.  It has many facilities such as Grill, Bar, Cocktail Lounge, PX, Game Room, Barber Shop, Dining Room, Wrapping Service, and Dining Room, where meals are very cheap: 15 cent breakfast, 25 cent lunch, 45 cent supper.  The elevators of the Hotel are lined with mother-of-pearl formed into wa
Read more