On the Road Again...



Knowing if I didn't plan a getaway of sorts, my two days off would pass me by as a total waste.  As much as I realize I don't have to plan every minute of my life, I did want to plan something special for at least one of my days off.  Today was the day for that something special.  Getting up a little after 5:15 a.m., I quickly began my day.  By around 7:20 a.m., I was on the road to Cleburne State Park.  This state park is a part of the larger state park system in this great place I call home, The Lone Star State of Texas.  Probably one of the smaller parks I've been too, it definitely wasn't on the short end of sites (sights) and sounds.  Arriving at a little before 8:30 a.m., I quickly paid the daily entrance fee and quickly searched for a place to park the truck.  Seeing some other bicyclists parked at a bathroom/shower area, I parked and quickly got out introducing myself to those around me.  One older rider and I engaged in a question-and-answer concerning what the park had to offer for bicyclist.  Keep in mind, I've never been to this park previously.  Looking at the tires on my bicycle, he suggested keeping to the paved roads.  At first I was sort of offended.  Granted, I don't have true mountain bike tires, but I also didn't think they were that ill-suited for "off-roading".  Whatever ill-will his comment may have made, I quickly got over it and continued to heed his advice about the inquiries I had made.  In the end, I'm glad there wasn't any invincible attitude or heady idealism about exactly how in shape I am.  Riding the paved roads turned out to be challenging enough for yours truly.  After making the full tour of the park on bicycle, I fired up the truck to drive over to the swimming area.  No, I wasn't about to get in that water.  What I had in mind was enjoying a cigar under the shade of the numerous oak trees nearby.  What a pleasure it was as I capped off my time at Cleburne State Park.  Heading back out on the open road, I made my way in to the actual city of Cleburne itself.  While working for TNG, I would regularly service the Kroger's store on West Henderson Street.  Popping by for a quick visit, there would quite a few people who recognized and remembered me.  After chatting for about twenty minutes, I decided it was time to head back to the big city of Fort Worth.  I am well-pleased with how the day turned out.  As a side note, I did find a cemetery in the neighboring "municipality" of Bono.  I would often pass by it as I drove from Granbury to Cleburne, and I finally had the time and deliberate intention of stopping.  Yes, I am a true cemetery junkie, which means I spent a good hour walking around the home of the dead snapping many pictures of grave markers.  Is this weird or what?!


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