HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Happy New Year to our loyal readers and those of you that have found our blog for the first time.

The loyal readers will notice a couple more ads from Zazzel as well as from Google. It's been a hard decision, but one necessary if this blog is to continue. The cost has reached the tipping point of either find additional income or shut down an essay in pictures from a freelance photographer. For the last five years, the cost has fallen totally on this photographer with out complaint. But, as mentioned earlier, additional income to cover the cost of operations is now, not an option, but a critical choice.

Cameras must be cleaned professionally, lens and camera bodies need to be upgraded as technology improves. The cost of operating a car has always been just a fact of life. Now, gas and maintenance has become a major expense, even riding the trains as much as possible. The cost of this web site annually and the cloud storage for the images is also rising.

As I have had fun with a little competition between Hotdog, my cat, and me during the holiday period when I would joke and say, " Now go buy something, Hotdog needs the sales", I can now honestly say, "Now go buy something. We both needs the sales!"

Other options will continue to be explored. And, this blog will continue to provide you, our readers, with copy and images. There sometimes my be more copy than images. It will be a  day-to-day adjustment.

Regardless, we cherish our readers and those that drop by accidentally. These are the methods of transportation we have considered during the past year, don't you see?

NASA's lease payment is far to expensive.

This guy was most gracious to let us photograph him at the St. Pat's Parade last year on Greenville Avenue. Little did I know he was the real thing. He doesn't provide commercial transportation, however.

This guy only works at one speed and would cost to much to charter for the day.

This one is retired permanently, now.

Next Stop: Terminal A DFW International

Today, as a strong cold front was passing overhead, but before the temperatures dropped the 40 degrees the weather boys were advertising, I boarded the Red/Orange Line at the Central/LBJ station in North Dallas and headed to the new Belt Line Station that opened December 3rd. This summer saw the orange line open from Bachman Lake to the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Now, another 4 miles of extension is added  and reaches a critical mass area.

On December 03, the North Lake Station Opened at Cottonwood. Golfers would recognize the area as the Four Seasons Resort. And...the Belt Line Station, while Westward sounds rather conservative, the actual surprise,grand trump, what ever adjective one would use, that makes this different for the largest light rail system in the whole of the United States, is  this: it's sitting on airport property at DFW International. That's inside the fence. That's different rules and regulation for building. But, it's the final leg that will end at Terminal A at DFW in December 2014 with the last extension. There are few airports in this nation that have  a direct rail link into a terminal. That means that in 2014, you will be able to deplane,get your luggage, use the airport system to transport you to terminal A from any terminal  and ride to downtown Ft. Worth,Denton,Dallas,Garland,Rowlett, and Plano, or get off in Addison or Carrollton and take a cab to those area hotels. The details will come forth, most likely as the time nears the completion date, but the point being made here is that the connections from DFW International to area cities in the metroplex will be most unique for  transportation connections. That's a big deal.

It took just over an hour each way.

The New Belt Line Station on DFW Property.Overnight parking,
750 car lot.

Belt Line Name Placard

Westward to Terminal A at DFW.Note that the tracks are laid but the overhead power lines need to be placed, but 24 months is not a long time to wait for this transportation  link.