Walls A Cathedral Does Not Make, But A Hawk On a Fence A Day Makes.

Excluding today, the past two days has been exploring a section of a new trail that is part of the Compion Trails System. I have been curious about the section because of two things. One, the past eighteen months I have been trying to get some shots of the nose wheel being deployed in flight on any plane coming into Love. It's kind of a trial and error thing, but finally, I have a location. Now, working on the technical side of the camera to refine the picture into a sharp and crisp image. Actually, I have wanted to do this since the 70s when I heard the landing gear being deployed below my feet on a United Flight to Chicago. I wondered then why someone couldn't put a camera on the underside somewhere that could capture a shot. Later, I was told, you don't ever want to do that and gave a reason, true or not. Even though it is done from time to time under controlled conditions I am told later.

The second reason is that 16 years ago, when the President George Bush Turnpike was crossing LBJ 635 it looked like a normal exchange until you got  one section beyond LBJ and the 40-60-foot high roadway just stopped in mid air. It set there for a few years until finally, the last phase of the construction was complete and connected to the bridge that went to know where. I wanted to see if I could see the difference in the concrete age wise or of some indication where the original stop was made. The trail for a couple of miles goes along side and under the bridges. It's a massive expanse of concrete and columns. And while the expanse of these trails go for miles, later, standing at my car I could see my turn-around point to the west and the same point to the east. Yet, I have walked a few miles, myself. 

I must admit. I got so much walking in that my legs were a constant ache at night. When I got to bed, it's lights out and sleep cames quickly. In short. I was  beat. But, my strength level each day is still good  and as long as it is good, neither the doctor nor me have a problem with that. It has been perfect fall weather outside of today, when the gloom and doom of low clouds and misty sprinkles have controlled the day to day.

There were V-bikes everywhere and I could have rented one on the spot but choose to walk for the needed exercise that would be better for me than on a bike at this time.

At one point, I found an old barrier base sitting along a trail roadway  that had a deep recess. Thinking, this would be a great spot to sit down and hydrate, I looked over to my left and there were a dozen Miller Lite cans that had already been spent. It may not be legal to have alcohol in a park but obviously, one or two had set there like me watching the cars at night on 635  and the George Bush Turnpike  solving the problems of the world. The thing about it that is so unusual is that who ever it was that had the quiet party, they were respectful to not litter beer cans all over the trail and for their consideration, I certainly hope that they know how much I appreciate their park stewardship and thank them as a park goer. We need many many more like these Miller Lite fans.

After I got a good look of the massive interchange, it hit me that it was like the columns inside a cathedral from the Narthex to the Chancel. You can almost imagine yourself sitting there looking up at the towering columns, hence the statement walls a cathedral does not make.

Entry coming this way to the parking lot.

The side view of the PGBT

At Baylor Medical Center, Las Colinas, this beautiful Red Should Hawk was just watching the traffic overlooking the valley of  Valley Ranch below.

It's True. You Talk to the Animals and they Talk to You!

Last week in one of my post it was mentioned that the work load had been heavier of late, but that the enjoyment of being busy has always motivated me to do even more. To top that off, this is the time of the year that for me personally is a somber one that begins on June first and last until July 10th. In that period, my work load will drop to near nothing and it will be a time for me to just be a wanderlust. But, it's not June one yet!

Two big events are coming up this weekend. The DFW Dragon Boat Races and Kite Festival kicks off in Las Colinas

The song bird is on a #3 Rebar arch. The bug in his beak is as big as the rebar he sits on.

This is my buddy. He walked with me on the sidewalk. I"d stop and turn around and he would catch up, then we would go another lap.  It was so funny. He listened as I talked to him, tilting his head to the side and looking up at me.

This great blue heron was a high stepper. He had a gate  that never changed as he walked the edge of the canal. This is the second bird of the crane family that I have seen do this in the past few days. The other one was a great egret that walked the edge of a fountain like this guy and actually was fishing. This guy was just out for a walk. He tired me out !

on Lake Carolyn and the last year for the Byron Nelson Golf Classic plays at the Four Seasons Resort at Cottonwood in Las Colinas before moving to the new Trinity Forest Golf Course in South Dallas. The past two years I have watched this course take shape and the #5 pin was in the cup this time last year as a show of progress. But, this year, the Byron will still be at Four Seasons and will be a time for all the old familiar faces that have worked at the Four Seasons the past 35  years to say good-bye with the class that tournament generated year after year after year. With luck, getting shots from the Byron and the Dragon Boat Races should not be to much of a problem with the proximity of both venues almost overlapping each other. Next year, will be a bit more challenging to say the least.

This afternoon, brought me to Farmers Branch for a quick check on a little project that has been wilting on the vine for the past year. But, before it's leaves turn brown and fall completely off the vine, it was an honest attempt to check on it one last time. In fact, the Gardner was working on it when I got there and the darn thing looked pretty well. It just might survive.The roses were not as nice as  they have been in years past and the calla lilies, while pretty, were a bit down this year as well.

But, it was an interesting bit to sit on the bench swing and watch the birds. There was one big beautiful great blue heron,  busy little song bird who actually caught a big bug in flight and a blue jay that wanted to walk with me on the sidewalk.  I do talk to the animals and over the years, I have learned that they will talk to you if you listen and pay attention to there jesters.

Record Setting February

We have had five 80-degree days in February this year (11 for the entire winter). That's an all-time high--pardon the pun! Did I say that tomorrow and Thursday are in the mid 80s? Actually, that is to warm for me. My preference is for that 65-72 range and through the most of spring. Or, at least until June. It is already stacking up to be one of those hot summers, I'm afraid. We normally get 18-100-degree days in a summer but I remember not that many years ago we had some 40 odd days of 100 plus.

It seems to me that not that long ago I posted something about not having a blog that turns out being a weather report! I'll have to check on that, for sure. But, I must admit, that out side of the gloom and doom days of rain and low hanging clouds, I have enjoyed the sunshine. In fact, staying in the house when it is sunny just isn't something I can do anymore. The instant the sun hits the window just right, it's time to head out the door.

Yesterday, was just one of those days that I had sunshine, good subject matter and a good day with the editors submitting  images for publication. I'm rather looking forward to the St. Patrick's Day parade down Greenville Avenue. Up coming will also be the Dragon Boat Races on Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas. Finally, the Las Colinas Entertainment District  is rising out of dirt across from Cottonwood Four Seasons and the anchor, the Irving  (Las Colinas) Convention Center.

There is construction going on under the bell tower at University of Dallas. While there looking at the construction information boards, the news earlier in the week that Irving's mayor will not seek re-election this year; it also came to mind that the talk about what to do with the land where the old Texas Stadium once stood was brought up again. As, I'm driving over some of the new roadway the thought came to mind that with all the flyways criss-crossing, there isn't going to be any land left to develop it seems. The point is--all this construction--all the different political jurisdictions--it's just amazed that things are getting done finally. Then--there was one project that I cannot recall what it was, but what I do remember is that the completion date was 2030 or 2040. Breaking out in a laugh the thought was--2030-2040, most likely, I won't be here!! So, I put the camera in the bag and headed for home.

New Entertainment Center at Las Colinas

From Carpenter Freeway up to O'Connor and Williams Square

This has long been promised to Irving Residents.

This Is Pure Bull and Last Night's Storms Were Very Real.

Somethings in life are straight up bull. That's right. I'm not sticking out my chest here. I'm simply stating fact.

And this isn't just any bull. It's A real live Texas Longhorn that is a five minute drive from the heart of downtown Dallas. He's cat napping in the warm sun that has heated the surrounding air to 68 degrees F. If you look, he's got his eyes closed and I sure would not want to be the one to disturb his cat nap. Know what I mean?

It's a funny thing about gas prices. They are headed to prices we have not seen for a while. It's been obvious that the move upward is now in on the march. This past week the prices have gone from $1.90 to $2.22 per gallon almost over night. The best price in the metroplex generally is always at Fuel City. And the best car wash ever is there as well. And, if you are hungry.....oh my! The food is awesome.

Today, every gas station I passed was a few cents higher---and higher---and higher. I reached a point of no return. Continue on and hope for the best---or bite the bullet and pay the highest price. My gas tank is 14 gallons with a 2 gallon reserve and seldom do I ever wait to see the light come on. So if you do the calculations, a two or three cent price per gallon is not even worth the bother. Say you figure three cents per gallon, and at a quarter of a tank, that's ten gallons at three cents--or a whopping $0.30 should you bite the bullet of the higher price. You see where I'm going with this. Even being a penny-pincher, thirty cents isn't going to break the bank. But, the weighted factor today was the car wash. I really needed a car wash and Fuel City allows you to purchase your car wash right at the pump when you are paying for your gas. You can't beat the price or the convenience. While there, and before going down on the river to see the Trinity's flooding from the overnight storms, I visited the bulls and the donkeys there on the grounds.

As I was in line for the car wash (and the lines move F-A-S-T at Fuel City, The herd was at optimum viewing distance. Normally, they are down range a bit and it's not worth it, but it's like the posting in the National Parks that advise that the buffalo herds are within sight or not. In this case, if the bulls are within sight, that's good.

The storms last night generated officially four confirmed tornadoes that were of  EF-0 to EF-1s in strength. One blew out windows in a high rise office building that sits on LBJ Expressway just south of Carrollton near Midway. The weather service is  still investigating more damage in Collin County (which is Frisco and Plano).

It's  early  for Spring Tornadoes it seems, but in Texas---it's never to early. This little mixing bowl that we live in here blends warm fronts, cold fronts, moisture, dryness into a weather shake that can be totally unreal. It was one year ago this past Christmas that the Rockwall

Trinity overflowing and filling up with more runoff. Looking South from the Sylvan Avenue Bridge toward Las Colinas and Irving.

tornadoes took lives and left people still trying to re-build their homes and their lives. As it is, we get two tornado seasons as it is. One comes in the spring and the other comes in the fall, thanks to our mixing bowl effect. 

Early Voting is Underway

Saturday, one of the first things that I did was to go vote. Early voting makes it so much easier. Also, this election, not only did I have to produce my voter registration card, I also had to show my driver's license. It's difficult for me to understand why that is now required. Oh, I know, the reason why it was explained in the press, but my driver's license picture doesn't look anything like me. I now look worse!

And, of course, I had to deliver a joke to the precinct workers. They have come to expect that from me. The one that I told this time was about the elderly lady who upon leaving church had said to the pastor at the door that she didn't like the second song that they had sung during the service. The pastor with a smile on his face looked the elderly lady squarely in the eyes and with that broad smile still in place said, "That's okay. It's alright not to like that song. We were not singing it for you."

As I came out of the polling place, I pumped my first and said, "Oh! that felt good". The older I get, the more I understand how much a person can accomplish without spending vast amounts of energy that occurs when you are younger. Saving energy can be done mentally as well as physically. Anyway, I briefly talked to a couple in the parking lot that were staked out 100 feet from the polling door as required by law. They had ask if I had gotten any good pictures. When telling them what my project for the day was, one of the ladies responded that she knew about the HAARP project and she and her husband were very interesting in the same thing. That, to me, was amazingly interesting because very few do know about the project. Yesterdays post was about that subject. Then, today, there was an article about the Great Lakes Freezing over with a view of the ice from the International Space Station. While I do remember the Lakes freezing over years ago, what caught my eye of this article was  cryospheric scientist Nathan Kurtz, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, saying to  the Earth Observatory that,"secondary factors like clouds, snow and wind play a role."

For those of you who do not have the time to read the post, or for any other reason, the HAARP Project is about weather manipulation. Clouds, snow and wind are three parts of the equation for HAARP. I found that dreadful but interesting all the same.

Putting another orr in the water, Dallas Delite had two of their rowing boats that they compete with at the annual Dragon Boat Races and Kite Festival in Las Colinas each May. Last year I photographed them doing the same thing that they were doing yesterday and I had also photographed them during the competition last year.  But, what made it most interesting yesterday was that I got a picture of the "seed" paddle that had been given to the team three years ago by the Austin team.  

Then, I stopped by for a little "FREE ADVISE" from Roddy. Next month, he begins the 19th year at the Lake. Roddy said that some 20,000 people had stopped by over the years. An old friend, Policeman Ray was on his bike. He and his partner where riding the 9.3 mile route around the lake on their bikes.

By the time I headed for home, I was tired and hungry. But, I didn't fail to notice the chem trails and contrails in the grid pattern and the haze that was dimming the sunlight before sunset. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Early Voting Is Underway

Part of the Crew of Dallas Delite

The "seed" paddle given to Dallas Delite team three years ago by the Austin Club.

 

John Carpenter's Little Ranch Packed!

John Carpenter had a little ranch that he called Las Colinas. Saturday that former ranch was covered with people from one end to another. The Irving Convention Center was hosting a walk for poverty. I got caught up in  the traffic for that and waited 27-minutes for the marchers to pass.  Then when the last of the marchers had passed and the street was opened up for traffic, it was soon to be discovered that Irving police had blocked off my usual entry into the Lake Carolyn venue for the National Red Bull Flugtag.

 I had spent 40-minutes already in bumper-to-bumper traffic on LBJ 635 as a result of a Monte Carlo facing east bound in the west bound lanes with its front and rear wheels and axels ripped off the car's frame. A young girl in Daisy Duke attire was leaning up against a barrier wall inside a circle of Dallas Police Cars that had encircled at least three lanes of traffic blocking off the accident and its passenger on the barrier wall.

 So, after a couple of trips in circles on the service roads and Las Colinas Blvd., I drove the car into the entry to the Grand Trevino, paid my 5-bucks for the day, grabbed my camera bag and water jug and headed out for about a 10-block walk. There were several photographers at the media tent and a young girl who was clueless was trying to tell us that our cameras would not be allowed inside. After about 30-minutes of discussion, she had worn down everyone but myself and one other photographer. It's funny that this whole image thing has just gone wild with everyone with a camera phone in their pocket or purse, even some of those now have packs that can accommodate changeable lens like a DSLR camera. What's even more amazing is that there is now a phone camera that has 43 pixs. That's more than some DSLR's. It's amazing.After that, I didn't even bother picking up my wrist band until about an hour before I was ready to leave.

People were curb-to-curb, wall-to-wall,elbow-to-elbow. The lines at the food trucks stretched across the roadways that normally are used to walk to and fro. I've never been able to understand why people don't bend the lines at an angle so as not to block the roadways but that would take my friend, Patrick, the anthropologist at U Mass , some research time to figure out. And Patrick, while you are at it, can you tell me why the people in lines then get mad at the people trying to get up and down the street when they have to cut through the lines just to get from point A to B?

At first, I was going to ride the Orange Line out, but then I remembered that the People Movers didn't work on the weekends and I figured what's the use. Walking was a major distance thing at this event. If you were an observer in the "beach" area and had to make a trip to the port-a-potties, good luck.The walk was more than a little jaunt. It's more like the 'red trail" for the experienced hiker. As I am walking back to the Grand T where my car had stayed in cool shade, I discovered that the People Movers were, indeed, working and from the Orange Line station, I could have used the PM to cover that entire distance. I sat in my car in the parking garage in line for 18-minutes just to exit. The Orange Line gets my vote from here on out. Dart was running three full cars on the Orange Line,too! Dressed in Flugtag blue vinal wrap!

All-in-all, it turned out pretty well. Now, I just have to rest up for the re-birth of Big Tex and the opening of the State Fair on Friday! At least I can have a corny dog and a coke while I'm resting inline.

This was one of the small lines

Anyone gives you any trouble tell 'em Sue said it was okay!.Sue with the yellow glasses? No, I'm not Sue.

It Ain't Gonna Fly! No Way!

New Boats at the Mandalay Dock

New pedal boats with red canvas top covers (retractable)are now docked on Lake Carolyn at Las Colinas. You rent by the hour and can pedal into the canals and follow the canals under the bridges and come back out on the lake.Or,you can come back the way you came into the canals. The disturbing thing about all of this is that there is a sign posted that requires you to get a license from Dallas County Water Reclamation for "commercial" photos. Just so happens, there is a little photography business at the beginning of the canals on the west side of Las Colinas Blvd. Hum! Sounds a bit like a money-grabbing scheme if there ever was one.And here is the kicker. It's a permit--not a license fee--good only for the day that you are shooting pictures and the one-time use permit cost a whopping $50.00!

  Paul, the Administration Manager at Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District was still out to lunch at 2:10 PM and not available for additional information.

 I'd like to post a picture of the new boats but I am a senior citizen and I've been warned by the AARP not to fall for schemes such as this against senior citizens. In lieu of the boats, I took a picture of the sign posted by the DURD!

Looking Backward: New Discoveries

An old rail car going to a museum.



One of the carriage horses that pulls the flower laced carriages in downtown for the visitors and even locals that take the ride.



 

It will soon be time for the annual Dragon Boat Races in Las Colinas

 

 

Looking backwards will always turn up new discoveries. That's why photography really is "a moment in time" because sometimes months will pass before you see an image from an old shoot. Once the image falls behind the shutters, it's still that exact moment when you clicked the shutter. But, the excitement isn't lost. It's still just as exciting as if you had just shot the image only hours ago. Indexing images is very important and I don't always index a shoot like I should. So looking backwards will turn
up lost images. Here are a few examples of a three month period of lost indexes.

Never Judge An Event By The Color of the Portapotties!

Here's the scoop: There were only about a hand full of protesters at the Arboretum this morning. By 1 P.M. only one lone man was out in front with his sign.The city begins cutting grass and destroying the wildflowers on Monday after the judge's ruling on Friday.

The porta- potties had arrived for the European and Classic Car Show at Dreyfull Point tomorrow late morning and early to a little after mid afternoon. A group of 12  bright orange porta-potties were at Winfrey Point but I would imagine that there was a big rental of the facility for tonight as several large stage speakers were already on the circle grass. The porta-potties at Dreyfuss Point were blue and grey,hence: you can't judge an event by the color of the porta-potties, but if there's 12 bright orange ones in a row......you are NOT at the European and Classic Car Show --most likely!

The surprise of the day was to find the Dallas Delite Professional Dragon Boaters working out on the lake at the Filter Building docks. Two weeks from tomorrow the 2012 Dragon Boat and Kite Festival will kick off at Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas. I understand that the Delite have already won a medal in Austin this year! Congratulations! and because of the metal......well, here's a view of the Delite crew! Good Luck at the Red River and at Sugarland later on this season.

Follow Up to Jan.13 Exxon Mobile Headquarters, As the Crow Flies.

Since I was in the neighborhood visiting my bank branch, it was not out of the way to get some images and provide some added strength to the previous article. And, with the Carpenter Freeway being the main route, to and fro, it was also a bonus to stop and get some images of the Abbey that sits on a hilltop. The abbey was constructed from thick blocks of Texas Limestone and the rough-cut appearance makes added beauty to the architecture in general. The Cistercian Abbey of Las Colinas is another treasure for Texas diversity, Dallas Metroplex specifically. Here are the images.




Cistercian Abbey in Las Colinas.The order has been around for years.

 Years ago, Exxon Mobile did something for my family that I can never forget. It is something that will always glow a warm spot in my heart. So when I mentioned them in the post of January 13th, it was not in a negative way. But, hidden behind hack berry and mesquite trees, the Exxon Mobile compound does position itself in a clandestine-kind of operation. Anyone with any corporate experience from inside looking out knows that a certain degree of clandestine operating is totally necessary.And.....the bigger you are......the more you need.

Looking North across the John Carpenter Freeway for which Las Colinas was named, lies the world headquarters for Exxon Mobile Corporation.



Surrounded by acres of hack berry and mesquite trees, the compound is fenced and monitored.



Stairway to Heaven?

The new Orange Line's Urban Station in Las Colinas comes closer to completion. This is the stairs from the platform up to the second level where the old Las Colinas Monorail system can be accessed.Beyond this station is the Irving Convention Center. It will be be termination point until the Beltline/DFW segment is completed in a couple of years.