Texas Serpent

Texas has a serpent! Found this 35' beauty in a city named "The Woodlands."

I have to say that I don't really like city names that start with the word "The".  :)

Anyway, it was a fun little find while in the Houston area recently!

Texas Fence

Beautiful, sunny, windy Texas day yesterday.

Texas Postcards

 New finds headed to the collection!

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

Giant Justins

Another great, fun find in San Antonio, Texas! This cowboy boot sculpture is 40 feet in height (12 meters), and is a replica of ostrich skin Justin boots.

It was created by (would you believe it?!) Junk Yard Dog artist, Bob "Daddy-O" Wade in 1979.

It's located at North Star Mall, and is billed as "world's largest pair of cowboy boots".  Nothing says Texas better than a big ol' pair of cowboy boots, right??

Junk Art - Junk Yard Dog

Another "what is that?" moment. Oh, cool! It's a 1966 Plymouth Fury-turned-junk art!

Ha ha! I love this stuff!

The sign says "Welcome. The home of Bob Wade's Junk Yard Dog".

Even if this funky cigar-smokin' junk yard dog art piece on display at a San Antonio salvage yard doesn't impress you, Bob "Daddy-O" Wade's credentials will.

Thank you, Bob Wade, for creating this crazy lookin', googly-eyed pooch!

Texas Longhorn Hood Ornament

Technically, I guess it's a grill ornament. Where else but in Texas, right? :)

San Antonio Segways

Spotted these Segway riders in San Antonio, Texas. It looks like such a fun way to take a guided tour!

Somewhere out there, there's a helmet and handlebars waiting for me. I just know it!

Lubbock, Texas, Dust Storm

Yesterday, I found myself in a wild wind and dust storm on a trip to Lubbock, Texas.

After arriving at my destination, the winds were still going strong. (I had heard later that winds were 60-70 mph)

I'm happy to say that, today, it's sunny and beautiful in Lubbock, and not windy at all!

Before getting deep into the dust storm, I noticed this giant-sized dust devil near Plainfield, Texas.
I have seen small dust devils out west, but much smaller though. I'm glad this one was a safe distance away from the highway. It was quite a sight though!

Armadillo Poo

Borrowing from Hallmark for a moment...

When you care enough to give the very best, give Armadillo Poo! That's what I do!  Just ask my family.  :)

They all agree that chocolate taffy tastes so much better when it has a gross-out name like Armadillo Poo.

South Padre Island Jetty

This postcard features one of the jetties extending into the Gulf of Mexico along South Padre Island in Texas.  It must have looked so inviting that those people walked way, way, WAY out there.

Here's a contrasting view from just a few weeks ago. Not quite as inviting on this particular day; only a few brave souls dared to walk very far from shore.

But it made for great viewing of the waves splashing and crashing out there all day!

 I don't know if all of these fishing folks decided it was best to stay further inland or if this is just where they regularly fish.

I do know one thing though, and that is that it's a good idea to not stand too close to the fishing folks, trying to take pictures, while they are casting their fishing lines! :)

Texas Gulf Coast

I wish I could just blink my eyes, you know, like Jeannie from the tv show, "I Dream of Jeannie" did, and transport myself back to the beaches of Texas right now.

I say "back" to the beaches, because I visited there not long ago. It was so nice, so peaceful, so beautiful, so relaxing. And so fun spotting the wildlife living there.

I spotted this pelican at dusk. It looked like he (or she) was hunkering down for the night amongst the dunes.

Thank you, Mr. (or Ms.) Pelican for tolerating me taking your picture. It was the perfect ending for a day at the beach!

World's 3rd Largest Fire Hydrant, Beaumont, Texas USA

I must say, it's pretty sneaky to paint a fire hydrant in Dalmatian camouflage. BUT, I managed to find it anyway! Yesterday, while in Beaumont, Texas, I had to pay a visit! Who wouldn't?

There were lots of normal-sized hydrants there, too, also decked out in matching Dalmatian camouflage.

All of the hydrants, both large and small, are located in this plaza, which is located directly across the street from the Fire Museum of Texas,

Also in the plaza is this nice little September 11 memorial.......

......and this statue of two firemen in action. A memorial for Texas firemen.

My visit was brief, but the warm, sunny weather of southern Texas helped to make it very enjoyable before I had to start heading back north to cold winter weather again!

Birds On A Wire

 I snapped this photo yesterday morning, pre-dawn, at an intersection in Brownsville, Texas. There isn't anything photographically appealing about this picture. But, what is pretty cool about it are the hundreds of birds perched on the wires overheard.
Every wire was covered with birds, all facing the same direction.

Just an unusual, fun little sighting to start the day!

Memorial Day 2012

In honor of Memorial Day, I'm sharing photos of a statue I came across in Cuero, Texas earlier this year.

The statue commemorates Master Sergeant Raul (Roy) Perez Benavidez, who received the Medal of Honor for actions in combat during the Vietnam War.

 I did not know of the life and times of this remarkably heroic man until I looked up more information about him on the internet.

Hope you all have a peaceful day, wherever you are.

Cuero, Texas

Midland, Texas USA

Just a sign that I rolled past yesterday in hot, hot, hot Texas. One of those little "Ah, I did not know that" moments.
And then, one of those "I wonder if they still live there" moments.
And then, one of those "I'm pretty sure they still live somewhere in Texas" moments.
And then, one of those "Dang it, I must look it up now or it will bug me all day" moments.
And then, one of those "Ok, so they live in the Dallas area now. Thank you, Google!" moments.  : )

This is what I mean by "hot, hot, hot". It got as high as 107F, at one point. (40-42C)....and it's only April!

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas USA

This is a postcard of Cadillac Ranch back when you could still sort of tell that these vehicles were actual Cadillacs.

Here is what it looks like nowadays, after a Texas-sized rain drenching.

Empty spray paint cans are plentiful.

Including GIANT empty spray paint cans!

Admission is free. The only requirement to visit is to awkwardly navigate through this small gate in ankle-deep mud.












Let's take a closer look at what this sign says..........

Alrighty then!

There was a steady trickle of visitors coming and going while I was there. I imagine it's like that every day.

Here are a couple links providing everything you might want to know about Cadillac Ranch:
 1.Wikipedia: Cadillac Ranch
2. Roadside America: Cadillac Ranch

Outgoing Texas Horses Postcard

US-1511926
Another "back in January" card, this one made its way to Mario in Poland. I chose it because it combined two of his loves, horses and mountains.

He also likes dogs, photography and the color green. It's fun to add a little extra customization with the right stamps. : )

Friona, Texas USA

A special post for dear GG.
I enjoyed my brief visit at the home of Bigfoot. No, not THE Bigfoot, but A bigfoot : )

 Oh, looky! Another Friona sign. It just doesn't get any better than this!

Wow! A 3rd Friona sign! It DOES get better, afterall!

This is one proud little biggest small town city from the Lone Star State!

And finally, my very own lucky Friona penny.
I disinfected and sanitized it, because you just never know where that penny has been!