Davy Crockett National Forest

The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas, and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins. The Davy Crockett National Forest was proclaimed a National Forest by President Franklin Roosevelt on October 15, 1936.

Gunfire Scares Citizens........

Late-night gun battles with gangs who forced citizens from their cars and used the vehicles to block streets paralyzed a border city, sound of gunfire alarmed Texans on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande.  The Nuevo Laredo city government posted messages on Facebook warning citizens to stay indoors as the battles erupted at several intersections in the city across from Laredo, Texas.  Frightened people on the U.S. side of the border called emergency dispatchers after hearing the gunfire.  Gangs used stolen cars and buses to block several main avenues in the city across from Laredo, Texas. Several residents called local newspapers to report thefts.

Last week, drug gangs introduced a new threat to Mexico's drug war, detonating their first successful car bomb. The attack killed a federal police officer and two others in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua's largest city.
It's too dangerous to visit Mexico anymore, the people who go across the border for vacations, are opting to fly down to resort areas along the coast.  Fear of the drug cartels, have become a daily risk to residents and visitor's alike.

White Rock Lake

The lake was formed by damming White Rock Creek, which today widens into the lake before continuing south out of the spillway and emptying into the Trinity River. From its earliest days, area residents wanting to get away from home constructed cabins on leased property along its shoreline.  Although originally permitted, swimming was banned in September 1952. A ban on motorized boats followed in 1958.  The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park, which features a 9.33 mile trail for hiking, running and bicycling, the Bath House cultural Center and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. There are several fishing piers and sailing is permitted.  Many events are held at White Rock Lake, including the "White Rock Marathon", which, for part of the course, runs around the lake.

Video Below.......

A recent visitor to this site, ask if I remembered "Penny Whistle Park"?  I found this video of someones birthday party, in the park, which was an enclosed building, with rides catering to "children's birthday parties".  I remember the smell of the different motors, which made the rides active.  That part of the park I didn't like, but the rest was good, especially in bad weather.

Penny Whistle Park/Dallas, TX 1991

Texas Longhorn Cattle

Through the mid-1800s, these range-rugged, big horned cattle multiplied without the help of man. Traits were genetically fixed, and as a result of survival of the fittest, resulted in ecologically adapted bovine families with extremely good heath, fertility, teeth, disease resistance, and soundness of body and limb. They multiplied by the millions. In 1876, an estimated 1000-head breeding herd was introduced into southern Alberta, Canada. By 1884, these cattle were estimated to have multiplied to 40,000 head with natural births and importation.
The historic Texas Longhorn was the time tested choice of some serious producers. Although later trading occurred between Longhorn producers, six unique strains were selectively perpetuated by private ranch families before 1931. Several early producers were instrumental in providing Longhorn genetics when the United States Government realized the near extinction of these creatures. The government herd, established in 1927 at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Cache, Oklahoma, was to become the seventh of the preserved Texas Longhorn families. These family genetics established in the early thirties and before are still maintained by family members and friends. Today producers of Texas Longhorns either raise their favorite family bloodline in a pure state or mix and select combination of several family bloodlines.

Hottest Year.......

The world is enduring the hottest year on record, according to a U.S. national weather analysis, causing droughts worldwide and a concern for U.S. farmers counting on another bumper year. Period of a El Nino weather pattern is being blamed for the hot temperatures globally.  The world is enduring the hottest year on record, according to a U.S. national weather analysis, causing droughts worldwide and a concern for U.S. farmers  counting on another bumper year. However, as cooler temperatures may set in later this year, it remains to be seen whether 2010 will overtake 2005 as the hottest year overall.

State Fair of Texas

 

September 24 - October 17, 2010

Birthplace of Big Tex & Fletcher's Corny Dogs

Over 500 Layoff's

Dallas City Manager's office, said this morning that it expects to give layoff notices to some 500 civilian city employees to help balance the city's budget in October. Many of those employees will be part-time workers for the library and parks departments, among others.
The deficit had soared to $130 million in the city's roughly $2 billion operating budget as a result of precipitous falls in property and sales tax revenues.  The city staff will present a balanced budget plan to the City Council in early August for adoption in late September.
Deep cuts to city services, including libraries, parks and cultural facilities have helped close that gap, along with plans for a host of new fees, as well as layoffs, furloughs and paycuts for city employees.
In addition to 8 furlough days in the next budget year, city employees can expect, on average, a nearly 2 percent cut in pay.  It is still negotiating with police officers and firefighters to implement furlough days in those departments - which consume nearly 60 percent of the city's general fund budget.

Natural Bridge Entrance.......

Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest known commercial caverns  in the state of Texas. The name was derived from the 65 foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting of the cavern's entrance. The span was left suspended when a sinkhole collapsed below it.
The caverns are located near the city of New Braunfels, Texas in the Texas Hill Country next to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a drive-through wildlife safari park. The caverns feature several unique speleothems and other geological formations. The temperature inside the cave is 70° year-round and the deepest part of the public tour is 64.3 m (211 feet) below the surface.
The caverns are still very active and growing. Water flows and drips constantly throughout, causing the formations to retain a waxy luster that can be seen in few caverns.

RiverWalk in San Antonio

Cap Still Unsure.....

 

BP's work to cap its Gulf of Mexico gusher was in limbo Wednesday after the federal government raised concerns the operation could put damaging pressure on the busted well and make the leak worse.

An administration official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the talks with BP, said the government was acting out of an "abundance of caution" and didn't want potentially dangerous pressure tests on a tighter cap that has been placed over the well to go ahead until BP answers questions about possible risks.
The delays were a stunning setback after the oil giant finally seemed to be on track following nearly three months of failed attempts to stop the spill, which has sullied beaches from Florida to Texas and decimated the multibillion dollar fishing industry.

Hey Ranger Fans........!

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I found this and thought you might be interested!

Pecan Tree.......

Mockingbird........

The official state bird of Texas......

Texas Horny Toad

Some call this a lizard......

General Sam Houston........

100 Year Old Battleship Texas

San Jacinto Monument

American Airlines Center

Texas State Capitol

Reunion Tower.....

When you see pictures of the Dallas skyline, this is the ball that you see. The first deck is an observation deck, the second deck is being converted into event space and the third deck will be Antares Restaurant and the Dome Lounge bar.

Dallas Skyline From the State Fair Grounds

Dallas skyline at TX state fare

Synthetic Marijuana.......

The synthetic marijuana is legal in most parts of Texas and the United States. But alarmed by its growing use and easy availability, states and local governments are now scrambling to take "fake weed" off the streets. Authorities say the fake weed appears easily accessible to teenagers. It can be bought in head shops and at gas stations – and also from anyone who can buy the chemical that is sprayed onto herbs to make the product.
Seven head shops in the Dallas area declined to comment on their sale of K2. None would talk about how old – or young – their buyers are, although many shops claim to sell only to adults. Known on the streets as "spice," "genie" or "zohai," K2 is a mix of herbs and flowers sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids. Depending on the potency, it can sell for $30 to $50 for 3 grams. The chemical compound in the spray is similar to THC, the natural active ingredient in marijuana. But it is untraceable in drug tests.

The Alamo

Happy 4th.........

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Originally entitled Yankee Doodle, this is one of several versions of a scene painted by A. M. Willard that came to be known as The Spirit of '76. Often imitated or parodied, it is a familiar symbol of American patriotism.

4th Weather.......

Only isolated, pop-up storms are expected in the afternoon of July 4th. A little more sunshine will heat things up to around 93 degrees on Sunday. The rain chances will be around 20 percent. So, most of us will be rain-free, but a few will see a little rain. However, any showers should dissipate by sundown, just in time for all of the fireworks displays going on around North Texas.

Texas Ranger's Baseball

What a beautiful park!

Alex Not So Bad........

Coastal residents had been preparing for the worst, stocking up on essential goods and readying their homes. But the storm appeared to have saved most of its wrath for Mexico. Shortly before it came ashore, the hurricane center downgraded its hurricane warning for the Texas coast to a tropical storm warning.

By then, the outer bands of Alex had taken several swings at Brownsville and South Padre Island, where 66 mph gusts closed the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway. The span linking the tourist island to the rest of Texas remained closed Thursday morning.