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.