Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Tale of Four Elements Pt. 4
The only thing that can D up early is his truck, and that's exactly what it took to roust him up this morning. He and M were up at daybreak leaving me to slumber. When I finally got out there, He had the truck up on the ramp, and the engine taken apart. 'Only this could happen to us,' I thought. We, out in the middle of a state park, our one reliant vehicle blown to smithereens. Yeah, that's our family, alright.
After breakfast, Sara and I took a walk, nearly a mile in length, when we ran into my parents. They picked us up because my boots and I weren't on friendly terms. The blisters had been on my left heel in the past, now they fit just fine. It was the Achilles heel that was bothering me in my right heel now, and it wasn't exactly causing blisters at the moment. A ways back, when I was playing baseball, a got a foot injury from sliding into 1st base. Turned out I had the same injury now that I had then. Dad informed in the car that one foot was slightly larger than the other. That's the last time I ever bring one pair of shoes on a trip again. After a short trip back to the shelter, My dad and I went out and bought another night at the park, and some cords of wood for a fire. After a quck dropoff, Dad took D into town to get parts for the truck. When they get back, it's my turn to go to Wallyworld. People in Livingston sure do take All Hallow's Eve seriously around here. For instance, this one customer was dressed up to look like she had her head cut off, and everytime I looked at her, I believed it. While we were at the store, we got some shoes for my feet, plus they were open heeled, so that was a plus. We returned to the shelter only to find D and M working on the engine of the truck under the makings of a beautiful sunset. I had to go out and shoot it, of course. Under another shelter just up from the lake, I took up a position in order to capture the waning globe of fire. I moved down the shore, when all of a sudden, I hear the sound of a van pulling up behind me. Lo and behold, a church-group pops out. It was a visit for a day only, I later found out.
Update on the truck: D and M still haven't fixed it yet. They took the water-pump out (the part that gave them trouble to start with.) with only 11 screws. There should've been 12. It's kind'a like the Aggies and 12th man in football. Somewhat. So it was time to pack it in, and wait for another Texas sunrise.
Tried to light a campfire tonight, but the wood was still too wet. We used all of our Eagle Scout skills, but as they say, you have it, or you don't. All the elements were against us, like the cold wind blowing across the lake, and it didn't take long for us to give up and head inside for a Chickenfoot Tournament. It was warmer, anyhow.
After breakfast, Sara and I took a walk, nearly a mile in length, when we ran into my parents. They picked us up because my boots and I weren't on friendly terms. The blisters had been on my left heel in the past, now they fit just fine. It was the Achilles heel that was bothering me in my right heel now, and it wasn't exactly causing blisters at the moment. A ways back, when I was playing baseball, a got a foot injury from sliding into 1st base. Turned out I had the same injury now that I had then. Dad informed in the car that one foot was slightly larger than the other. That's the last time I ever bring one pair of shoes on a trip again. After a short trip back to the shelter, My dad and I went out and bought another night at the park, and some cords of wood for a fire. After a quck dropoff, Dad took D into town to get parts for the truck. When they get back, it's my turn to go to Wallyworld. People in Livingston sure do take All Hallow's Eve seriously around here. For instance, this one customer was dressed up to look like she had her head cut off, and everytime I looked at her, I believed it. While we were at the store, we got some shoes for my feet, plus they were open heeled, so that was a plus. We returned to the shelter only to find D and M working on the engine of the truck under the makings of a beautiful sunset. I had to go out and shoot it, of course. Under another shelter just up from the lake, I took up a position in order to capture the waning globe of fire. I moved down the shore, when all of a sudden, I hear the sound of a van pulling up behind me. Lo and behold, a church-group pops out. It was a visit for a day only, I later found out.
Update on the truck: D and M still haven't fixed it yet. They took the water-pump out (the part that gave them trouble to start with.) with only 11 screws. There should've been 12. It's kind'a like the Aggies and 12th man in football. Somewhat. So it was time to pack it in, and wait for another Texas sunrise.
Tried to light a campfire tonight, but the wood was still too wet. We used all of our Eagle Scout skills, but as they say, you have it, or you don't. All the elements were against us, like the cold wind blowing across the lake, and it didn't take long for us to give up and head inside for a Chickenfoot Tournament. It was warmer, anyhow.
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Tale of Four Elements Pt. 3
Day 3: Rose late, but that's what you're supposed to do on vacations, right? Well, before I could partake of any breakfast whatsoever, I was called away to photograph waterfowl, especially as my brother had enticed them to come within six inches of his shoe with a slice of bread. It was a literall duck-shoot as we got three species that day: A Mallard, an American White Pelican, and a Least Sandpiper, the last two being new on my lifelist since then. You know the saying about things getting getting squirrely? Yeah, well, this situation really did. Try feeding bread to a photogenic squirrel who kinda' reminded me of Obamba that tries to hog the spotlight whenever he can. (All of these pics can be seen on my Facebook account.) When my brother ran out of bread, the critter tried my hand, literally. I was three or four inches away, trying to get the best shot, and up he comes, grabs me by my left forefinger, and checks (frisks?) me for breadcrumbs. I thought he was saying, "Hi, I'm Mr. Roberts. Welcome to the neighborhood." I've never shaken paws with a squirrel before, but he had a strong grip, and you can tell a whole lot about a squirrel from his pawshake, or at least that's what John Wayne said.
Okay, an update on the truck that broke down and was supposed to be the main vehicle's support car. Turns out it needs support in the way of a water pump. D has the parts at home so he and dad are taking the early express outta here to retrieve them
Once a late brunchfast was eaten, the three remaining settled down to play Nerts, which is a cardgame. Mom and the youngest were especially good at it, while I was, well, let's say a bit subpar. Of course, this was the first time I'd played it and I need weeks of assimilation and repetation for anything new to be learned well. So I sat back, and watched my mom smash my brother into the dust. After a few rounds of this, I decided to take the pooch on a walk, and a little exploration plus take pictures. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. With Sara pulling on my five foot leash going for all the scents she could whiff, it definately put my photo shoot on it's shutter. Turned out though, that the pics were salvaged and came out better than I expected. Now to learn how finally use the utility settings on said camera!!! We walked about two miles that day before collapsing in the shelter. Soon after Dad and D returned (After more than eight hours gone.) Mom and M were still at it playing Nertz so I went on another picture walk. You know, after 21-22,000 pics, I think it's time to unoffioially incorporate myself in the picture business. Ben Jones- "Nature Photography" I think that would fill the bill.
With the return of my middle brother, the work on the truck re-commences with him draining the oil from his truck. According to me, that's a dirty job.
I shot a beautiful sunset, devoting what must have been 45 minutes to it. All I can say is WOW!!! If God made the world in six days, what's He going to do 2000 yrs? My pictures don't do His creations justice, just to tell you the truth. I will always miss something, and that's why I have to keep coming back to witness His artwork and Creation all over again.
After dinner, Mom made up a double-batch of dutch-oven brownies. They were beyond perfect!
M wanted to win back some bragging rights he had lost to mom that day, so right after dessert, he and mom sat down to play Nerts again. Meanwhile, us two older ones listed in from the mezzanine. Oh, yeah, did I tell you that we were trying to get some sleep, well at least my other brother was. I was up 'till 02:00 in the a.m. composing the start of this journal which contained easy sentances that would jog the ol' brainbox.
Okay, an update on the truck that broke down and was supposed to be the main vehicle's support car. Turns out it needs support in the way of a water pump. D has the parts at home so he and dad are taking the early express outta here to retrieve them
Once a late brunchfast was eaten, the three remaining settled down to play Nerts, which is a cardgame. Mom and the youngest were especially good at it, while I was, well, let's say a bit subpar. Of course, this was the first time I'd played it and I need weeks of assimilation and repetation for anything new to be learned well. So I sat back, and watched my mom smash my brother into the dust. After a few rounds of this, I decided to take the pooch on a walk, and a little exploration plus take pictures. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. With Sara pulling on my five foot leash going for all the scents she could whiff, it definately put my photo shoot on it's shutter. Turned out though, that the pics were salvaged and came out better than I expected. Now to learn how finally use the utility settings on said camera!!! We walked about two miles that day before collapsing in the shelter. Soon after Dad and D returned (After more than eight hours gone.) Mom and M were still at it playing Nertz so I went on another picture walk. You know, after 21-22,000 pics, I think it's time to unoffioially incorporate myself in the picture business. Ben Jones- "Nature Photography" I think that would fill the bill.
With the return of my middle brother, the work on the truck re-commences with him draining the oil from his truck. According to me, that's a dirty job.
I shot a beautiful sunset, devoting what must have been 45 minutes to it. All I can say is WOW!!! If God made the world in six days, what's He going to do 2000 yrs? My pictures don't do His creations justice, just to tell you the truth. I will always miss something, and that's why I have to keep coming back to witness His artwork and Creation all over again.
After dinner, Mom made up a double-batch of dutch-oven brownies. They were beyond perfect!
M wanted to win back some bragging rights he had lost to mom that day, so right after dessert, he and mom sat down to play Nerts again. Meanwhile, us two older ones listed in from the mezzanine. Oh, yeah, did I tell you that we were trying to get some sleep, well at least my other brother was. I was up 'till 02:00 in the a.m. composing the start of this journal which contained easy sentances that would jog the ol' brainbox.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Tale of Four Elements Pt. 2
Day 2: We got up late that morning, us two elder ones in the second-story bunk, and our parents down below, and our youngest brother out in the truck. I could barely eat my instant oatmeal and sausage, but my mojo would kick back in later that day, to be sure.
To say the day was a complete washout was an understatement. No, with all the local rain, it was almost up to Biblical proportions. Just ask the duck swimming underneath our shelter.
Meanwhile, I hooked up another rope to act as a lever between levels for my daypack since there was no room for it on the floor, and yet I still wanted it at night because it had my meds, light, and book in it.
Shortly after we ate breakfast and cleaned up the shelter, we got a break in the rain and made a dash for the van. Naturally, we had take Sara with us, except there was no Sara. I got on the phone to my two brothers to ask them if they had Sara. They're answer was in the negative. It was then my heart was in my throat and my stomach became nauseous. About 10 minutes later, we found her on the other side of the parking lot. It was then we realized she was a squirrel dog and she wandered off when she came across it's scent.
We went into Livingston in search of groceries. We wound up at Wal-Mart, and dad and I went in. When we went in, we hit a break in the rain. Now, as dad and I came out, we were getting caught in the next wave of rain. I was not at all surprised to hear Polk Co. was under a Tornado Watch. (Note to self: You are an Eagle Scout with nothing left to prove, once more, you are injured. Do a cabin next time. There's no shame in that!!!) We tried to get plastic around the shelter because the wind was blowing SW/NE and it was scheduled to come about to NW/SE. The floor around the shelter was a wreck while we got the additional tarps up. The wind was gusting 50-60 mph, and then a siren went off. Trust me, I've lived across the street from one for seven years. Every first Wednesday of the month at 1:00p that sucker would go off. Now I didn't know at the time whether it was the dam horn (for the lake) or the tornado siren. I still don't know. Both happened. The dam was opened and at least a tornado formed over a town a few miles North of our area. The front moved through about 8-8:30p dropping seven degrees in one minute. Also, to add insult to injury, Dan's truck broke down, and it was supposed to be OUR backup vehicle. It was the water pump which is not easy to do.
To say the day was a complete washout was an understatement. No, with all the local rain, it was almost up to Biblical proportions. Just ask the duck swimming underneath our shelter.
Meanwhile, I hooked up another rope to act as a lever between levels for my daypack since there was no room for it on the floor, and yet I still wanted it at night because it had my meds, light, and book in it.
Shortly after we ate breakfast and cleaned up the shelter, we got a break in the rain and made a dash for the van. Naturally, we had take Sara with us, except there was no Sara. I got on the phone to my two brothers to ask them if they had Sara. They're answer was in the negative. It was then my heart was in my throat and my stomach became nauseous. About 10 minutes later, we found her on the other side of the parking lot. It was then we realized she was a squirrel dog and she wandered off when she came across it's scent.
We went into Livingston in search of groceries. We wound up at Wal-Mart, and dad and I went in. When we went in, we hit a break in the rain. Now, as dad and I came out, we were getting caught in the next wave of rain. I was not at all surprised to hear Polk Co. was under a Tornado Watch. (Note to self: You are an Eagle Scout with nothing left to prove, once more, you are injured. Do a cabin next time. There's no shame in that!!!) We tried to get plastic around the shelter because the wind was blowing SW/NE and it was scheduled to come about to NW/SE. The floor around the shelter was a wreck while we got the additional tarps up. The wind was gusting 50-60 mph, and then a siren went off. Trust me, I've lived across the street from one for seven years. Every first Wednesday of the month at 1:00p that sucker would go off. Now I didn't know at the time whether it was the dam horn (for the lake) or the tornado siren. I still don't know. Both happened. The dam was opened and at least a tornado formed over a town a few miles North of our area. The front moved through about 8-8:30p dropping seven degrees in one minute. Also, to add insult to injury, Dan's truck broke down, and it was supposed to be OUR backup vehicle. It was the water pump which is not easy to do.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Tale of Four Elements Pt. 1
It was the wettest of times, and it was the fairest of times. The times for water pumps to fail, and duct tape to come into play. It was a trip of desperation, and yet success waited for us, there, at the end. You look back on these memories as challenges. Well, we did not go there to meet a challenge. Just the opposite. At least I think so.
So it took three days for us to get our act together as we had not been family camping for a while. We were going to Lk. Livingston S.P. for a supposed four-night stay in a shelter there. We had only about a two-hour drive, but we had two cars, and we kept losing the second vehicle every five minutes. That was supposed to be our backup vehicle as our main car was on it's last axles. It was muggy and our only savior was the strong wind that accompanied a front that was coming through on the morrow from the NW. Now, to my dad, a vacation means work. We were going there to relax from three long years of the school, work, chores, etc. Not so. It took dad so long to wind down was just beginning to as we left.
It took an hour for us to move in, and take a cursory look around. We noticed that every body of water on our trip up was full to overfulling and Lk. Livingston was no exception. My brothers decided to run into town, which was Livingston, to see what was there and dad left sometime after to bring in dinner. Meanwhile, mom and I walked the family dog, Sara. After surveying the outside, we went in and I went up to the loft to get my bedding ready. By the time I was time was done with that, I was exhausted. You see, my neurologist had started me on a new dose of old medicines that began this week. The side effects of those taken during the day were, primarily, sleepiness. This campout was planned way in advance of that, so I was not letting the meds have the satisfaction of ruining the campout for me. I may be there in spirit only, but that's better than not being there at all, true?
Dad brought back What-A-Burger, and I barely made it through my sandwhich before it was back up to the loft with me for good that night. Another item: wherever I go, my daypack follows. So naturally I had already taken it up to the loft, and when I got up there to sleep, I didn't have it secured at my feet. Sara found that out the hard way as she was sleeping on the first floor directly underneath the loft. It's safe to say that she wouldn't return to bed, and curled up at my dad's feet. I slept fitfully, probably borrowing too many equipment slipcovers, but the one I love most is an old buckwheat shell pillow I got seven years ago
So it took three days for us to get our act together as we had not been family camping for a while. We were going to Lk. Livingston S.P. for a supposed four-night stay in a shelter there. We had only about a two-hour drive, but we had two cars, and we kept losing the second vehicle every five minutes. That was supposed to be our backup vehicle as our main car was on it's last axles. It was muggy and our only savior was the strong wind that accompanied a front that was coming through on the morrow from the NW. Now, to my dad, a vacation means work. We were going there to relax from three long years of the school, work, chores, etc. Not so. It took dad so long to wind down was just beginning to as we left.
It took an hour for us to move in, and take a cursory look around. We noticed that every body of water on our trip up was full to overfulling and Lk. Livingston was no exception. My brothers decided to run into town, which was Livingston, to see what was there and dad left sometime after to bring in dinner. Meanwhile, mom and I walked the family dog, Sara. After surveying the outside, we went in and I went up to the loft to get my bedding ready. By the time I was time was done with that, I was exhausted. You see, my neurologist had started me on a new dose of old medicines that began this week. The side effects of those taken during the day were, primarily, sleepiness. This campout was planned way in advance of that, so I was not letting the meds have the satisfaction of ruining the campout for me. I may be there in spirit only, but that's better than not being there at all, true?
Dad brought back What-A-Burger, and I barely made it through my sandwhich before it was back up to the loft with me for good that night. Another item: wherever I go, my daypack follows. So naturally I had already taken it up to the loft, and when I got up there to sleep, I didn't have it secured at my feet. Sara found that out the hard way as she was sleeping on the first floor directly underneath the loft. It's safe to say that she wouldn't return to bed, and curled up at my dad's feet. I slept fitfully, probably borrowing too many equipment slipcovers, but the one I love most is an old buckwheat shell pillow I got seven years ago
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