Historical Markers and Deer Feeders

I checked out of the Midland Hilton this morning at 7:30. I fueled up with unleaded, dark roast, and three 3 liters of Ozarka and started my long trip home. I decided to take a route to Interstate 10 that I did not drive in on Sunday. I am so glad I made that choice. Part of the reason why I choose a new route is to "pump" myself up about seeing a new and different scenery. After about an hour drive south of Midland, I noticed plateaus and mesa formations on the horizon and also began seeing more elevation changes along the way. Soon I found myself in what I have always imagined what the "desert" was like. And....

It.
Was.
Amazing.

The expanse across the valleys from one plateau to the other reminded me of Alaska. For those of us who live in south east Texas, we are familiar with a fence line to fence line or tree line to tree line way of life. As in how far and what you see in the distance. West Texas... you see for miles and miles! The road into Iraan traveled along the base of one plateau ridge line and around each bend, a new view appeared that would make you want to stop and take pictures. Which is part of the reason why it took me an extra 3 hours to make it home haha!

 

 

 

 

 

I told myself that I was going to take my time getting home today and enjoy the drive. So I kinda stopped to investigate very historical marker I came across. Now, I am so much more knowledgeable about west Texas history than I was yesterday! I saw some really interesting places. I crossed the Pecos River and learned about the expedition to find a safe crossing for the army in the mid 1800s. In Iraan I stopped at the very first oil well that struck the good stuff in west Texas. And i learned about the Government Road, which might of been my favorite place I visited to today.

 

 

 

 So when I was in Iraan, I "checked-in" on the ol Facebook. Short while later, my friend Brian Center commented/joked on my check-in about picking up a deer feeder for him in a small town south of I-10. Suuuurrrreee Brian! It just allowed me more time to explore and see! So, I got directions, drove to Sheffield, found the ranch road, unlocked the gate and cruised on into his old deer lease in Sheffield, TX. After locating his feeder, loading it into the back of the Chevy, strapping it down, and getting back off the lease, I had burned about 45 minutes. Not to shabby! While staring at the road in front of me after pulling out from the ranch road, I had a choice to make. Turn left, go back the way I had just came and jump onto I-10. Turn right, see how far that rabbit hole would go (Matrix reference. *there were no red or blue pills taken at any point during this trip. No animals were harmed either)

My right turn was the right call. I kept thinking of the movie Cars when driving this expanse of road. Just like Radiator Springs in Cars, Sheffield had been bypassed by the interstate and there was about a 35 mile section of highway that really wasn't used anymore. But damn, was it a awesome drive! I crossed the Pecos River (for the second time) and soon passed by the State of Texas Historical Site- Ft Lancaster. The fort was in operation in the 1800s and the state has kept it historically accurate as to how things were during that time. The 35 mile stretch of road that was not used that much anymore was actually a trail used during the fort's hay day. The supply line began from Indianola (present day Port O'Connor) to Ft. Lancaster and all the forts in west Texas. It was known as the "Government Road" to the army in the 1800s. I learned this tid-bit of info from a historical marker that was at a scenic picnic area on top of a plateau ridge that required some switchbacks, blind curves, and steep drop offs that was above and overlooking the valley I had just driven through.

So all in all, it was a great trip. Seeing new places and things and meeting new people always gets me going! Throw in an awesome drive and a little free knowledge to boot.... equals a success in my book. Can't wait until the next trip!



Its Not Always About the Catching

Well, I knew it.

I knew it wouldn't take long for me to write something about one of the biggest loves of my life. People who know anything about me know that I have a passion, almost obsession if you will, with fishing.  For a lot of people, fishing is just spending some free time and doing something in the great outdoors. They see going fishing as something to do when camping, on vacation, or even at an attempt at reconnecting with their childhood. But for myself, its is much deeper than that. Its part of my soul. It's also one of the most difficult things for me to explain. I do not have enough time this evening to even begin to introduce what fishing means to me but I can give a little insight as to how it first got into my blood. 

Thank you, Dad.

My father is my best friend. Since the time I was old enough to go with him, Dad was taking me fishing. My earliest fishing memories I can recall was with him in Rockport, Texas and and around Kenedy, Texas. I must of been about 3 or 4 years old when he would take me to stock tanks to catch bass. Hell, I can even remember what type of lure we were throwing, a Rebel crankbait- brown/orange crawfish pattern! I think I was around 5 when he strapped a life jacket on me and took me wade fishing in Rockport! I don't remember if we caught anything but he had me hooked (pun or no pun, its up to you)! Whether it was spending time together in a stream in Whitefish, Montana, ice fishing in Alaska, team bass tournaments in east Texas, or wade fishing down on the Lower Laguna Madre, I was spending time with my best friend. That in itself is why fishing is so important in my life.

DAMN GINA!!! Just look at those shorts!

 

 

 

 

Best buds!

 

 

 

 

In February 2010 my father and I picked up our brand new and very first bay boat. Transport Boats in Palacios, Texas custom built us a 21' Transport XLR8 LS with a 175hp Suzuki outboard. She was absolutely beautiful! Later that spring, we found out that my grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer. During that summer, in between his treatments, we would load him up in the boat and run off to do a little fishing. The time spent with my dad and grandfather during those trips will last me forever. Sure, we caught a few fish but there is one thing that I have learned in all the years of fishing... It's not always about the catching. The time we spent together doing what we loved was so very precious and provided us wonderful memories. That August, my grandfather passed away. The last time I spent with him was fishing on our boat and I feel so very blessed that fishing enabled us to spend those special moments together.

 

 

 

My grandfather- July 2010

 

 

 

 

Showing my brother n law the ropes! David did good!! Just a few more memories with the boat.

 

As of this week, dad and I decided to put the boat on the market. It has been difficult thinking about never setting foot on her again but everything in life changes and everything must come to an end. BUT, don't you think we will go boat less for long! We are going back to our "roots" so to speak. For as long as I can remember, dad has always wanted a Ranger bass boat. So, upon the sell of the bay boat, and mom already said yes (haha!), we will be ordering a brand new Ranger Comanche z521. It has already been a lot of fun spending time with dad talking about color options, electronics, motors, and all the other bells and whistles! Bitter sweet closing one chapter and yet opening another. Yet I'm already excited to spend more time fishing with my best friend in our new boat.

Here is a little preview to what we are looking to be fishing out of in the near future!

Asphalt and a Best Seller

As you know, I am in Midland Texas for a week of work. I left my parents house Sunday morning for a trek across the great state of Texas. With the "Chevy tuned up like a NASCAR pit stop", I pointed her west and set off to a part of the state I have never seen before. Along the way I managed to snap a few photos to capture my westward expansion. So it was on to I-10, passed by Buc-ees in Luling, through San Antoine, up through Kerrville, the home of Johnny "Football", passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly, twirly, gumdrops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.

 

 

 

 

 

No but really (if you didn't catch the Elf reference), I now understand what all the fuss is about with Texas Hill Country. The drive was beautiful. Every bend in the road seemingly brought a new awesome view across limestone littered canyons, ravines and across wide expanses with vista plateaus on the horizon. I honestly wished I was on horseback and a six-shooter by my side looking for injuns in the cliffs and rattlesnakes on the trail!

...Back to reality, It really was a great drive. I wish I had taken the opportunity to stop at some of the scenic pull-offs and taken some more photos. It was a beautiful day for cruisin' on a Sunday! Loved the 80 mph speed limits!

About 75 miles south of Midland, I had to pass through the vast metropolis of Big Lake, Texas. Big Lake is home of the fightin' Owls. It is also the former home of MLB Pitcher Jimmy Morris. Jimmy was the focus of the 2002 Disney movie, The Rookie, in which Big Lake was a major setting for the movie. It was really cool to say I've been through this small, now famous, west Texas town.

 

After my seven and half hour drive, I reached Midland. I checked into my hotel and immediately executed a perfect, professional face plant into my bed. I laid there for a few moments but realized the sun was going to still be up for a few more hours. There was a brand new place for me to explore! To hell with just laying in bed and wasting daylight! I jumped up, grabbed my keys and Costas and hit the road once more. 

Before I even left the hotel, I knew immediately where I was going. Only twenty short miles away from Midland is one of the most storied high school football programs, not only in the state, but the entire nation: Permian High School. Home of the Permian Panthers and MOJO. Permian was the focus point of Friday Night Lights, a best-selling book written by H.G. Bissinger. As you probably know, the book inspired a movie and a TV series. Bissinger's book managed to successfully capture the town, its people, and the mad culture that surrounds Texas high school football and is one of the best sports books ever written.

  As the son of a Texas high school football coach and a Texas high school cheerleader sponsor, the sport has played such an important part in my family and my life, so there was no way I was going to miss the chance of seeing the home of MOJO! I really wish that Mom, Dad, Molly, and David had been there to see it with me!

 

 

 

Ratliff Stadium. Hallowed ground. Home of the Panthers and is ranked as one of the top 10 sports facilities in the nation by USA Today. Come autumn and football season, Friday evenings will find 20,000 passionate fans filling the seats to support MOJO, which is the rallying cry and has come to be a second mascot for the school. Ask any football fan- anywhere- what MOJO is and they will most likely know about Permian football. She sure is elegant and beautiful in the soft glow of the west Texas setting sun. I think she almost looks a little anxious to get the new season underway.

 

 

And speaking of the setting west Texas sun, I caught this gem. My first west Texas sunset. I pulled over and stepped out of my truck. As the pump jacks were working and the dry warm breeze blowing, I managed to catch this photo with the suns rays shining through the clouds. The only thing that would of made this any more "Texas" would of been a ice cold Lone Star in my hand. Texas forever....

 

Couldn't sign off this post without including a photo of the classic icon of the west, the majestic Tumbleweed!

Do You Know A Great Tattoo Artist?

Ladies and Gentlemen,
This week I find myself far away from home on one of my adventures in exotic Midland, Texas.  For a traveler wandering the sand, stones, and tumbleweeds in this harsh, arid land that's riddled with pump jacks, oil rigs and ample amounts of dust... there is not much to do around here while "flying solo".

So this evening, while fighting a severe case of boredom and after finishing my spectacular room service dinner, (Rib Eye Steak with Maitre D Hotel Butter, Fingerling Potatoes, Vegetable Du Jour, Caesar Salad and a glass of Cab Sauvignon) I had a inspiring conversation with a friend.

It started as a simple Facebook message inquiring if I was interested in some Houston Dynamo tickets for this weekend.  Knowing to whom I was conversing with, I was not surprised to find that it had quickly evolved into a full fledged, laugh-out-loud, hour long, BS session in which I was very, very grateful.  You see, it had quenched that severe case of boredom I had been battling with.  However, not only did it cure my lack of stimuli out in West Texas, during this diverse intellectual conversation I was asked a simple question that could of resulted in life altering consequences (a slight exaggeration if you will).  What is the question that I know you are anxiously anticipating?

"Do you know a great tattoo artist?"

Now this might seem as the random of randomest questions but for those who know me, I believe its about "par for the course" for my personality and mad BS-ing skills, ability, and grace.  My reply is what kick started me sitting here at this desk in my hotel room at 1:09am throwing my thoughts out in digital form.  What was my instant, gut reaction reply?

"I do not. Maybe that's something i should know before I kick the bucket..."

Immediately after hitting the send button, I sat back and analyzed what I had said.  Maybe that's something i should know before I kick the bucket.  Now I do not have a philosophy degree (nor would I ever wish to have one just because it sounds so damn painful) and I am not big on preaching from an extremely structurally sound soap box but that little hamster inside my dome piece began hauling some serious ass on that little exercise wheel.

How did, "maybe that's something I should know before I kick the bucket" get me so riled up?  I sat on that oh so lush, pillow-top, Hilton mattress and began to brake it down to the most basic and naked idea....

Live life to the fullest.

(soap box warning)
Friends...take chances.  Think.  Sing.  Travel.  Explore.  Love.  Get dirty.  Cry.  Laugh.  Laugh till you cry.  Cry till you laugh.  Be spontaneous.  Work hard.  Look for ways to perform random acts of kindness for strangers.  Experience things in this world while you still can.  Don't look back when your physically unable to "Go" and "Do" and wish you had done so when you were younger.

My Grandma Dorothy has a magazine cut-out taped to her bathroom mirror that reads, "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, 'WOW . . . What a ride!'"  I hope that's how I am going about living my life.

So tonight I have added something and taken something off my imaginary "bucket list" while in exotic Midland.

One day, I want to know a great tattoo artist.

What did I take off my list?

I've always wanted to start my own blog.


Check ya later
-M