Great October!

October was a great month! One of the highlights, was our annual visit, to the State Fair of Texas! Below, is Quiz, Toni, Little D, and Big D, at the Chinese Lantern display.

This is a piece of metal art, that we thought was pretty cool! It made us think of our good friend, Carlos (Doc) Morales.

Below, is a pic of the huge ferris wheel, at the Fair!

While at the Fair, we were treated to several different bands. This is a Celtic rock band. We really enjoyed this band, especially the bag pipes!

October, found us making many trips! I made a trip to SoCal, while Little D was in France, We enjoyed the Texas Plus Advanced, and Challenge Convention, in Paris, TX, several dances in the Chicago area, and on to Heartland Jubilee, in the Cincy, OH area.

While in St Louis, we noticed this Halloween display. Sorta, reminds me of some of our riding friends!

This was some of the colors, we saw, while journeying to Ohio.

This was our ride, from Chicago, to Ohio! Actually, this was a Halloween display, we saw, while in Joliet, Il.

The highlight, of October, for me was getting re-acquainted with an 'Ol friend, that I had known, from the mid 50's. I had lost contact with Larry Geddie, in the early 70's. We met in Corsicana, for lunch, and had a great time! We rode south, to Corsicana, on our mighty steeds, where the weather was fantastic! It was such a pleasure, meeting Larry's wife, Susan! I look forward to more visits!

We are looking forward, to heading home, for the winter!

A Very Emotional Day!

As a lot of you know, Little D, and her Mom, have been visiting her sister, Danielle, who lives in France! I've been very busy, calling! Had a great trip, to St Louis, where I had several terrific dances! Thanks, to all the dancers, in St Louis, for making my trip, great! Today, I flew out to southern California, for a weekend, of Advance and Challenge dancing. My flight, out here was very un-eventful, for a change, until we reached Phoenix. At that point, we had the honor, of being on a flight, with a fallen soldier, being escorted home, with two family members, and honor guard of four soldiers! The fallen soldier, was an Army Ranger, from the 82nd Airborne division, KIA, in Afghanistan. I had the pleasure, or should I say, honor, of being seated, right behind the family, and Honor Guard. His Sargent, and I struck up a conversation, as I offered to buy all, an adult beverage. I learned from my conversation, the Ranger, and his Sargent, were part of an air assault unit. The Sargent, without going into details, said the Fallen Ranger, gave his life, protecting his unit, so they may survive! At this point, the Ranger SFC, was showing much emotion! This was one of the most somber flights, I've ever been on! Upon our arrival, at the Ontario airport, we were met on the tarmac, by two firetrucks. As we passed by, the two pumpers fired  a jet stream over the plane, forming an arc of water. I was told, as we entered the terminal, there was a rainbow over the plane!

The terminal, came to a halt! It was quite, an emotional site!

As I exited the aircraft, the flight attendant, allowed me to get the photo, below, as taken from the service door, of the aircraft.

As the Army Ranger was removed from the aircraft, the family was given a chance to welcome him home. You talk about choking up! Many veterans, including myself, stood at attention, and

saluted! I felt very proud, at that moment, to be an American!

His body was then escorted to the hearse, by his Sargent, and his Honor Guard. I would liked to have gotten a photo, of the flag draped coffin, but I felt holding the salute, was more important, at that time!

This photo, was taken, from the terminal, after he was placed in the hearse.

I can't find the words, to describe the feelings, and emotions, I was swept up in! I was reminded of the song: Angel Flight! We all felt part, of that, today! I don't know how these brave women, and men deal with all of these conflicts? I thought it bad, to have to serve, for one, or two tours of duty! These kids are serving tour after tour! The Honor guard, has served at least four tours, and the SFC Ranger, was on his sixth tour of duty! They're all, my heroes! All of   this makes me even more proud, of my son, SSGT Michael Lipscomb, U.S. Army Special Forces, serving, somewhere, in harms way!

This photo was taken, as Michael completed his Special Forces training.

And to think, this administration wants to, and is cutting our service men's benefits, thinks they're being paid too much, and wants them to furnish their own medical, and life insurance! Makes me sick to my stomach! I think it's time, we all stand up for what's right!

I didn't intend to get on a "soap box"! Enough said!
I am so proud, of my service, and those who served, with me! Even more, I'm proud of all these brave, young men, and women, serving, now! After experiencing this, today, I don't think I will ever be the same! It is a moving, experience!  I promise, my next post will be less emotional! Thanks, for your indulgence!

GREAT SEPTEMBER!

September, has been a terrific month, so far! Started as we left McCloud, and journeyed to Reno, for a couple of days of R&R!

We visited our, good, friends Dr Bill, and Sheri. Lot's of fun, fellowship, and great food!

Little D, ready for some water skiing!

Big D, grilling stuffed peppers, one of our favorite entrees!

This pic, is for Ron! A new grilled corn, recipe.

David, Dr Bill, Sheri, Heidi, and Decah, enjoying a terrific meal!

A view, of Hidden Lake, from Dr Bill & Sheri's upper deck.

A view, of the back of Dr. Bill & Sheri's new home, on Hidden Lake. A long way, from the Boat House!

Little D, and her mighty steed!

Upon, returning to Dallas, we spent an afternoon, strolling through downtown Dallas. The photos, below, are some interesting sites, in downtown.

The photo's, below, are a sneak peek, at the lantern exhibit, at the State Fair of Texas. After taking Decah to the airport, for her flight to France, I rode to the fairgrounds, and got a peek, at the latest exhibit. Really cool, Chinese lanterns!

After spending a week of calling, in the Austin, and San Antonio area, I made a detour, to Florence, TX, to pay a visit one of my Jr high, and high school coach's family farm! Unfortunately, Coach Maines, passed away, this past December! His wife, Dottye, also taught, in Mesquite, and she treated me to a terrific visit! 

We toured the farm, and had a great lunch, in Florence!

Below, is a photo, of an old barn, on the farm. I have always enjoyed old barns, and this one, really caught my attention!

Another view, of the old barn.

A bench, Dottye had made, in memory of Coach.

The Maines' farm house. This home, was built in 1907.

The farm land, actually, was purchased in 1882, by Coach Maines' grandfather! Coach, remodeled, and restored the home.

This is a 1972 Dodge Challenger, that Coach & Dottye, bought, new. It was restored, for their 50th anniversary! What a cool car!

I was honored, to drive the car to lunch, in Florence! What a sweet ride! I felt like a kid, out for his first drive!

Below, two classics, Dottye Maines, and Coach's 1996 Harley Davidson Bad Boy Springer! Two real beauies!

Really, cool ride!

I fired up this beauty, and was treated to a ride!

Another view, of the farm house!

Coach, and Dottye, June 4, 1960. 

How about that, Decah, and I share the same, anniversary date, only, a few years, later!

A recent, charcoal portrait, of Coach Maines.

What a great visit! Words, can't describe the feelings, and emotions, I felt! My ride to Dallas, was so much nicer, after spending the afternoon, with Dottye!

MORE FUN IN McCLOUD!

We finished our three great weeks at McCloud! Had a great time, with all the dancers! The fires in the area kept it pretty smoky, the last two weeks! Many days, we couldn't see Mt Shasta! One of the fires was only 10 miles, from us! We were never in any danger, but we did get tired of the smoke. On Friday, we spent the day taking in some local attractions. Friday morning, we visited a local couple, who just got fed up with all the city bustles, and moved to McCloud, and are living on the mountain, and pretty much living off the land!

The photo, below, was taken from our balcony, on one of the better days!

This photo, was taken across the street, from the dance hall, and our apartment. The fence is almost 7 feet tall, and you can see, the sunflower is almost 8 feet tall!

A close up, of the giant sunflower.

A sunflower, at Keith's home, in the mountains.

A close up of one of the sun flowers, at Keith's! Notice the bees, on the flower. That is why we visited Keith's, so John could show us the bees, he's teaching Keith to keep! 

Big D, showing some bees, as we opened one of the hives!

Keith, John, and Big D, inspecting, and tasting some of the honey comb!

These bees, were  very tame! They were all around us, and no one got a sting, even as we brushed through them, checking the queens!

A photo of Keith's garden. They grow enough veggies, to feed themselves, and sell some!

More bees!

Keith, showing us his new hive! Bees, are just getting started!

Inspecting the new hive's comb, and eggs!

We really enjoyed visiting Keith's homestead! Made Decah, and I both, want to move to the mountains, and live off the land! Bear, have really been a problem, this year, in the mountains! They have broken through the fence, to the bees, many times, this summer! 

We got a jar, of the fresh, sage honey, and it is terrific!

As we left Keith, John, and the bees, Little D and I made a trip to Burney Falls. It is a beautiful waterfalls, about 40 miles from McCloud. It is a glacier, and snow fed waterfalls. Yes, the water is cold! In fact, the average water temperature is 38 degrees

The cabin, below, is the original cabin, built by the family, that found, and explored the falls, in the late 1800's. It has been restored, obviously.

The first view, of the falls, as you enter the park! We had a picnic lunch, here, enjoying the scenery!

Another view, of the falls.

A close up, of the main falls!

The photos, below, are different views, as we hike around the falls, and down river.

D&D, as we hiked around the falls.

A view, about 1/2 way down the falls loop!

D&D, nearing the bottom of the falls!

A view, down river, from the falls. Notice, more water from an under ground stream.

D&D, at the base of the falls.

Little D, enjoying the cool, mist!

More water, from another under ground stream.

The trees, are huge, as you can see!

A ground squirrel, enjoying the afternoon!

A view, down stream.

A view, up stream.

D&D, crossing the stream, on the bridge, below.

Big D, posing, with the trees!

 On the far side, of the falls.

Little D, above the falls.

More views, as we continue around the falls!

Finally, where we started! A great hike!

The falls, and river feed into Britton Lake. The 3 photos, below, are different views, of the lake!

After a great day, at Burney Falls, Decah and I took a moonlight kayak trip, on McCloud Lake. It was really fun! Below, is a few pix, we took, before it got too dark.

Little D, in her Kayak.

Big D, his mighty ride!

 This the only,descent, photo, I got of the moon rising!

This is a photo, as we got south of McCloud, and out of all of the smoke. What a relief!

We really enjoyed our three weeks, in McCloud! It is one of D&D's favorite places! We're off to Reno, to spend a couple of days, just chillin', at our friends, Dr. Bill, and Sheri's. We're gonna have a ball, with Dr Bill, Sheri, David, and Heidi!