POST 1493; ALPINE, TEXAS; 12-10-15

Our route today took us from DEL RIO to the town of ALPINE ... where we are once again putting our Blog update at PIZZA HUT.

We did see LAKE AMISTAD today, but alas, no RIO GRANDE RIVER.  We WILL see the River when we reach EL PASO in a day or two, as we have walked EL PASO four years ago.

We had a super treat today.  We visited the village of LANGTREE and the HOME and OFFICE of JUDGE ROY BEAN.

Please say HELLO to "CINCO", whom we met last night at the PIZZA HUT in DEL RIO.

Cinco was very helpful in reading the local maps and pointing out places where we could drive to visit the RIO GRANDE RIVER.  That side trip is nearly 300 miles.   Would also like to visit the ALAMO ... alas, our $12.00 daily BUDGET will not support either option.

It is going to be touch and go to stretch our $$ until January 03, 2016 Social Security Payday.

LAKE AMISTAD as we drive US 90 leaving DEL RIO.

... and another view of the Lake, taken from behind the steering wheel at 60 miles per hour.

Rail and vehicle bridges crossing over Lake Amistad.

US 90, heading West by North West.

Local SHERIFF pulled us over as I momentarily crossred the White Painted Line.  We had a good conversation about illegal immigrants and one funny encounter he had resulting in the illegals running away ... then swimming the river to the Mexican side where our Sheriff received the "Bird".

Images progressing around a curve clearly showing the "layer cake" effect of millions of evolutionary years.

... finishing with spectacular image ... very likely from sediment laid down during a CLIMATE CHANGE.  I can envision a deep water change over eons to achieve such a large (deep) change.

Now for our visit to the old West Town of LANGTREE and it's famous resident JUDGE ROY BEAN...the LAW West Of The PECOS RIVER.

Tourist Information Center, Langtree, Texas.

JUDGE BEAN's Home / Court House ... seen in the distance.

...and close up.

JUDGE BEAN's home is the half to our Right.

The Court Room occupies the half to our Left.

Old West Wind Mill ... to pump water from a hand-dug well.

As an aside, be it known that I participated in hand digging three separate water wells when I was a wee bairn.

The private home - one single room - of Judge Roy Bean.  The second room of his home was the infamous Court Room.

Following are images of Jydge BEAM's actual Court Room furnishings.

Oil Lamp on a small shelf next to the Bar.

View from one side through to the opposite side of the Court Room.

Wood Burning Pot Belly Stove.

Bench to provide Court Room Seating - in addition to the Table and 4 Chairs.

The BAR from which Western Justice was administration.

Judge BEAN's "other" business was his Saloon; the Bar doing double duty.

Click to enlarge.

Phicture of Lilly Langtree hangs above JUDGE BEAN's head.

World Famous LILLY LANGTREE...cherished by JUDGE BEAN.

Another aside:  I too had Lilly Langtree in my life.  Never met her personally, but she was present by a "stand in" twice a year for some 20 years of my life !

Can anyone identify this machine ?   It is prominently displayed on the Bar.

JUDGE BEAN's Courtroom.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

Say HELLO to SUSY, CURATOR of the museum.

LILLY LANGTREE>



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POST 1492; DEL RIO, TEXAS; 12-09-15

Walking, you say....

Yes, Highway 83 North is a fine safe road paralleling the RIO GRANDE RIVER, which we have driven for two days.  We have yet to actually SEE the river itself.  There are, of course Spur Roads leading to bridges crossing into Mexico.  Shame on me for not diverting SPIA to go take a peek.  Thought there would be some such roadway advertised for tourist benefit.

Well, NO, that is what I get for thinking.  Having reached the large modern city of DEL RIO, and still, no river to be seen.  There is a lake near by - AMISTAD RESERVOIR - .  Before leaving DEL RIO, promise we will go see it.

DEL RIO is home to LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE ... home, I understand to the ultra High Tech B-2 FLYING WING BOMBER.  Been looking skyward, but to no avail so far.  What a treat to see a B-2 flying over !

Lots of road construction  - new and maintenance.   Makes difficulties following the map because "new" roadways have a tendency to swallow the original roads ... often incorporating them into "Interstate" which, of course, - unlike the states of IDAHO, MONTANA, WYOMING, and NORTH DAKOTA - prohibit Walkers on their precious Freeways.  The unnamed states have yet to discover - as have the named states ...THE SAFEST PLACE FOR WALKERS - and the vehicles - IS ON THE INTERSTATE Roadways !!!

....and now, for a few photographs of the out back roadways and towns big and little of this great State Of TEXAS...

Yes, we are passing through dense smoke from a fire in the desert ... mostly scrub brush and short trees.

Stopped at this gas station out in the desert.  There were no prices available until I had PAID $25.00 IN ADVANCE...cost was $2.65 per gallon of which SPIA drank 8 gallons. Station clerk promised the excess $$ I paid with my Credit Card would be automatically deposited back into my bank account.
OK, I trusted that business until discovering gas sold for $1.69 in the next town.

NO, no names.  Shame on me for being trusting.

Across America I have enjoyed at least 200 PIZZA HUTS to stop, have a small bite, perhaps park overnight (or put up SAM's Tent), AND create our Blog for the day.

We are at PIZZA HUT tonight in the city of DEL RIO...where once again, my $$ is no good !  Thank You ... Thank You !

My pictures explain our Day today ... a day on TEXAS Highway 83  ... far better than my words.

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300 miles across endless desert from DEL RIO to EL PASO.  Surely, must stop out there someplace tomorrow night.

...Once again, "Tomorrow is Another Day"   from GONE WITH THE WIND !

POST 1491; LAREDO, TEXAS; 12-08-15

One Hundred miles on Highway 83 took us out of the crush from the BROWNSVILLE Metropolitan Area; the next fifty miles brought us to an area of somewhat basic living ... both as to basic living and commercial activity. 

That is, the finer points of the upscale crowded mega city of Brownsville was left behind.  Not knowing better, one would NOT accept that we are still in America; everything looks and sounds as though we are suddenly plunked down in central Mexico.  Not much paint to be found.  Dust seems to be every where.  Not a word of ENGLISH to be heard.

Then, we are presented with the sparkling lovely City of Zapata.

One more hour on Highway brings us to the City of LAREDO, Texas, where we will once again be hosted by WALLMART.

Please say HELLO to OLGA JARMEZ and MARIBEL TREVINO, presenting the benefits of Jehovah's Witness.  Pretty girls DO attract and demand certain moments of attention.

AS THEY WALKED AWAY, i spilled my MC DONALD's drink in my lap, on my computer, and resulted in two extra hours to re do a ruined Blog Update.  Yes, had to start over from scratch !

Election Day is near ... witness the many advertising signs.

Our first look at MEXICO ... a bit over thata way.  Somewhere beyond those trees lies the RIO GRANDE RIVER, which is the international border we share with MEXICO.

Some roadway images never more than one mile from MEXICO Border.

WE approach the City Of ZAPATA, which presents our first glimpse of the waters of the RIO GRANDE RIVER.  This is actually FALCON LAKE formed by FALCON DAM located at the Mexican Town of NUEVA CIUDAD.

PIZZA HUT is a welcome sight. 

Another section of Lake Falcon waters reaching into the city of ZAPATA, Texas.

Another view of the charming City Park encompassing the lake.

Spot where I parked SPIA and did a bit of walking.

More of the City Park.

The local Golf Course is an extension oh the Park.  The water actually flows through the Golf Course to reach the RIO GRANDE RIVER a short distance away.

Another sign suggests NO SWIMMING !

Please say HELLO to TINO FLORES and NACHO SANCHEZ, whom I met at the Golf Course.  Both of these expert golfers - would you believe both golf with a handicap of TWO (2) - are in their 80s.

View of the Golf Course.

City Park dedication to a youngster who recently passed away.

Part of the dedication depicting an elegant horse.

SPIA parked overlooking the City Park Lake.

Highway leaving ZAPATA, heading for LAREDO, Texas,

ZAPATA Water Tower.

Sidewalk Market.

Local Cactus. 


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Is now 5:00 PM local time.  Started this update at 11:00 AM. 

Had many photographs to evaluate,
...choose images for the story line,
...edit the chosen images,
 ...post the images,

THEN, Re Do the entire thing ... (lucky did not ruin the computer from the spilled drink)

...and finally, find the words to accompany each photograph. 

Will be dark within the hour.  Must drive back to WALLMART and get settled in !

In the morning, will drive (walk ?)  in the City of LAREDO, hopefully find some good sights to photograph, and drive North to CARRIZO SPRINGS, EAGLE PASS, and DEL RIO (for the night ?).

POST 1490; MC ALLEN, TEXAS; 12-07-15

The best laid plans ... etc.

A look at the MAP below reveals two truths:

1.  Route 77 (RED Vertical Line) is essentially the ONLY route near the Gulf Of Mexico heading South to the City of BROWNSVILLE, Texas; and.

2.  The BROWNSVILLE area (Southern TIP of Texas) is VERY CONGESTED .

We drove Route 77 to within one block of the Mexican Border only to find massive traffic.  We finally gave up searching a place to take pictures; returned North on Route 77 to Interstate 2 at the town of HARLINGEN.  We turned onto Interstate 2, Stopping at Mc Donalds in the City of McAllen, where we are preparing this Post Update.

In a few moments, will race back to the WALLMART we passed a mile or so back, where we will park for the night.

Sea Wall Dike protecting the City Of Corpus Christi.

The land for 100 miles diameter between Corpus Christi ans Brownsville is FLAT Farming Land with a black loamy soil.

Did NO walking today.

Spent considerable time finding our way.

This corner of America is deceptively CROWDED.  Roadways are filled FULL.  Roadsides are as a continuous MALL.

Warm it is; Am surprised to find such crowded places.

Glad we have visited, but too helter skelter for me.

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Hate to cut this short, but it is nearly dark.  My effort is to be settled for the night before Sunset.

"Tomorrow Is Another Day..." as noted in GONE WITH THE WIND ...