Pickin' and Grinnin'

Soon after we arrived here in Johnson City, another volunteer couple invited us to accompany them to a local establishment for the regular Sunday night "jam session." As it turned out, this was the BIG entertainment center of JC.
These are our friends, Kay and Gene Schmidt of Kansas.

 

Well...this is "where it's happening" in Johnson City, TX.

 

Of course, good music and good beer go together. In a few cases...beer and bad music is also a good thing!

Here are some of the musicians who have entertained us:

This lady is the organist at the UM church. I wonder if she whips up the crowd there too.

 

This guy's accordion looks exactly like the one I learned to play when I was about 5 years old.

 

This was the only time we ever saw this fellow. Possibly the first he's been out of the house since winter ended?

That's all for now. 

 

It's Blue Bonnet Time!

A few weeks ago, the annual trail ride came through the LBJ Ranch. Larry was on hand to take these pics.

 

LBJ 100 Bike Tour

Saturday was the LBJ metric century ride at the LBJ Ranch. Distances of 10, 30 & 42 miles were also included. Something for everyone.
Larry and I arrived at 6:15 AM and found our way to the starting area. Even as it became light, it was cloudy with a cold wind blowing. Everyone had dressed for the predicted 90 degree afternoon temps. I prayed the sun would burn through the mist soon.
Larry is joined by Charlotte and rangers Jon and Cindy waiting for our assignments.

The sun was finally rising as we saw the first wave of cars arriving.

Soon, even LBJ arrived! The man on the right is the Superintendent of LYJO, Russ Whitlock.

 

 The ride started at 9 AM with "LBJ" leading the 1,200 riders down the road past the "Texas White House."

 He was followed by a group of "Wounded Warriors" from the veterans' rehab facility in San Antonio.

They were followed by an assortment of riders, family groups, bike club members, a group of riders from the University of Texas and their favorite alumnus, Luci Baines Johnson.

Larry and I spent most of the day directing traffic at various intersections around the ranch. The clear sky and 90 degree temps certainly made our time "toasty."
The majority of riders returned to the starting line by 1:30 to a lunch of grilled sausage sandwiches and ice-cold beer. Luci joined the UT riders at the finish line to share a group performance of the UT fight song.

These students are actually a part of the Texas 4000 group who are riding 4000 miles to raise money for cancer research.
More info at TEXAS4000.org. 

 

At 2:30, about 100 riders joined Luci for a riding tour of her childhood home. Stops were made at various points around the ranch including in front of the house and at the Johnson family cemetery where her parents rest side by side.

The ranger holding the speaker is Alex. He just turned 30 last week. The tough looking guy in the background is former Marine, Patrick Pelarski...Ski to us. He is a real character and not as tough as he looks. Ski was the ranger in charge of the event. I think he is very happy to have another LBJ 100 OVER! Larry did an excellent job cleaning and prepping the park's bikes for the rangers!

Luci's talk (and talk and talk) was an interesting look into the life of this presidential family.

Desert Scenes

Another landscape from Big Bend NP.

 

Rio Grande area

 

Items for sale by Mexican artisans.

 

A huge temperature difference between the mountains and desert.

 

Are we there yet, Larry?

 

 

These are evaporations pools for the local sewage.... Interesting....

 We met a "friend" by the river. No, this is NOT a kitty cat. This shot was with a 300mm lens...from a safe distance.

We had to go on a hike about 30 miles from our "home" to make this encounter just a few days ago. Actually, I was two steps away from stepping on it. He/she was kind enough to say "Look out, stupid!"(rattle, rattle)  Good thing!