Living one shutter at a time
We visited Houston’s Museum of the Fine Arts on one of our first dates. Lauren the art history study explained the movements, styles, and techniques as I improvised monolog for the vast collection of inquisition paintings. Is there anything more entertaining and wholesome than a good inquisition or witch hunt. Religion as government, crusades, vast illiteracy, plagues, pestilence, famine……Ah the Dark Ages, those were the days.
Did you only visit the top 5 venues posted by the travel bureau? Standing in long lines like sheep unto the sheering questioning why you paid 25 dollars to take picture with a carny in a mascot costume. Upon packing did you regret buying the 3 foot tall souvenir cup, giant foam finger, or the themed hat with ears? Did you leave feeling like you missed something? Perhaps there’s a better way to vacation! Read more
Lost Maples State Park is a popular destination for landscape photographers and painters. Late October through early November, the shifting shades of reds and oranges form a collage of fall colors. A clear, cold stream twists and turns through the rocky riverbed. Brightly colored Maple leaves float as tiny boats drawn towards countless small waterfalls. Encompassed by rock-faced, rolling hills and endless sunsets Lost Maples is a nature-lovers playground only a two hour drive North West of San Antonio.
The accumulation of daily life and it’s endless demands tightens around me like a python squeezing joy from my soul. This is the first day in a week long Texas State Park trip. After only a few hours of climbing, photography, and hiking, my smile quickly returns.
Dark storm clouds churned and twisted through the valleys and canyons of Guadeloupe Mountain. Attempting to evade the storm, Ben pushed our rental car like Ricky Bobby setting up a “Shake and Bake.”From the passenger’s seat I foolishly ignited my jet-boil camp stove. Lauren, always “the loving wife” pointed out the absurdity of boiling water in a moving car. Yet in regards to coffee, I don’t concern myself with trivial details such as 2nd degree burns or carbon monoxide poisoning. Plus, I trusted Ben’s driving skill; that is until I realized he was videoing me with his phone while driving!
My first tandem jump at Skydive Spaceland Houston was an amazing experience. Yet, one quickly realizes tandem jumps are a “gateway drug.” What started as a bucket-list birthday tandem turns into a half-price second jump.
By 1am we settled into our hotel room. Gradually at first, but with gaining intensity came the snoring. What started as a few snorts grew into the gurgles and gasps of Darth Vader snorkeling. My eyes wide open and bloodshot, I glanced over at Lauren who was sound asleep. From the bed next to us one would assume Ben was “Gitmo style” waterboarding a chainsaw. Add to this the rhythmic hum of semi-truck tires (no offense El Paso), but at sunrise I was ready to go.
It’s been one of those weeks. Congratulations your the 1000’th angry customer, ticker tape falls from the ceiling, a marching band enters playing “Louie Louie”. Yep, I’m loosing it. Do you ever feel trapped in a day that won’t end? Kind of like the movie Groundhog Day; yet lacking the awesomeness of a groundhog designated driver?
Do you struggle trying to explain your love of the outdoors to friends and family? Do you feel them slipping away while answering questions regarding mileage, showers, and the always ominous “how do you poop in the woods?” At this moment, with a creepy look in your eye, whisper, “how do you poop on a toilet?” Come on people; it’s not like deviant bears are waiting for you to drop trou! Read more
Little Adventures 