Down Days Of Summer...To Hot to sweat

I could say my computer turned blue, or my internet provider was doing maintenance, or maybe I had one of Barney's Migraine headaches...but the truth is I was toooooo lazy to post yesterday.....

 

We last where doing the African Safari...On Tuesday the weather was going to get hotter...so outdoor activities had to take a back seat...even going to Splash-Town was not going to work....I found what I thought might be a "Whitte Museum" type activity...its a Texas State University sponsored activity...glass bottom boat tours on Spring Lake in San Marcos, Texas...about a 45 minute drive from here....

The Boys and the Tour

We left around 0945 and had a leisurely drive...arrived, checked in and paid our fees...had some time to spare ...so we ventured in there Aquarium Exhibit...not very large...5000 gallon tank with native and endangered species, plus a turtle tank with 5 different species...in addition, interactive video displays.

The Aquarium

Around 1050 we headed over to the Boat area and boarded ....the tour is about 30 minutes long and the guide was a student at the University...very knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic... he provided an excellent history lesson of the  area along with how the lake gets it clarity and its water ....Below is a three minute utube that does a good job on explaining its history...worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY82gynkrtU

When we finished the tour we looked around a bit and after about a 2 hour adventure we started back home...the Boys where getting hungry...they saw a Burger King and we stopped ate and where refreshed for the rest of the trip home....



3 Amigos IHOP Breakfast

The rest of the day was kinda "boring"....math project, picking up toy causalities, dinner, Skype and getting ready for the "sandman" to come calling....

Wednesday morning was Opi's   haircut appointment(0730)....Bride had Doctors appointment, so I took the Boys...and we then had an IHOP mini adventure.....that lasted an hour....came home turned around to pick up the auto tags, did some shopping...looking for some "Cowboy" hats....home for lunch....and then some laid back relaxing and math, dinner and Skype....Kids now are couch camping with their couch tents....maybe a camping night without the campfire ....or smores....

Couch camping with their "Linus Blankets" they brought from Home

The tentative game plan for tomorrow is the Johnson Space Center....long drive, then 3 to 5 hours at the Center and long drive home...leave around 0700 get back between 8-9 pm....if not tomorrow then Friday for sure...That's all folks....'till next time...Horst sends

Wildlife Ranch...African Safari........Texas Style

As I had indicated in the last post...Sunday would be a down day, and it was. I got up about 0530, the Boys where still asleep...did a seven mile walk, came back...Omi fixed some vittles and boys where playing their computer games.

It was time to tackle the inside of the camper...I thought of calling the Fire department and have them come over to hose the inside down (lol)...The Gsons assisted....somewhat(ha ha)...after an hour I got everything out so I could vacuum, dust, wipe and spritz...and things where looking pretty good..it was getting hot, so I decided to wait for the outside washing...

Went to Target and got some stuff and the rest of the day was a non-event.

Its Monday morning...by 0830 I had  my walk out of the way, showered and the Boys where "biting at the bit" for a new adventure....the decision...Wildlife Ranch..African Safari...it was a straight shot from La Vernia Texas to the Serengeti...I knew a short cut..lol...



(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

It is not a Zoo..Its a 4 mile drive through a scenic ranchland for up-close experiences with over 500 animals from 40 exotic, native and threatened species. You observe...and interact with animals roaming freely...Most of the animals will approach your vehicle....including the Zebras..



(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

 

We started our Safari about 0845, got to the Ranch about 0915...we took our time and took about an hour and a half to cover the self guided tour...the Boys really enjoyed it as they had their windows down and feed as many animals as they could....#2 Gson clicked off more photos than I....the Zebras could be aggressive so we had to be careful.....we saw everything from a Kudo to a Watusi...and about every native African, Australian, European, South American, and American Species known...it was a fun tour...

(c) Horst Kelly photographer

When we got back to the entrance, we went to the petting zoo...probably the thing they enjoyed the most.....spent another 45 minutes or so there and then decided to go back to the Green Acres arcade so they could increase there points and get the prize they both wanted...we did, they did...and we arrived back come about 1330 hours...which included a stop at What-a-Burger for lunch....

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

Got back, did our math projects and the rest of the afternoon was winding down and playing computer games....supper, Skype, and watching movies...and then the Sandman cometh...

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

Not sure what tomorrow will bring....so we'll all be surprised...Happy Trails...Horst sends

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

Green Acres....Here We Come

The Boys have been wanting an Arcade Day since forever.....so today was that day. About 10 miles from here is a place called Green Acres...it has Miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages,  trampolines, paint ball arena, etc. and an arcade with every game ever invented.....The deal I made is they could chose one outdoor activity and the Arcade.....each would get a roll of quarters to turn in for tokens and when they ran out ...then we would also....that way I thought I wouldn't be nickeled and dimed to death for the next six hours....Paint ball was a non starter since the minimum age was 10...when all the negotiating between the two of them was done it ended up being
 go-karts and the arcade.....

I'll putt it through his legs

We had the same old problem...#2 Gson ...we had a game plan that we would say he was 9...so he could drive the kart himself...well they threw us a curve ball...unlike Florida that had an age limit...Texas has a height minimum....and the Boy was a couple inches short...so old Opi had to be the driver.......Again....

Ready, Set,  Goooooo...and we where off...my plan is to stay behind #1 Gson to make sure all is going well.....the only problem with that is he keeps looking back to see how close I am and if I'm going to pass....though I had told him I would not pass....sure enough...he's looking back as he's going into a tight turn and "BAM".....he hits the wall of tires, spins around and lucky for him, ends up facing the correct direction....I have a short "pit stop" talk with him and the rest of the run turns out fine.....

Opi's going to eat my dust

We're going win....

Next it was off to the Arcade..each got their 10 dollars worth of tokens and I sat and relaxed...can't understand why they don't serve "Beer".........lol.....next thing I see is #2 Gson jumping up and down and some sort of tickets spewing from the game he is playing.....seems he won a jackpot...about an hour later they run out of tokens, but have what seems like a thousand tickets....they put those in a machine and out pops a piece of paper with points....which you can use to obtain some sort of trinket....the Boys have a plan...Opi, can we come back again so we can increase our points and get better prizes...how can you refuse logic like that.....

Tomorrow is a down day...though I am going to clean and wash Ms Casita.....and do some other stuff around the house...before noon....if anything exciting happens I'll post a blog.....if not, the next adventure is Monday...

Life is GREAT

Now lets go back to first light this morning...we where all up by 0600, I'm getting ready for my walk, The Bride is brewing coffee , and the boys are using the bathroom....all of a sudden #2 Gson comes screaming across the entire length of the house, yelling Opi come look....a scorpion. Sure enough one was in the bathroom....
 Not had one in several years...but its South Texas and sometimes they sneak in when you open a door...especially if there is a drought and they are looking for water...well those "Two City Slicker Boys" are in a panic mode, especially since they read about the ferocious New Mexico/Arizona scorpions....I try to explain the difference...we see how that plays out tonight when they go to bed....I may be taking them back early..lol...Happy Trails

I won the Jackpot

Witte Museum, Dinoaurs, rock climbing, extreme Biking and more...

Jurassic Park recreated in San Antonio





 

Instead of a long editorial of todays events, lets say we changed directions and went to The Witte Museum...and what a great decision that was...a multi museum for children..instead of a history lesson here is the website
for you viewing pleasure...Witte Museum....

The Boys had a grand 3 hours of fun and discovery...the rest of todays Blog will be a sampling of photo's...thanks for stopping by..remember if you click on the photo it will enlarge....

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer



(c) Horst Kelly photographer

Indiana Jones Boys looking for Fossils



 

 

 

I can do This...

I think this is doeable

 

 

Mt. Everest is Next
 

Across the Canyon on a Bike

So There you have a sampling of todays activities....

By Texas law, I'm now entitled to a Margarita...till tomorrow, have a great evening.....Safe Journey...Horst 

An Unscheduled Hiccup...But Its Now Full steam Ahead...

Haven't Blogged in a couple days as we had a couple "Hiccups".....but things are better....the Boys where terrific through it....I commend their patience....

San Antonio Zoo....

Today(Thursday, 25 July) we went to the San Antonio Zoo....left about 0830...by 0900 we where going through the gate, got a map and #1 Gson became the "Navigator"...though the Pilot, that being me, could change the course at my discretion.

On Safari  

We started our adventure at the reptile house, aquarium, Komodo display, One of #2 Gsons favorites...then it was off to African section...Elephants, Zebra's, Lions, Tigers, etc...Lion and Tigers where not in site... problem was it was getting mid morning when most of them take a "nap"...

Off to the Australian Aviary and Lory Landing.....great bird's, 'Crocks and the like...walked through the Hixon Bird house...in between we saw cranes, condors, bats, turtles, tiger salamanders, and "Toadalley"...

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

(c) Horst Kelly photographer

(c) Horst Kelly Photographer

(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

3 plus hours and it was starting to get hot for the Boys...did not see the two headed turtle, eagles and the lions, tigers.....maybe next time they will be out and about...I think it was a hit....we came back for a late lunch...homemade pizza...did their math project and it was play time for the rest of the afternoon.

They made a request for "hamburger helper"...bride made that, corn on the cob and biscuits....they did not have the Shiner beer(for daughters and SIL's benefit)...Skype, down time and dreamland...tomorrow another adventure...The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum.....and maybe the Witte Museum (if not tomorrow than Monday)...next week we plan to go to Houston and see the Johnson Space Cnter, Splash Town, The Caverns, Safari land,...and whatever else we can fit in...


Until the next time...Happy Trails...Opi sends

 

The Alamo and More

It is now Monday...my wakeup call came about 0530, the Mockingbird at our bedroom window was in a very happy mood....when my Mockingbird is happy , I am happy...

Future photographers

By 0615 I was outside starting my walk... 6 and 1/2 miles later I was back home, the kids where up...Omi had fixed the Boys  breakfast.....I took a shower..had some breakfast and about 0900 we took off for their first Texas Adventure...The Alamo, Boat Ride on the River Walk...avoid the "trinket" shops...maybe a ice cream and other stuff...

Got to the Alamo 'bout 1000 hours...it was already over flowing with tourists...and now they have added the "Disney Land" stuff..take your picture that you can get later, etc...I haven't been there in about 4 years and the commercialization that has taken over,  takes away from the meaning of what the Alamo represents to the history of Texas and the United States ....having said that the Boys enjoyed the various displays inside...they asked numerous questions...and as luck would have it, I was able to answer all of them...Bottom line the Alamo was a "Hit"....for those that haven't been there, no photos ops inside...and please take your hat off...

Next was floating down the River at the "River Walk"....its about a 45 minute ride that takes the entire Riverwalk area...I think the Gboys enjoyed this the most...it was a great way to learn the history of the City....Kids took a bunch of photo's....

 

Next was a ice cream break....one had Chocolate cone...the other a dough something ice cream...then it was off to the "Side Show" of Guinness World records....another half hour of "wow...I didn't know that"...by the time we where finished it was getting hot and they where ready to go back to the Homestead...and relax and play some games....the afternoon  and early evening where down time and relaxation..a debate and the Skype...somewhere in there was chicken strips and sides...home made..and now its Dreamland time...tomorrow is not planned yet...we'll surprise ourselves...till then...safe Journey's to all...Horst sends