Trip Recap.....Happy Thanksgiving

I just arrived back home...just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

What a wonderful  and relaxing time I had the past 10 days or so..photography became secondary, hiking the trails and experiencing the magnificent sights and sounds of  B A Steinhagen Resevoir   was my main priority . It was a serene experience...and one I hope to return to.  The two camping grounds where totally different ..one was mainly in a "Slough" while Sandy Creek(CoE) was on the open Lake.  Enjoyed both immensely...Martin Dies State park was empty in the section I was in for the entire week...just the Vol Host...however  I was told that on the weekend it was be filled to capacity. I left Friday for Sandy Creek and stayed there until Monday... My spot was site 23 right on the "stickout" area...no neighbors to my left, just water and Cyprus Trees and a site on my right, but down a ways...noone in that site until Sunday evening ....

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

Though not my usual two plus months to the West, I did enjoy this trip and the location was just "what the Doctor ordered" ...For me I think Spring and Fall are probably the best times to be there...they do have birding activities...lots of canoes and kayaks, which you can also rent..I didn't go, as I forgot to bring my waterproof packs for the camera gear. There will be a next time.

Before I close out this post, I want to give a Congratulations to Jerry and Wanda of Eggrolling Blog... Their Granddaughter just got married...and what a great Tribute Jerry did...Check it out by clicking  EggRolling

(c)2017Horst Kelly photographer

I wish all of you  a very Happy Thanksgiving...and may this holiday week bring lots of Peace, Love and Joy with Friends and Family...and don't forget to invite a "Turkey"...Horst sends

Remember our troops that are not able to be with Family this year...

As They Say....Every Mile is a Memory Maker

Since my last post I have moved to a new Campground. I am now at Sandy Creek CG(CoE)..Another terrific place. I am right on the lake..I'll try download a  photo from my phone.With the Senior pass, its almost like they're paying you.  :)) A little overcast and a nice breeze...I'm here until Monday and then its time to start heading home...but what a great time so far...

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Yup there was a small hiccup..Car Battery went dead on me yesterday...first I thought it was the starter as I had no real warning that anything was wrong ..The camp staff and the Vol Host where super...Got a jump, went to Jasper to O'Reilly Auto Parts as they will do some diagnostic stuff...No other problems then the Battery...got a new one...hopefully not some short playing havic on the system...we shall see,  Other than that it been a great five days at State Park..Still was trying to slow down on the number of photo's I take...seems to be working..Though I did play around with my Medium Format Film camera a bit...can't wait to get that developed.

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

I'll continue doing some exploring in the area and relaxing...this CG will probably get filled up for the weekend...what I like about my site is one side does have a neighbor, the other side bumps up to the woods and the back is at the waters edge....I could get use to this life...Oh, I did travel into Louisiana the other day....didn't hit any towns, so I turned around and came back...I was hoping for some history "stuff"..found none...other than one Bridge on the River that is the state Line...I'll see if I can download the historical marker.

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

Again, I'll keep this short as not to play havic on my Tethering between phone and laptop...Have a Great weekend...and Happy Trails to ALL.Horst sends

(c)2017 Horst Kelly Photographer..and now its time for the "Sandman" to come put me to sleep

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photography

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photography
My Little Slice of Heaven

All Alone...just Me and The Gator.....I'm thinking that could turn into a Country Hit

What a great two days it has been. The weather is better than perfect, and the scenery is fantastic. There is alot to be said for the vast differences of Vistas in Texas. Had a Flatiron steak last night and its Salmon on the menu for this evening...No Moose Drool though....will the suffering ever end. haha

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer...Fall Reflection

Verizon cell is excellent and though they don't have working wifi, I am tethering to my phone and it seems to work pretty well, even downloading some photo's. Tomorrow I want to do some sightseeing..see whats around the area..the two towns close by are Jasper to the East and Livingston to the West.

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer...can you hear the Solitude

Will keep this short as not to cause too much havic to my downloading while teathering...don't want to experience another "Blue Screen" as was the case in Big Bend this past March....I leave you with a couple of photo's of the Area...Horst sends

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

Somewhere Between Peace and Tranquity

Its Sunday the 12th of November and I was determined to launch to Martin Dies St. Pk...I was so ready that my entire list of stuff was done Friday afternoon.  It gave me time to relax...and get antsy. This morning I got up at 0500, got all my personal stuff done, finished the little bit of hitching that was left, made coffee..chatted with the Bride...At 0600 we said out goodbyes(Hugs and kisses) and I was looking for the interstate. The drive was pretty boring..and Houston is Houston..arrived at the campground around one pm and they informed me check in was not until two...since I had a reservation I looked at the block of sites in my designated section, found one on the water and they allowed me to check in.... By 3pm the place was empty at least where I am...Ah, the solitude is deafening. :)) I called the bride then drove around to get the lay of the land.

(c)2017 Horst Kelly Photographer blurry do to little wind

I am staying at this campground until Friday and then meander over to Sandy Creek, which is a CoE CG and only a few minutes from here. That's my plan, whether I execute the plan depends on the weather and that all is well on the Home-front!

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

Its only 620pm but pitch black outside...no human activity...only crickets and a few "gators". To lazy to grill, had leftover chicken I had brought with me.  Life is better than good. Let me see if I can download a couple photo's I took..Verizon has great cell coverage and I am tethering my phone to the computer...I think its going to work pretty well...until next time....and please don't wake me up from this dream.  haha.. Happy Trails Folks.  Horst sends

Going to Find and Catch me "The Crack of Dawn, East Texas Style"

Its been awhile again....We went to Kansas City to Celebrate and "give away" our daughter. It was a magnificent event with a most beautiful lady....and her now husband a terrific person...It took her a long time to find Mister Right, but to me the wait was well worth it. Lots of smiles and tears ...but lots of Memory Makers....It was a wonderful evening of meeting new folks, seeing a daughter about the happiest in her life, which gives me a real warm feeling right between my heart and soul...Yet it was one of the most relaxed weddings I have been to...People had FUN!! ...and there's a lot to be said for fun!

Bride and Groom....thats all I get to share right now..this was part of their engagement photo's

Stayed in the area for a while so the Better Half and I could visit, relax  and spend some quality time with family and friends..FIL is still going strong at 93....We enjoyed ourselves, headed back and two days after our return both of us caught colds,  mean, ugly ones...not the Flu, just good old fashion colds...the kind that makes you drink Brandy.  :)) Just now getting over them. Plus I manged to break a toe....life is just too good to me.  :))

Now for the "Smiley traveling" news....I am going on a short camping/photo trip. ...and I am biting at the bit...really ready for the adventure. As some of you may remember when I got back from my abbreviated trip(Bride was in hospital) from out West last Fall, I had decided to forego a Fall Western  Trip for this year.  Instead planned to do some short ones around Texas...didn't get to do as I had planned, though I had a terrific trip to Big Bend this past March.

We are in Texas..had a camera for a change

This trip I wanted to see about getting some Fall Foliage somewhere in Texas. There are five good places in the State, so they say...and one of them is suppose to be Martin Dies State Park, which is East and a little north of here...have never camped in that area, so I'm looking forward to it..with a little luck the weather will be nice and there will be some Fall color...but if not, thats OK...I will be spending time with "Mother Nature"....and thats my priority! I also plan to spend a couple days camping a few short miles from there at Sandy Creek, a CoE campground...just to see what its like...both of the campgrounds are on the lake but is more of a forest, swampy area....

Early morning fog

I plan on hitting the road around the 12th of the month...this weekend I'll spend getting all the gear ready to go, getting Ms Casita all cleaned up and road ready and researching for those little known "gems" that are in most areas. It will be terrific just to sit and watch a sunset in the wilderness and the smell bacon and strong coffee as the sun peeks over the horizon..more to follow......Horst sends

BTW...How could I forget...A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the Houston Astros!!!!!