Papa Walt

Bandera Ranch

2008-12-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

April 2008, we started building 12 at Bandera Ranch, an exclusive student housing project near Baylor. I have now been working on the project for two and a half years and have really enjoyed the challenges of building a large project such as this.

This is the first floor of a three story building that will contain some very nice apartments that have custom cabinets with granite tops in the kitchen and marble tops in the baths. All the units are fully furnished and include use of the pool and commons area that includes a volley ball court, putting green as well as a fitness center. Far cry from the housing we knew as students!

Dinosaur Tracks

2008-12-08T01:26:00.001-08:00

Glen Rose has a very nice State Park and you can wonder around in the river and see these tracks at several locations. Quite amazing to be walking in the same path as creatures form many years ago. I remember taking my kids here when they were little and letting them play in the river and enjoy the discovery of dinosaur tracks, just like their mother was teaching them about during school days.

No this is not a dinosaur in the river, its Tatyana looking at tracks while wading in the river and even though she is very rare she is not yet a fossil. This is a great family place and usually not to crowded in the early spring because the water is still cold.

This Red Tailed Hawk was on display by a man who takes injured birds

and rehabilitates them to be released into the wild. This hawk was

taken in as a baby, bonded with him and he has now had her

about 15 years. She is very gentle and tame letting adults and

children touch and pet her pretty much all over. This show is a regular at the park and you simply call the gate for scheduled times.

Take your family and have a great day at this park!

Duck Hunting and NASCAR

2008-10-22T16:15:00.001-07:00

Your probably asking what do duck hunting and NASCAR have in common? Well the only thing I know of is McCoy's Lumber, who was kind enough this year to take a group of us to Ark in Feb. for a two day duck hunt and then to Carrolton for the NASCAR race in April. Being taken on a guided duck hunt, staying in a first class lodge and being fed the most awesome food was great, especially since it was free. In addition to hunting, teams of two were formed and then those 14 teams competed in a skeet shoot and a live dove shoot. A dove shoot is where they have an enclosed area about 150 feet in diameter with six boxes on the ground in a row and the boxes open in a random order releasing two dove from each one, the shooters are required to shoot the dove prior to them clearing the ring. Score was simply kept by total number of birds hit during the six rounds. Didn't win, didn't come in last but had a blast!

NASCAR was a definite first and will certainly not be the last trip to the races. Yes the crowds and cars were loud but it was very entertaining watching both. Not ready to decorate a room in my favorite NASCAR team colors, adorn my truck with a # 3 or any other such rabid fan antics anytime soon, but had a great time at the races and appreciated McCoy's providing the opportunity.

Turning 56

2008-10-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

I finally passed the midway mark of my fifties (03-15-52) and celebrated with a party at the house that was mostly family with a few friends included. I still struggle with having people call me Mr. Strickland, because I don't perceive myself as older and it really shocks me when my age is referenced as old, plus Mr. Strickland(my dad) is still alive! I guess the fact that I have now had a solid white head since my forties, have been receiving unsolicited senior discounts since my mid forties, and maybe the fact that Tricia delighted in telling new teachers that I was her granddad (when I was 40) all combined to make me less aware of aging. I really think aging has more to do with an attitude and heart than a calender.

I must confess that I don't feel older and am not sure that I have slowed down much, but it sure seems to take longer to get everything done. Looking forward to being around another 40 years, the Lord willing!

More Skiing Late February

2008-10-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Yes it is a tough life to return from Cozemul and have to go back to Pagosa to ski again, but I made the sacrifice and actually had a good time. Lots of snow and very few people make for great trips down the mountain, throw in some fresh powder almost every day and have fun.

Only down side was having to clean snow off the roof. As you can see it is over two feet thick and more like ice than snow. We ended up having a large chunk fall from the second story and knock a hole in the garage roof.

Lots of work but a nightly trip to the Springs makes up for it.

New World Record

2008-10-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well so much for records, this is now my fifth blog of the afternoon. What about that Tricia Doda, blogger queen, and I am just a blogging rookie!

Actually this is fun and here is a preview of things to come;

Teeth, more skiing, California, camping, Glen Rose, Bandera Ranch, birthdays and much much more as life goes on.

Five Tricia, Five!!!!!!!!

More about Cozumel

2008-10-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

One is not allowed to dive 24 hours prior to flying, so Sunday afternoons are spent touring the island on these scooters. They happen to be the main mode of transportation for most, including families. Many times you will see a badly overloaded scooter trucking along with dad driving, mom on the back and a child or two in between or in front of each adult. Of course no one is wearing a helmut!

We usually take the scooters and follow the one road that goes completely around the island. On a tour you will see a wide variety of architecture, ranging from old to modern to Inca ruins.

Here is a view looking South from the back side

of the island. Most of the back has no water

or electricity and yet has some beautiful beaches.

Most Sunday afternoons they are filled with families grilling, playing or just hanging out. They have a very peaceful lifestyle and I have never seen any signs of drunkenness or poor behavior on the family beaches. (of course a truck full of armed soldiers driving up and down the beach road may help this)

Cozumel is utterly dependent on the mainland for all building materials, groceries and even electricity. There is a large cable running on the ocean bottom from Playa de Carman that provides the juice for the island.

Diving in Cozumel

2008-10-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

One of the best places to be in the winter is Cozumel, Mexico diving the blue water. During the month of February is a time called "Carnival" weekend that a group of us usually travel to for a long diving weekend. Don't get the wrong idea about the term Carnival, this is a very family inclusive event that has parades, parties on the town square and lots of just clean fun. As usual the diving is some of the best anywhere in the World, with very calm slow moving currants that carry you along under water at about a fast walking pace, allowing you to just look at God's beautiful creation and creatures with out the effort of swimming. I am always amazed at the colors of all the fish, coral and sea animals that I never get tired of seeing. Pictures in books while awesome and informative, do not do justice to the views one has when you are there almost touching the various objects.

I look forward to taking Addison and Jackson diving someday, they can start at eight-ten years old! Maybe by then even the EX dare devil will join us.

I am not a beer drinker but enjoy taking pictures of signs as I travel. This supposedly is an actual quote of old Ben, he obviously wasn't Baptist.

Ski Trip to Wolf Creek

2008-10-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

The year started with a trip to Pagosa Springs, CO for snowboarding at Wolf Creek. I am limited in exposure, having only been to 7-8 locations to ski, yet I can say of the places I have been, Wolf Creek Pass is absolutely the best hands down. Having a place to stay helps!

I started Boarding at age 50 and can honestly say that while I love it, I would never recommend learning at that age. Fortunately I survived the three year, yes three years, learning curve and actually can board fairly well, with many trips these days not having a fall, much less being beat up and bruised. As some can attest to this has not always been the case, with the early learning years including concussions, dislocations, many severe bruises and lots of magnificent falls. It has been worth it and I look forward to many more years of boarding that will include trips with my kids and the GKs of course.

FYI the icicle you see here is almost 20 feet long and would be deadly if it fell on someone.

An Historical First Post

2008-10-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well here I am entering into the 22 century and making an attempt to blog, the standard has been set very high as I attempt to use Tricia's blogging as a benchmark. Actually this is a good thing because I never will come close to being as entertaining as she is and so the pressure is off.

I am very excited and am going to try to start with the year 2008 and provide pics and history of the events that have occurred to date. Hang in there and enjoy the ride!