Everything’s Bigger in Texas

Posted on October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 by Dusty Roads

I promise…no bad Texas jokes. I mulled Texas over quite a bit before I decided it is going on the Yes Side of the ledger. Texas is such a big state that there’s no way to see everything and do everything in one vacation.

(Oh sorry, what was that about Texas jokes? )

I was in Dallas, Texas about 10 years ago. Back then I was selling Mary Kay Cosmetics and their home office is in Dallas so I was there for an annual Convention. I don’t remember exactly how many days I was in town but I think it was in August so it was hot! And when it’s hot, folks in Dallas disappear between 12-2 for a siesta! No one is on the streets.

I did get to see the “grassy knoll” and the “Book Depository” where Lee Harvey Oswald took the fatal shot that ended the life of President John F. Kennedy. The Sixth Floor Museum has a collection of photos and documents and news clippings from the time. The tour is a self guided tour with an audio tape, or it was at that time.

Of course if I was there for a Mary Kay convention then that was going to be the focus and it was quite impressive. We got to tour her offices on the 13th floor of the Mary Kay World Headquarters and we got to go to the Mary Kay museum. That made me think of seeing how flight attendants uniforms have changed over the years. There was a whole section of manikins dressed in the various Mary Kay uniforms from over the years.

So as you can see, I didn’t see very much of Texas. Next trip I want to see the Alamo. Founded near the San Antonio river in 1718, the Alamo became a symbol of Freedom for the nation and remains an iconic element of Texas independence.

While in San Antonio I want to explore the River Walk, a 3 mile, flagstone esplanade that winds amid tropical foliage along both sides of the San Antonio River.

Along the Mission Trail is Mission San Jose . Established in 1720, it is still an active parish and known as a photographer’s dream.

In Austin, located in Central Texas, we’d sample the Texas Barbecue. “They” say that Texas barbecue, especially central Texas barbecue, is so good that you don’t need barbecue sauce and some places don’t even bother to serve it! The very best barbecue is said to be around Austin. Texas Barbecue is usually beef but some pork can be located if one looks hard enough.

Oh dear, Running out of space again but we can revisit Texas another time. There’s rodeos to consider, vintage train rides and National Parks, space center Houston and mountains in West Texas. There’s even a “Birding Trail.” Yup it’s called the Great Texas Birding Trail and more than half of the recorded species of North America can be found along here. And we can’t forget that Texas has a Gulf Coast. So there’s much,much more to cover in Texas!

Score 17/26

Cracking the Bigfoot/Yeti Legend

Posted on October 20, 2013October 20, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Can it be true? Has science finally solved the legend of the Yeti?

A British scientist has told ABC news that he tested the DNA of hairs found in the Himalayas and it is a match to a prehistoric polar bear.

Bryan Sykes compared DNA from hair samples taken from two Himalayan animals — identified by local people as Yetis — to a database of animal genomes. He found they shared a genetic fingerprint with a polar bear jawbone found in the Norwegian Arctic that is at least 40,000 years old.

Sykes said Thursday that the tests showed the creatures were not related to modern Himalayan bears but were direct descendants of the prehistoric animal.

He said, “it may be a new species, it may be a hybrid” between polar bears and brown bears.

“The next thing is go there and find one.”

I guess the folks at “Finding Bigfoot” can relax and keep filming. The search will go on.

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In other news those sneaky felines are at it again.

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — A cat has been busted for smuggling pot into a prison in Moldova.

Guards became suspicious about the feline, which routinely entered and left the prison through a hole in a fence, when they noticed its odd collar. On closer inspection, they found two packets of marijuana attached to it.

The Department of Penitentiary Institutions said Friday that someone in the village of Pruncul was using the cat as a courier to supply inmates with dope at the local prison.

Whoever the human was, this wasn’t a first regarding cat couriers at lockups.

In June, guards caught a cat carrying cellphones and chargers taped to its belly to inmates in Penal Colony No. 1 near the city of Syktyvkar in northern Russia.

Hmmm That puts a new spin on cat burglars.

Pardon me boy, Is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

Posted on October 19, 2013October 19, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Words made famous in the Big Band era by Glen Miller, today trains have a pride of place in Chattanooga’s former Terminal Station.

You can even stay at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. And as long as you are in Chattanooga Tennessee, you need to cross the state border back into Georgia for a brief stop in Rock City. From the top of Lookout Mountain you have spectacular views of 7 states, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia . Walk the less- than -a-mile- long Enchanted Trail past ancient rock formations , a 90 ft. waterfall and the Swing-a-Long Bridge, a 180 foot-long suspension bridge that sways above the Chattanooga Valley

For Civil War history buffs, move on to Franklin, Tennessee where the focal point of the town Square is a monument to unnamed Civil War Soldiers. This is an area where the plantation system rose and fell so visit Carnton Plantation while you’re in the area.

Along the Tennessee and North Carolina border are the Great Smoky Mountains, 800 square miles of the southern Appalachians. Even the Grand Canyon is described as a distant second to the visual drama of the Smokies. This National Park is the most popular park in the country.

OK all you Elvis Fans, It’s one for the Money, Two for the show, 3 to get ready and 4 to go, go , go to Graceland Mansion, The King’s home from 1957 until he died 20 years later. While you’re in Memphis visit The Music Museums. Memphis is hailed as home to the blues, and birthplace of Rock and Roll. Celebrate not only Elvis but music greats like Muddy Waters, B.B. King and countless others.

The National Civil Rights Museum opened in 1991 in the Lorraine Building. Much of the exhibit features Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

In Nashville we can visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Belle Meads, the most well preserved of Tennessee’s plantations.

Also in Nashville is the official home of Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United states. President Jackson lived in Nashville from 1788 until his death in 1845.

For the amusement park fans, Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee but don’t call it an amusement park. According to Dolly Parton it’s a “family adventure”.

Horse lovers all know the Tennessee Walking Horse. Visit Shelbyville, Tennessee at the end of August to join the 11 day celebration of Tennessee’s own special horse breed.

The last bit that I have time to cover is the Tennessee Whisky Trail. W.C. Fields advised people to “Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite…and furthermore always carry a small snake.” Tennessee sipping whiskey is a blend of corn, rye, barley, yeast and water. In 1866 Jack Daniels Distillery opened in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Tours start in the visitor’s center, furnished with antique moonshine-making equipment and artifacts. Go in late October to combine your visit with the Barbecue Festival.

Gotta love guide books and brochures.:) Makes it sound like I’ve been there but no, sadly Tennessee is still on my bucket list. So the Visited and Unvisited now stand at 16/26

Mayor Stubbs

Posted on October 18, 2013October 18, 2013 by Dusty Roads

A sad moment indeed. It sounds like Mayor Stubbs is going to retire.

Hi Guys

I am still recovering slowly but he has been able to make my way out to the front of the shop and although not quiet my old self I am feeling a bit better today. I am still very stiff and hold close to LORI as i’m still a little jumpy around other animals and loud noises.
As you have read i don’t think i will return to public life in the same manor as before. I had a great run and a very exciting life as Mayor but its time for Talkeetna to find a new mayor. I only hope i have served them with as much love and respect as you all have shown for me.

I love you all —- meeow!