A few thoughts on Texas!

[Jerry]

Some thoughts on Texas

It is a great state indeed, but you knew that!  Did you know one can carry a firearm if licensed?
We saw no graffiti, not even in the 2 big cities we were in.  No idea why. But it sure is good.  In LA every freeway overpass seems to be tormented with this crap.  We even have folks here who call it “art” and say these people are merely expressing themselves!  I did have a letter in the LA Times suggesting the professor who said that publish his address since he likes it so.

The People:
So friendly and warm.  I am talking about strangers.  Our friends who we knew, but never met, were, of course.
South Texas has a similar climate to So Cal, but humidity as well.  Many of the same plants thrive.  Plants like humidity!  I worried that some of my Agave’s get to much water (sprinklers) they get plenty of rain in S. Texas and they do fine.
Places:
I found San Antonio to be a very livable city.  Much to do there.  Real Estate is a lot lower than Cal.
Only saw a bit of Houston, but it looked good also.
Loved Corpus and Aransas Pass.  High humidity as well as Hurricanes.
Every place has its drawbacks.   At least they have no earthquakes.
This area has the longest stretch of undeveloped coast in the USA!  If it were California it would be fenced and it would cost $5.00 to park.
I would be kayaking , and fishing as well as beach combing.
Let’s hope the recent oil disaster does not despoil the beaches.
One can buy a nice home on a canal with your own dock in Port Aransas for very low cost when compared to California.

We all put down roots. The longer you live in an area the deeper those roots go.  I don’t think we are moving.

My favorite sign in Texas is:  “No loaded firearms allowed if not licensed.”
This appears on many bars and restaurants.  Too bad loaded weapons were not permitted at Fort Hood!  A lot less killing would have been done.

The only negative to the trip was the “Schlepping!” a lot of that for sure. A 7 day trip is really a lot less. Two in transit and another just getting to another destination.  So 4 days hardly makes me an expert.
Hotels, rental cars, planes, it does get wearisome.
In this day and age one needs a hotel with a printer as well as a computer to print out boarding passes.  Southwest Airlines is good, but this can be a burden.
Thanks to our friends in Texas for making this such a fine adventure.
We look forward to reciprocating!

[HOWELL]

I love the fact that everything in texas is so clean and all the overpasses as jerry said has no graffiti I hate graffiti..Someone can express themselves withouth changing something...that drastically.
Graffiti painters don't mess with texas...
Jerry you still need to visit dallas...
And as far as I know graffiti is not self expression I consider it vandalism....

[Jerry]

A mural on your own property or in an appropriate place is fine.  Diego Rivera was the best.
Yep to Dallas, but just not enough time.  I heard great things about Austin too.

[HOWELL]

A mural on your own property or in an appropriate place is fine.  Diego Rivera was the best.
Yep to Dallas, but just not enough time.  I heard great things about Austin too.

.      And I do hate that a lot of people write stuff on privae fences same down here... Diego rivera was awesome

[Mikey]

I never met a Texan I didn't like.....   

Traveling can be wearisome.  We were gone about the same time as you Jerry but went to North Carolina for a family reunion.  The fetching one does a great job booking flights, hotels & car rentals.  The key is to ask a lot of questions to ensure you are getting what you want.  On our arrival back home at John Wayne I learned that American Airlines was having a bad day.....  They lost my luggage as well as the luggage for about 8 other people on the same flight.  When we got back home there was a message on our answering machine from American Airline folks down in San Antonio saying they had my luggage and they wanted to know where I wanted it sent.  I got it delivered at home late the following night..... 

[Jerry]

You said it mike.
I have a friend who's son was stationed in Italy.  They took a week off to visit him in Naples.
A week won't do it.  They said they would never travel again.

[Sunbeam56]

Awwww, well, those signs about loaded firearms are more like guidelines....
A lot of folks aren't licensed, are carrying, but just aren't displaying...

Besides, in a bar fight, a knife is just as good. 

Dunno about the graffitti... its true it isn't a plague down here. But every train has its artists. Also, the hot check writers regularly get a good dose of elbow grease and are used to remove graffitti - public service requirement of their sentence.

Diego Rivera was a fabulous muralist. Too bad he was so political. I hate it that the Rockefellers had him complete a masterpiece and then destroyed it. But that was one of his passions, so you would have to expect it in his art.

I love travelling. But I tend to return to places I have already been... hint-hint... because you can see so much more on return visits. 

[Jerry]

You look fine Savannah!
I am sure graffitti exists there, but it sure is controlled.  Not so here!

The next trip will be easier.  Nothing like learning "the lay of the land!"
A knife just as good?  Tell the guy that Indiana Jones shot,  he had a big sword!

[Sunbeam56]

That guy wasn't in a bar.

[Jerry]

I am not a bar guy, so I will stick with my Ruger 357 Magnum.
I have a knife collection too, thanks to the years in Fishing Tackle Retailing.

"Now this here's a knife!"
I have that one too.

In a pinch I can use the fart machine.

[Sunbeam56]

 

That's a defense - laugh them to death. 

As a child, I never understood why the knives at other people's houses were so awkward to use. My Dad brought home blades designed for pathology. And he kept them honed to a surgical edge.
The knives I have now are not as practical, but they fit nicely in my hand, have a good balance, and when you go to cut something, they don't require a lot of sawing. 

I never did get a good fillet knife - I prefer to cook fish mostly whole. 

[Jerry]

I wish I had the chance to sharpen your knives.  I spent 14 years at it.  Even got a role because I fit the "special skill."
Look into the "crock stick" it will give you the razor edge after the main sharpening is done with a steel or a stone.  Test it on a magazine page.

Ask Rorak this one (keep it to yourself if you know the answer.)  Ready?
How do you pronounce the Capital of Louisiana?  New Orleens or New Orlins.
let me know

[Sunbeam56]

None of the above.
The natives say "N'Arlins"

i've spent a night or two in the Quarter...

[PondmaninAL]

I thought it was more like Nawlins.

[Jerry]

 
Gee whiz, I always said Baton Rouge!
I felt i could get it by Roark, but never Savannah!
Hope you are all laughing.