Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Dot the Dolphin
I just got the ole scanner working again. This is Dot from the cruise to the Bahamas. It was super cool being that close to a really big dolphin. She had a baby in the lagoon with her and would leave to make sure her baby wasn't going too far away. Then she would come back and the baby would be following her. There was a familiar look in her eyes when she would look at you. It was awesome.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Camping
Growing up, camping wasn't much of a family activity. I went with Girl Scouts a few times and we slept in cabins. We had fires and roasted marshmallows and slept in sleeping bags. We fought off daddy long leg spiders and drew things on the top of the cabin with our flashlights for the others to guess. About 6 years ago I went camping with some friends. Then again a few months later and more recently i've been about 3-4 times in the last few years. I absolutely love it. Germs don't bother me when i'm camping. I still carry my Purell and am careful not to touch too much with super dirty hands, but I don't need to shower 18 times a day and clothes can be worn more than once. I think it's a very freeing experience for my crazy mind. So this weekend I went with Tam and the kids and the Carr's. Tam, the kids and I left Austin around 2:30p and drove out to Garner State Park.
We arrived around 6p. The park was closed and supposedly super full, so we didn't know where our camp site was. We found the park store, fortunately and contacted the park police. They informed us to pick a spot and go to the office in the morning. So we drove around, in the dark, looking for a spot. We finally found one, found out there was no water or electricity and decided it would do. Much to my dismay as the idea of not having water or electricity freaked me out a bit at first. After my panic attack, I set up the tent. Fortunatly M was in the helpful mood and held flashlights and hammered (attempted) in stakes. The Carr's showed up around 10 but we had all gone to bed as it was about 40 degrees and we had a charcoal fire to cook, but it's not very bone warming...
I think we heard that it was 36 degrees while we slept on Saturday night. I felt it. The moment my head poked out of my sleeping bag, I retreated. My ears and nose were frozen.
Sunday we were supposed to go to Lost Maples, but heard there was an hour wait to get into the park, so we hiked the "easy" trail instead. It was straight up, not my idea of easy. Rocks, dirt and more rocks. We saw an Armadillo! My first live Armadillo. They hop when they run. It was hilarious. And apparently the only excitement. I did save M from tumbling down the mountain. He said that I saved his life...I think that may have been an exaggeration. It was a good hike. It wasn't exactly the best hiking trail for a bunch of kids and a tiny baby in a carrier though... And, although we didn't get to the cave that we originally set out for, the view and experience was just as much fun.
We also hung out by the Frio River and threw rocks across the river using trees as target practice. There were many rock sculptures created and the leaves of the trees along the river had turned a vibrant orange. But only along the river. In some of the aerial (from our hike) pictures you can see the S of the river with the color of the trees.
Sunday night wasn't much easier to sleep. It was much warmer, but the wind has picked up a considerable amount. The tent was flapping in the wind as we weren't blocked by any trees. Fortunately the tent held and we didn't fly away. I can't say it didn't cross my mind if it was possible. It also started to rain. The rain fly was on top of the tent, but sometimes the water still manages it's way into the seams. I don't know how, but everything stayed pretty dry. A few small drops made their way in, but it was only this morning that I found them.
We packed up and made our way back to Austin this morning. G had bronchitis last week and was still feeling puny, so we left as soon as things were ready.
Now I am home and doing laundry. It's been a packed few weeks and it's time to decompress before round two: The Junior League Christmas Show (selling candles) and Thanksgiving and then, the Armadillo.
On a different note, some of my family is coming into town for Thanksgiving and i'm incredibly excited to see them all!
Here are a few of the many pics taken this weekend
We arrived around 6p. The park was closed and supposedly super full, so we didn't know where our camp site was. We found the park store, fortunately and contacted the park police. They informed us to pick a spot and go to the office in the morning. So we drove around, in the dark, looking for a spot. We finally found one, found out there was no water or electricity and decided it would do. Much to my dismay as the idea of not having water or electricity freaked me out a bit at first. After my panic attack, I set up the tent. Fortunatly M was in the helpful mood and held flashlights and hammered (attempted) in stakes. The Carr's showed up around 10 but we had all gone to bed as it was about 40 degrees and we had a charcoal fire to cook, but it's not very bone warming...
I think we heard that it was 36 degrees while we slept on Saturday night. I felt it. The moment my head poked out of my sleeping bag, I retreated. My ears and nose were frozen.
Sunday we were supposed to go to Lost Maples, but heard there was an hour wait to get into the park, so we hiked the "easy" trail instead. It was straight up, not my idea of easy. Rocks, dirt and more rocks. We saw an Armadillo! My first live Armadillo. They hop when they run. It was hilarious. And apparently the only excitement. I did save M from tumbling down the mountain. He said that I saved his life...I think that may have been an exaggeration. It was a good hike. It wasn't exactly the best hiking trail for a bunch of kids and a tiny baby in a carrier though... And, although we didn't get to the cave that we originally set out for, the view and experience was just as much fun.
We also hung out by the Frio River and threw rocks across the river using trees as target practice. There were many rock sculptures created and the leaves of the trees along the river had turned a vibrant orange. But only along the river. In some of the aerial (from our hike) pictures you can see the S of the river with the color of the trees.
Sunday night wasn't much easier to sleep. It was much warmer, but the wind has picked up a considerable amount. The tent was flapping in the wind as we weren't blocked by any trees. Fortunately the tent held and we didn't fly away. I can't say it didn't cross my mind if it was possible. It also started to rain. The rain fly was on top of the tent, but sometimes the water still manages it's way into the seams. I don't know how, but everything stayed pretty dry. A few small drops made their way in, but it was only this morning that I found them.
We packed up and made our way back to Austin this morning. G had bronchitis last week and was still feeling puny, so we left as soon as things were ready.
Now I am home and doing laundry. It's been a packed few weeks and it's time to decompress before round two: The Junior League Christmas Show (selling candles) and Thanksgiving and then, the Armadillo.
On a different note, some of my family is coming into town for Thanksgiving and i'm incredibly excited to see them all!
 |
| Garner State Park Camping |
Pumpkin Carving
I get the wonderful challenge of carving pumpkins. At least I have for the last couple of years. M & G "draw" an idea of what they want on their pumpkin and I am then to do my best at conveying their art in a pumpkin carving. A Devil saying "boo" and a dog were the lucky ones this year. The dog doesn't have enough light coming through and it's hard taking pictures at night of pumpkins! That is what I have decided.
Halloween Scout
Scout was a bee for her first Halloween. She loathed the entire experience and my laughing probably did not help her any...
Pouting
PoutingSaturday, November 1, 2008
Red Bud
I took Scout to Red Bud Park a few weeks ago so that she could play in the water. It is a leash free park and there are always tons of dogs. She doesn't listen very well, but hasn't been lost yet (knock on wood) so things are good. She LOVES playing in the water, but won't swim yet.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ok, Ok...
As if I actually need to list out the 7 random/quirky things about myself, here's what i've come up with. Oh, yeah, and i'm not tagging anyone else because there is no one else. However, if you faithful readers want to post a comment with your 7 quirky things...feel free. No pressure.
1. I don’t like it when my sheets or pillowcase are hot when I get into bed. They must be cold and not have any residual warmth from people/animals. In the same category, my pillow is sacred. It never touches the ground, is covered when I leave so it can’t be used as a bed for the kitties.
2. I can count the number of things that I’ve lost in the last 10 years. Two! My Oakley watch that I’m sure was on the bathroom counter and a cat pushed it off into the trash and without noticing, I threw it out. Then there is the digital camera I lost after my Shiner Bike Ride in 2006. I drove back to Shiner to try to find it along the road when I had to stop to get something from the trunk. I was convinced it would be there. I found the spot, but not the camera. It still bothers me greatly that they’re gone. I have had the same wallet since high school, quite possibly sooner. My driver’s license has never had to be replaced and all new cell phones are upgrades, not replacements.
3. I obsess about things that I’d like to be able to do until I can do it well. Currently, it’s the Ripstick. If you don’t know what a Ripstick is, Google it. It’s comparable to skateboarding. Which I can’t do at all, but the desire isn’t there, so I don’t care so much. But this Ripstick thing is driving me nuts! Ok, I obsess about EVERYTHING...
4. I only drink Iced Tea & Water 90% of the time. I love Pepsi (sorry KC) and Dr. Pepper more than life itself, but as a test for myself In January of 2007 I wanted to see how long I could go without drinking it. It’s almost been two years. Now, I am unable to drink anything else. I will feel like I’ve failed…
5. I typically carry my camera around with me at all times so I don’t ever miss an opportunity to get a picture of something great.
6. It’s taken me since I was tagged weeks ago to actually put a label to my random/quirky things. They’re just there!
7. I brush my teeth in the shower. They feel cleaner.
And PS - I don't like mayo. Only in Tuna Salad will I eat mayo.
1. I don’t like it when my sheets or pillowcase are hot when I get into bed. They must be cold and not have any residual warmth from people/animals. In the same category, my pillow is sacred. It never touches the ground, is covered when I leave so it can’t be used as a bed for the kitties.
2. I can count the number of things that I’ve lost in the last 10 years. Two! My Oakley watch that I’m sure was on the bathroom counter and a cat pushed it off into the trash and without noticing, I threw it out. Then there is the digital camera I lost after my Shiner Bike Ride in 2006. I drove back to Shiner to try to find it along the road when I had to stop to get something from the trunk. I was convinced it would be there. I found the spot, but not the camera. It still bothers me greatly that they’re gone. I have had the same wallet since high school, quite possibly sooner. My driver’s license has never had to be replaced and all new cell phones are upgrades, not replacements.
3. I obsess about things that I’d like to be able to do until I can do it well. Currently, it’s the Ripstick. If you don’t know what a Ripstick is, Google it. It’s comparable to skateboarding. Which I can’t do at all, but the desire isn’t there, so I don’t care so much. But this Ripstick thing is driving me nuts! Ok, I obsess about EVERYTHING...
4. I only drink Iced Tea & Water 90% of the time. I love Pepsi (sorry KC) and Dr. Pepper more than life itself, but as a test for myself In January of 2007 I wanted to see how long I could go without drinking it. It’s almost been two years. Now, I am unable to drink anything else. I will feel like I’ve failed…
5. I typically carry my camera around with me at all times so I don’t ever miss an opportunity to get a picture of something great.
6. It’s taken me since I was tagged weeks ago to actually put a label to my random/quirky things. They’re just there!
7. I brush my teeth in the shower. They feel cleaner.
And PS - I don't like mayo. Only in Tuna Salad will I eat mayo.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Been Awhile
I've slacked on this whole blog thing recently. School, work, work, school. Oh, and some softball in between. I've been working on this website: www.francarlisle.com. It's almost finished! YAY!
Back in September I headed down to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. I wasn't planning on going, but as it turned out, I went for a day. I missed my sister. It's just not the same...
I was able to see Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on Sat. night of ACL with the Carrs. That was fun. I had to ask Jeff who Robert Plant was. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. I knew he was important, just didn't know he was Led Zeppelin important.
I've been messing around with Photoshop too. Distorting pictures and colors of photos that i've taken. I know I am a little late jumping on this train, but never had the desire to teach myself until now.
Here's one from the kite festival.
and T's Luna.
There's more. I know. I'm tired.
Back in September I headed down to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. I wasn't planning on going, but as it turned out, I went for a day. I missed my sister. It's just not the same...
I was able to see Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on Sat. night of ACL with the Carrs. That was fun. I had to ask Jeff who Robert Plant was. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. I knew he was important, just didn't know he was Led Zeppelin important.
I've been messing around with Photoshop too. Distorting pictures and colors of photos that i've taken. I know I am a little late jumping on this train, but never had the desire to teach myself until now.
There's more. I know. I'm tired.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)