The doggie park

Logan playing with Molly and Pika. Both are herding dogs and they nip Logan on the back legs and he get very upset.

The doggie park extends straight ahead then there is an fenced agility area with equipment. Then it extends the same distance behind where I'm standing taking the picture. It is just wonderful to have the kind of room for the dogs to chase each other and fetch balls.

Doggie park time is also a social time for us too.

Another native flower.

Pepe's on the River 2

Will, what do you think of that nice group of young ladies.?

This was our last fling at Pepe's and I couldn't believe the crowd. of course, it was Sunday. Had to set up a table on the entrance porch for us

Then there was the overflow in the back. If you didn't want to eat, drink, dance or listen to the music...you can hit golf balls across the Rio Grande. Bet there are a million balls in the river.

Pepe's on the River

This lady was really making her silver belt shimmy. Notice the cowboy boots on the left. You really need them to do the Texas Two-step.

This "older generation" really knows how to dance up a storm.

I think this gentleman on the left is the best dressed...I'm suggesting Greg look into finding a similar outfit , what do you think?

Flowers of Texas

The owners of the park have planted only native plants...All the flowers are coming out and it is beautiful. I don't know the name of the flowers but just enjoy.

Also this is an aerial shot of the RV Part. The parking lot and buildings at the bottom of the picture is the Bentsen International Birding Park. We bike around the RV Park...you can see the line of the trees at the left and back of the plowed field..a dirt road on the right It is 3 1/2 miles. At the top of the picture...the bike trail goes on into Mission. Also the dike road is dirt but OK for biking. Water is pumped into the canal for irrigation, it is not the Rio Grande.

You can see how large the park is and just about everyone has a bike and that is the mode of transportation. Also the trash containers are under the tree and the far right in the park. So, either they drive their car or use the bike to make the trash runs.

Hawaii from the air

Lynne, Greg and I took a helicopter trip over Kauai. I just have to share a couple of the pictures. It was a special treat. We did learn one thing...at the end of the flight. The best time to go is in the afternoon when the sun is at a better angle. So if you have the chance to go...you have been advised. The reflection on the canopy really dulled some of the pictures. Notice the shadow of the cliffs on the beach..no shadow...better picture.

I can't remember the name of the water fall ...sorry...and the beach scene is one of the the areas were the film Six days seven nights was filmed Where Harrison and Anne were being chased by the bad guys.

This waterfall is where I think both Fantasy Island and Jurassic Park were filmed. The landscape is stunning. The only access is by helicopter.

Relative in Mission

Well, would you believe it, I found a long lost relative in Mission, TX.

I have been researching the Smyth side of the family and was in contact with a second cousin in Oklahoma City, Steven Smythe, He has a family web site and he put me in contact with Glen (Hoot) Smyth in Mission. We connected via email and finally got together. He has lived in Mission several years..even when Lynne and Carlos were here. He was born and raised in Southern Oklahoma and is 84 years old. I hope I'm in as good condition as he when I get to 84. Maybe that is a good gene I'll have. Greg said there was a family resembleance...the nose. What can I say.

It was exciting to talk to him. He "knew" several of the relatives that I had only "heard" the names. I think the Smyth group in Oklahoma were a riot. Or maybe I shouldn't go that far.:-))

I was fortunate to visit a cousin in Tulsa this trip and had dinner with her and her husband. Sadly she passed away several days ago. She had hoped to live until her 60th wedding anniversary. I think you should never miss an opportunity to reach and get to know everyone you can.

Just a side note on researching family names...as you noticed.. Steven spells his last name with an e. So, you just never know who might be related. Some decide to change the spelling and sometimes it is misread and passed on in error.

Bentsen bird park

We get to bike through the bird park and hear all the birds. They have other animals too. havalinas..bobcats...armadillos...snakes...butterflies, big wolly tarantulas.

I missed the bobcat but that was ok. We had Logan and I just knew he would look like dinner to the bobcat.

Missing the snakes was ok with Greg too. We had two rattlers in the park and were warned to watch the dogs.

The javalina were petty calm. Logan got really excited but they just moved out in a normal walk. The butterflies are few now but in October they are abundant. There is also a seperate butterfly park. I couldn't get close enough to the birds to get a good picture. BUT, it is amazing how many people go to the park daily and carry these BIG camera. We had a "art in the park" day and people were able to display they 'art' and most were pictures of wildlife. Very good pictures.