Kwan Yin Statue

Kwan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion. This statue and the lotus pond is located on the grounds of a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple near State Hwy 6.

Houston has a rich and diverse Buddhist community which includes many Westerners.

Hermann Park Heron

Is there a dermatologist in the house?

I’ve seen some bad skin conditions, but this guy really needs some help!

Hiking buddy hard at work

While I was setting up the equipment shot, Hiett decided to load test the hammock. He decided that since he fell asleep so quickly he would get one when we returned to Houston.

Day Hiking Gear

My hiking buddy and I played hookie from the office a few days ago. We made a quick trip to Stephen F Austin State Park, about 35 miles from the office. We wanted to dust off the gear and work out a few kinks before the South Texas weather gets cool enough to really enjoy the hikes.

1. 32-oz Nalgene bottles with pouches and carabiners for attachment to belt or pack.

2. First Aid Kit suitable for a platoon level activity rather than a normal day hike.

3. Fleece vest and waterproof nylon windbreaker in stuff sack.

4. MSR titanium solo cook kit with bowl/cup.

5. Gerber fixed blade knife.

6. Gerber folding saw.

7. Gerber Bolt Action folder (guess you can tell I like Gerber products).

8. Cat-hole trowel and posterior maintenance papers in ziplock bag.

9. Esbit stove with extra heat tabs.

10. Lexan spork and tea/coffee brewer.

11. Tea bags (and sweetner for some of the sissies who hike with me).

12. Spices

13. Compact binoculars for wildlife and nude beach watching.

14. PSK (personal survival kit) with Gerber multi-tool, Victorinox Swiss Army McGyver knife, compass, matches, etc.

15. Stretch buff for cooling my ever growing solar panel (bald spot).

16. Light reading for those breaks that I need more often than in years past.

17. Journal and multi-pen for keeping record of all the awesome things we see in GRT (God’s Republic of Texas).

18. Jansport day pack.

19. Woven paper towels for camp cleanup (usually not the entire roll).

20. Goodie bag contains food for the trip.

21. Upper right hand corner of the frame is my lightweight parachute nylon hammock.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

We don’t carry all of this on every hike. This is enough to keep me going for three or four days if the weather cooperates.

Bolivar Ferry

I thought I’d include a couple of shots from the Bolivar Ferry since himmicane Ike is pounding our way. It always makes me proud to see the Lone Star flying proudly from the bridge.

This is Willis

When I was stationed in Germany, I had a First Sergeant by the name of Willis E Self. We called him The Rooster because his crow made sure we were out of the rack and standing tall before the sun rose.

We miss you, Rooster.

I Do . . . Really, I Do.

It’s been a few weeks since I last posted, so thought I’d share a shot of a friend in the last minute frenzy of singledom. I’m always tickled by the happy smile accompanied by the “deer-in-the-headlights” look. I can say that it’s been a while since this was taken and things are still going strong. Thanks, Troy and Jen.

Albuquerque International Balloon Festival

Second wave of the morning.

Now you know how they are able to find all those houses. But notice that Max has not been RE/Maxed at this time.

We loved all the primary colors. Early mountain sunrise made this one look like a stained glass window.

More bright colors.

American Spirit and POW*MIA Eagle

Almost ready for liftoff.

Early risers.

Laurie and Him

Custom Kitchen

This stainless steel and Ferrari red laquer kitchen was designed by Houston interior decorator Tammie Gandarillas. A truly one of a kind kitchen.