Christmas Eve, 2009

Here we are in far west Texas, enjoying a howling wind blow around the house. It's 36 outside, on the way to a supposed high of 47. Interesting things blow around - tumbleweed chasing plastic grocery bags, any scrap of trash not securely contained. I wonder how reindeer and a sleigh can fight this wind.

We'll not have a white Christmas, maybe a dusty brown one, but a very Merry one none the less.

This meandering thought brings me to this:

A Very Merry, Peaceful and Loving Holiday to all!

Hi, I'm back

Sometimes, it just isn't worth trying to change, so our travel and other stuff will be here.

We're getting all set up to start our wandering again, and hopefully will have lots to show and write about in the not too distant future. Our first junket is intended to be a 'follow the Gulf' from South Padre Island around to the Florida Keys.

Stay tuned and see where we actually go.

Starting Our Planning

Well, the Travelin’ Hedricks haven’t done much traveling yet. We brought the rig home from New Mexico, and have it here in the yard. It got its first workout in its alternate life when my daughter Nikki got to use it as a ‘guest house’. We have started our plans though, and our first trip will be in January, going to warmer weather.
We had our first snow of this winter here in the desert last week, a little over an inch, and now it’s sunny and clear. We can’t wait to start our journey, so stay tuned for updates and photos.

Our New Rig

This is the motoring part of our new to us rig.

As promised, here are a couple of photos of our new rig. It promises to be
a good way to see more of this continent.

This is obviously looking head on to it.

This from the slide side.

And this from the door side.

On the Road Again

Boy does time fly when you're pondering big decisions!

We've decided to get back on the Travelin' Hedricks roadtrips. Last week, we bought a new to us 5th wheel trailer and last month, a new to us pickup. We're all set to start some wandering around the country again. As soon as we get everything all roadshape, there'll be some photos of our new rig and some of the place we go. I'll even try to be a little more timely in posting our where's and when's.

Stay tuned for more news.

On a recent trip to Austin, we took time to revisit the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. If you are ever
in the area, you should look this up. In the hot
September heat, there were still many blooms to be enjoyed.

For many many more sky photos be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

Sedona AZ Skywatch Friday

Our journey back from California led us to

the area around Sedona Arizona. These

are some of the photos of that area. I wish to share these with

you, and only wish I could share the peace and tranquility that is to be found there.

If ever you get a chance or take the opportunity to

visit, please don't pass it up. In the meantime enjoy these. For more great photos,

click this link for Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday from the California Coast

After enduring the hot weather for several
weeks, we decided it was time for another
ocean 'fix'. This photo was the night of our
arrival at the west coast at Oxnard, CA.
After a wonderful dinner we went outside for
this view.

The next day, we went further north to the
Pismo Beach area. This beautiful
sky shot is at San Luis Bay at Avila Beach.

Just when you think you have it made, you
see the guys who really work hard...

Just wonder where we get to take the next nap?

For more great Skywatch photos, just visit
Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday

It seems like a month for company. This week, my
daughter from NC is here to visit. Yesterday, we took
a drive around Big Bend and the border country.
This photo is a small canyon in Pinto Canyon in the
Chinati Mountains. The sky was
wonderful and the terrain fantastic.

These next three photos are of the Rio Grande and
its surroundings, as taken from the 'River Road'
that runs from Study Butte, TX to Presidio, TX

It seems to beg the question, "Where does the
fence go?"

For more great photos and sky pictures from around the world
click this link to visit Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday

Sorry I've been missing for the last couple of weeks, but now I'm
back, and even have a fresh road trip to share.

My sister came to visit, and on our way back to the airport, we detoured
by Carlsbad Caverns (no sky shots)
and then a stop at White Sands National Monument.


The sand dunes with the mountains in the background
are really spectacular.

I must really learn more about my camera, it was so
bright, I had trouble taking photos.

On the nature trail, we came across this little guy
(look hard in the center of the photo) He was
using the plant to try for some food and/or water
I'm not sure which.

For more great sky photos, visit Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for visiting.

Skywatch Friday

I missed a few weeks, but now I'm back and here's part of
where I've been. We had to go back east for
my Mom's funeral, then took time to go to
Atlantic Beach, NC for some serious decompressing.

The weather was great, rain, sun and surf. Mix in
fresh seafood and what more could you want.

These were through a screen, but the double rainbow was spectacular.

For more great photos, go to Skywatch Friday.

Wonderful Dining

It's really great having a chef for a son-in-law. While we were back east for my Mom's funeral, we had a chance also to spend time with our 3 daughters. While we were in Greenville, SC, we got to go to a special 'Chef's Dinner' with 2 visiting chefs from DC. Talk about a great meal. Six course tasting with wine pairing. Can't get the scanner to work, so here's a brief copy of the menu:

Greeting Wine:
Conde de Subirats. Cava

Cannelloni of Pineapple
Tasmanian Salmon Tartar. Cashews. Yuzu-Miromi
2007 Domaine De Ballade. Vine de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne

Pan Seared Maine Sea Scallops
Wax bean risotto. Morel Mushrooms
2007 Chateau Capion 'Cuvee IC Blanc' Vin de Pays D'oc

Carolina Quail
Apricot-White Bean Pure, Frisee, Sherry-maple Glaze
2008 Domaine de la Berthete 'Sensation Rose' Cote du Rhone

Spring Lamb Tenderloin
Spinach, Foie Gras in Cumin Madeira Sauce
2006 Domaine Jerome Gradassi. Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Pre-Dessert
Strawberry and Rhubarb

Milk Chocolate Cremeaux
Devils Crumbs, Honey-Poached Kumquats, Maldon Salt
2007 Domaine de L'Elephant 'Le Rivesaltes-Grenat' Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes


All I can say is I have never eaten finer nor better food, nor can words do it justice.

Skywatch Friday

Last week we had a short thunder storm. It didn't
bring the rain we need so badly, but the aftermath
did leave us with a wonderful sunset. It's nice to
just step out the front door and see scenes like these.

This is looking west down our street.

This photo shows the start of the bloom on the century plant across the
street. It seems to grow about a foot a day. There will be more
photos as this grows.

For more fantastic shots from around the world,
please click on this link to visit Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday

These are some of pleasant photos of Monument Valley in Southern Utah.
This is on the a Navajo Reservation. Guides are available, and
are worth the small fee. When you're with a
guide, you can see far more area than just visiting alone.




You also get to know more of Navajo culture, and
meet wonderful people.

For more great photos from around the world
be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday

This weeks photos come from New Mexico.
This first is a fantastic view while traveling in the Black Range





The following photos are from one of our favorite
NM State parks - City of Rocks.

These wind formed sculptures continue
to mesmerize us whenever we visit.

For more great photos, visit Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch Friday

Some nice snaps from Colorado and
fall in the San Juan Mountains.

Enjoy

For more fantastic photos from around the world
please click this link. Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday

Having been stuck inside working on less than glamorous projects
I've gone into the way back machine and found some ancient
photos take on a trip while I was stationed in Berlin.

These photos could use some work, but I'm not going to.
Here they are just the way they were taken. These shots
are from the Swiss Alps .

For more wonderful sky photos, Please click this link
Skywatch Friday.