Crawdads, slots and boudin

We're off again in the morning after a short three day stay at the Red Shoe RV Park at Coushatta Casino.  (www.coushattacasinoresort.com) A special thanks to friends Tracy and Judy for the tip about this place.  A well maintained park, great casino and the price is right!  So how was our luck?Well we didn't lose much money for a change. So I think that means we're winners ... almost.

In case you're interested ... Red Shoe was the Coushatta tribe leader back in the late 1800's and established a political and social system that is still governing today's nation.

Actually we visited two other casinos in nearby Lake Charles, about 30 miles south.  Isle of Capri and La'Auberge.  The later is the newest in the area and really nice as well.  Lake Charles is an interesting port town with shipping and oil commerce in abundance.  Downtown is a being remade into a trendy location with a number of neat shops and places to eat.  On west bound I10 just before the tall bridge at Lake Charles, we stopped in at Steamboat Bill's (www.steamboatbills.com). One of two locations, this roadside eatery is a fried seafood lovers delight.  The catfish (I know catfish ain't seafood but you get the idea) was superb but the deep fried boudin (pronounced  'boo dan') balls were fantastic! ... Best we've ever had. What you say? You don't know what boudin balls are?  Stop by Steamboat Bill's and discover them yourself. Actually you can find these little jewels throughout the South but be prepared to find that all recipes are different but generally ... very tasty.

Weather has been a little cool but sunny.  We expect the same tomorrow as we'll make a one night stop over at Hollywood Casino in Bay St Louis MS then on to Gulf Shores AL for maybe a month.

Still livin'' the dream ... now in Cajun country.

Phil

Sharon's fix

Just a short note that, after an uneventful 3.5 hour drive, we're now at the Red Shoe RV park on the grounds of the Coushatta Casino in Kinder Louisiana.  Sharon is now ... Reaaaaaaaaaly happy.

The unfortunate guy next to me had to have his dually truck and fifth wheel towed in as he mistakenly put regular gas in his diesel Chevy.  Not a rookie at rving but just got distracted at the pump ... but I bet he has better luck at the poker tables ... He's due for sure.

Still livin' the dream and hoping Lady Luck comes out of hiding.

Phil

Houston (Johnson) Space Center

Five years ago we visited the Houston area and didn't take the time to visit the Houston Space Center.  Big mistake! This time we set a day aside to tour this national treasure and we were so glad we did.  Actually the HSC was only about 10 miles from our camp so getting there was no big deal.

OMG ...50 years of space travel?  My how time flies.

They open around 10:00am but we were a little lazy getting around and arrived about noon.  A couple of tickets with a discount coupon from the local visitors center costs us about $32 dollars.  You step inside the main building and are flooded with dramatic displays of all kinds of space vehicles hanging from the 50 foot ceiling and all around the circumference.  If you have a burning desire to jump into a flight simulator ...  they have them.  Fly the shuttle or try to land the moon lander.  Not for those who suffer motion sickness, but I think most all managed to keep their lunch down even though you get tossed about quite a bit.  Need to ask a question about space travel ... no problem.  NASA people are everywhere and there is not many questions they can't answer.  I wanted to know where the men's room was and I received expert instructions BTW.  Speaking of the Shuttle ...

Parking is apparently a problem here.

This is the Shuttle pilot's seat.  Do you see where they plug in their Ipods?

Since they have a large variety of displays, it is important that you schedule your time on what you want to see.  A tour of whole facility is part of the ticket price so we got in line for the next tram trip out.  We jumped on board the covered tram accompanied with about 50 other tourist.

These were our 'tram buddies''.  Great kids ... and pretty too!

As we wandered around the various buildings they all looked pretty sterile.  Few windows in the building and only a number identifying them.  Security appears to be very tight  No walking off with a moon rock sample.  But as we drove around the guide would explain what was going on inside the various buildings.  Astronaut isolation facility (after space travel they might need to be de-bugged I guess) ... moon rock storage building, space vehicle development and huge training buildings.  The tram stopped at the space station training center and we moved up to a viewing area high above the space that contained full sized mock ups of all our major space station modules.  You cannot understand or appreciate the size of these vehicles until you see them up close.

You're only seeing about half of the building in this shot.

Space Station training module Zarya.  A Russian module they built and sent to the ISS.

Module mock ups for future Orion Project to Mars?

It's absolutely amazing to me how we can blast these size objects off the face of the earth.  Then when you get them positioned in orbit, a couple of guys with wrenches and power tools can assemble this high tech city some 300 plus feet long ... all while in the vacuum of space.  If you've read any of my previous blog posts you know that I'm really hooked on this stuff.

We left the big training building and was taken to a long building that had an image of the old Saturn V launch vehicle.  This was pre-shuttle technology but once we walked into the building there was a real Saturn V rocket laying horizontal on a large mobile platform.  It's the second time I'd seen a Saturn V with the first time at Cape Kennedy in 1968.  We got within 200ft of the rocket as it was on the launch pad and it was quite a sight.  Security won't let you anywhere near the rockets now but it was a kinder, gentler time.  Anyway, walking into this building and being so close to this monster you can touch is pretty neat.

This is one big rocket.

First Stage Booster.  This baby will dry your hair in no time!

Second Stage Booster

Third Stage Booster

After the tram tour we enjoyed various films and demonstrations that rounded out our day here.  The Space Center has something for adults and kids alike so make it a stop the next time you're in Houston.

Mars Lunar Lander Demo.  This gal was really knew her stuff!

Mock up of Lunar Lander

Latest arrival to the Space Center.  It should be ready for viewing inside soon.

This was a real thrill for me and I even think Sharon enjoyed herself as well.  Would I do it again?  You bet!  The exhibits change now and again and they even offer (for a price) lunch with one of the astronauts!

With yet another item checked off the old 'bucket list' we'll move on tomorrow to Kinder Louisiana and try our luck at the Caushatta Casino.

Still livin' the dream here in earth space.

Phil

Houston ... a city of variety

Okay I think I'm almost back on tract with only a few days behind.

Our new camp in Kemah Texas is pretty nice.  Well kept and our site overlooks a tidal canal loaded with all kinds of flying and swimming critters.  Crows and vultures have been replaced with seagulls, terns, and these crazy fish that just like to leap out of the water.

Home Sweet Home (for a week) ... Kemah Texas

The camp is absolutely filled to capacity but in the daytime few are here.  As it turns out, most are temporary oil company workers hired for a big pipeline job in the area that will take many months.  They leave early, get home late and are too tired to make any ruckus so it's very quite at night.

We've already discovered the local hotspots for fresh fish and I think before leaving we will have sprouted gills.  Good stuff and priced low.

Our first adventure out was a water tour of the Port of Houston.  We arrive at the dock about an hour early and discover that this is a free trip.  Yup ... free!.  I'm immediately positive that there is some kind of trick afoot here.  What in the world do you get something for free?, I ask myself.  I ponder this question for a few minutes but was interrupted when Sharon began chatting with a group of ladies who were also taking the trip.  I was soon engaged in the discussion and I was assured that this was no fluke.  It was free and it was worth our time.

The boat was about a 90 footer with an enclosed portion and plenty of space on deck for those hardy enough to stand the slightly brisk weather outside.

The Port Authority of Houston (www.portofhouston.com) pays for this little excursion that takes you some 90 minutes to complete.  They toss in an ongoing narration of the passing attractions and provide some liquid refreshments.  What a deal!  Now if you were expecting sandy beaches, palm trees and beautiful skylines ... forget it.  The trip shows you what Houston is good at.  And thankfully they are good at it ... this port is how petroleum get done.  You'll see the distillation plants, the storage depots, the vast array of ships that move our oil products around.  Not boring.  Didn't see a person on board who thought so either.  Being up close to these oil carrying behemoths of the sea gives you a real sense how much oil we really use in the country.  Large storage tanks the size of round football fields (I just thought this one up) are everywhere.  It does get you wondering when we hear of gas and oil shortages how that is figured however after taking a trip like this.  Anyway ... if you're in town; take this trip.  You'll enjoy it.  BTW ... regular gas was $3.55/gal and diesel about 30 cents more.  I thought maybe we'd get an even better deal since we're so close to the source ... but no luck.

In case you didn't know ... This port contributes over 1 million direct and indirect jobs to the Houston area and over 178 billion bucks of total economic activity.  The Port Authority has recently added a new cruise line terminal that will continue to add to the over one hundred cruise sailings already planned this year.

Here's a few pictures I took along the way.

A very busy shipping canal

Headed for a big grain storage area 

Tankers from all parts of the world.

Oil storage and refining facilities line the shipping canal. 

This monster was being filled ... not with oil but ... hundreds of used American cars.  No idea where they were headed. 

Cracking towers.  Several of hundreds in the area. 

Aft deck ... out of the wind and close to the refreshments a time for chit chat.

Deck hand Kathy.  She and the captain manage the ship.  She loves her job she says. 

Marine fire department always on patrol.  This is no place for a fire.

Almost back to the dock, we all gather in the lounge.

So there you have it.  Another neat excursion along our winter journey.

Still livin' the dream ... this time in Houston Texas.

Phil

Out on the town

I'm trying to catch up here a little bit as we've been far too busy to write this blog. I regress.

Before we left Fentress Texas a few days ago Bill, June, Sharon and I decided we wanted to try out one of the better steak house in the area.. After a little research I got to choose Myron's Steak House in New Braunfels (www.myronsprime.com) as the place to go.  Highly rated and serving only the finest prime beef that was dry aged for some three weeks then wet aged for another week or so.  OMG this is Nirvana. Now keep in mind that anything prime that is sold is expensive and with all that aging the price keeps on going up.  But cast aside the cost I say ... we'll eat Ramen noodles for a month.  I gotta try it once.

Here's 3/4 of the group just before heading in for our feast.  The thorn between two roses on this Valentines Day. The other thorn was taking the picture. Duh!

Service and attention to detail was first class, as one would expect.  The food.  OMG!
Something about prime aged beef that give it a 'beefier' taste sets it apart from anything else you might run across in lesser places.  Sharon had a bone-in filet (a cut that I have never seen at a restaurant before) and I had a bone-in rib eye.  Each plate served exactly as ordered.  Bill and June had filet and a host of scrumptious appetizers that they generously shared.  Myron's wine selection was one of the things they also like to brag about.   With some vintages selling at over $800/bottle, you had to be very careful what you ordered or you'll be eating those darn ramen noodles far longer that you had planned.  Top off the feast with a special brewed coffee and a creme' brulee dessert garnished with fresh fruits ... Happy Valentines Day to us.

So fellow food sluts ... this is how to do it right and live high on the hog ... so to speak.  One big expensive night out maybe once every 6 months ... it's worth saving up for.

Still livin' the dream and enjoying each day as it comes.

Phil

And away we go!

We're on the road again ... first thing Sunday morning.

Leaving our central Texas park in Fentress, our next stop will be Kemah Texas. Just south of Houston, it's about a 3 1/2 hour drive assuming the city traffic isn't too severe.  We'll be staying at the same place we were at some five years ago and are anxious to see all the expansion that has taken place.
We're planning on taking a tour of the Port of Houston, visiting the Space center, taking in the Photography Museum, and if time permits, the Brazos State Park Planetarium.  I'm sure our 7 day stay will fly by, but we're up for it.  From there it's a few days stop in Kinder Louisiana.  Why Kinder you ask?  Kinder is the home of Coushatta Casino and Resort.  Sharon has been without a casino 'fix' for better than three months and our friends Tracy and Judy say it's a place you just have to visit. So we'll give it a try.  Maybe we could win enough money to .........

We're leaving behind our friends Bill and June who are staying in Fentress for a couple more weeks before heading to a spot on the east side of Houston.  We'll miss their companionship and being parked right next door. With any kind of luck they will catch up to us in the Gulf Shores Alabama area sometime in March.  We wish them safe travels ... the last three months have been great.

Still livin' the dream and on the road again ... stay tuned.

Phil

My fine feathered friend

RV travel can take you places you haven't been and see things you've not seen before.  Maybe it's just an extrapolation of the old question 'why did the guy climb the mountain'?  Beside getting there it's also the opportunity to see what's on the other side.  Whatever the explanation, the world around us usually has something interesting to embrace.  Yesterday was no exception.

The road between our camp in Fentress and the small town of Lockhart is a marked change from some of the nearby freeways.  This rural road just loafs along the foothills of the famous Texas hill country.  An easy drive with gentle curves, an occasional small ranch, an oil well or two and quite a bit of very dense mesquite acreage.  Mesquite is sort of scrub/shrub vegetation, very tough and apparently grows in dense patches that defy removal.  With needle like thorns and tap roots that will dive to 150 feet, these hardy plants make a terrific refuge for all kinds of critters.  Deer, wild hogs, cattle, coyote and a variety of birds find comfort in this prickly confine.

Returning from Lockhart yesterday I was driving pretty slow and noticed a number of vultures feeding on something dead in the mesquite patch along side the road.  By the looks of the remains, some 150 feet away, a wild hog had met its demise and lunch was being served (so to speak).  I pulled to a stop, got out my camera and 200mm lens and started to shoot.  From out of the corner of my eye I saw another bird enter the luncheon.  Big, brown, and a beak that looked like it could dismantle a car.
The vultures took quick notice and stepped aside from their lunch treat.  It was then this new guy took charge and decided this was his table ... others need not stick around.  So with the black vultures lurking and leering in the nearby mesquite bushes and their ever disappearing snack, I took a few images and left for camp wondering what I had seen.

I have an app on my Ipad called Peterson Birds of North America.  A feature rich program that I've turned to many times for bird help.  Under the section 'Diurnal Birds of Prey' I found the subject of my images.  In the sub category 'Caracares and Falcons' I found the "Crested Caracara".  Close to two foot tall, this not often sighted winged denizen apparently hangs out with vultures as they enjoy dining at the same places.  Anyway here's the young Caracara which I've since given the name "Igor" to.  Fitting I'd say.

Igor

And so it goes ... another day livin'  the dream.

Phil

ISS ... I see you

Okay space watchers ... I'm at it again.

This time it's a photograph of the International Space Station as it passes over Fentress Texas this morning at 6:22 CST.  So how do you know that I'm not just spoofing you and this is just a Piper Cub whizzing overhead.  Well here's the deal.  NASA, our almost defunct space program administrators, have a service that they provide for those who like to spend some part of their lives peering into space when they should be sleeping.  You give them your location and when their computer indicates that the Space Station will be visible to you, they send you an email the day before noting the time it will be visible (at your time zone), the inclination off the horizon, the direction of travel, and how many minutes it will be visible.

So yesterday they sent a message, which BTW, are not sent everyday but maybe once a week, telling me that at 6:22am it will appear in the WNW sky about 49 degrees off the horizon and heading to the SSE.  And most important it would only be visible for 4 minutes!

I got my gear all together the night before ... camera, 24mm-105mm lens, tripod, extension cable, warm clothes (it's still a little chilly here), a red light (so I could see at night) and readied for another foray into the joys of photography.  I made the necessary adjustment to the camera ... Shut off all automatic features, set shutter to 'bulb', locked the mirror up, set the ISO to 400, and settled on an aperture of f11.  Don't quiz me too deep on the f11 as it was more instinct that empirical knowledge.  Anyway I set the alarm for 6:00am and when it jars me into consciousness I leap into action.

The first thing I do is look out the bathroom window.  I have a nice skylight but the bathroom is usually my first stop anyway so ...  Egads ... the moon overhead looks a little fuzzy!  Is this going to be another ruined cloudy day because of the weather, I wonder?  Since I'm now awake, I hurried and got dressed, gathered my gear and stepped outside.  Yup it was cloudy but intermittent with long bands of wispy clouds layered across the sky.  But eureka!  I could see stars in between the cloud bands.  I made a quick calculation where the West North West was, set my camera in place, set the focal length to around 35mm and set the focus to infinity.  I looked at my watch and saw that I still had about 5 minutes left before it would appear so I took a test shot of about 1 minute to see what I would get.  A quick glance at the results confirmed that I would need to increase the exposure time and that the light from the moon would contribute to lighting the bands of passing clouds.  So with the nearby trees, moving clouds but little surface wind, the challenge was about to begin.

6:22 arrived and I strained to see this man-made marvel racing across the sky.  Nothing.  Damn clouds I murmured to myself.  But wait, there it was.  Bright as NASA said it would be (brightest object in the sky other than the moon) and travelling fast ... very fast.  I quickly reposition my camera to reflect the trajectory and fired off the first shot lasting about 90 seconds.  With little time to figure what to do next, I again repositioned the camera toward to southeastern sky and shot another exposure.  There it was ... and there it wasn't.  That was a fast 4 minutes!

Here's the best of the two exposures.  I can't wait till I get word of the next viewing.

ISS emerging from the WNW horizon at the bottom

So I admit I'm still a kid at heart as this stuff still excites me after many years of star gazing.  From laying in the backyard straining to see the first Russian Sputnik and America's Vanguard satellites as a youngster, to standing next to the last gigantic Saturn V rocket at Cape Canaveral, to watching three Space Shuttle launches ... to this.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil