A Dozen Texas Places
Category: Memes... Travel...
Posted Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 04:34 PM [GMT-6]

I guess a meme is as good a way as any to return to the 'sphere after a brief layoff (layout? layover? lay down?). Jimmy's originated one that's got a good Texas theme: ...find out from as many bloggers as possible just where they'd like to be in the state of Texas if they could choose A Dozen Places. Six of those would be places they've been before; six would be places they've never been.

He's got some good ones in his lists. I've actually been to a couple of his "never been" locations (top of Enchanted Rock; White Rock Lake).

I'm going to accede to his pleading request to participate, in spite of one highly offensive entry on his list, as I recognize that he's still recovering from Blogathon and is thus insane. But I'm also adding another dimension to my "would like to be there again" selections – time. Some locations are no longer what they once were (same goes for people, but that's another meme for another time). Anyway, here are my lists:

6 places I've been in Texas (where I wish I could be again right now)

• Tubing the Frio River just outside of Leakey, upstream from Garner State Park, in 1971. Back then, you could actually climb onto the bank of the river, or dive off the cliffs, without someone calling the sheriff or drawing a bead on you with a 12 gauge.


• Bicycling the 75-mile Fort Davis loop with "Chet" and "Natalie," 1984. This selection proves that time heals all wounds, even if it might leave you with a commemorative limp.


• Listening to dixieland jazz at The Landing on the River Walk in San Antonio on a cool October evening, following a meal at The Little Rhein Steakhouse.


• Scuba diving in the natural-bottomed swimming hole at Balmorhea State Park, chasing catfish and turtles and watching the sand boil where the springs feed the pool.


• Riding my 70cc Honda dirt bike through the pasture west of Fort Stockton, ca. 1966, following a summer shower with the fragrance of the flowering greasewood infusing the air, and the jackrabbits scattering before the tinny onslaught. That pasture is now mostly homes and other development, with fences that strangle the aspirations of young wannabe Wild Ones.


• Eating dinner at The Herb Farm in Fredericksburg during peach season, in order to enjoy their peach vinaigrette salad dressing and the cobbler for dessert

6 places I've never been in Texas (where I wish I could be right now)

• Bicycling the Houston MS 150 with Bret and family, or doing a fast training ride anywhere in north Texas with Foo.


• The Apple Store in Plano. Or, really, any Apple Store in Texas.


• NASA Headquarters, Houston


• The Ballpark, Arlington (World Series or not)


• Running to the top of Guadalupe Peak and back (this is semi-cheating, as I've been to the Peak a couple of times, but I've seen guys running the trail and it would be "fun" to try it someday)


• That bookstore in Archer City that Jim keeps trying to put in West Texas.

OK, I think that about covers it. I'd tag someone else for this, but it's too much trouble so you have to tag yourself. Still, it's a good meme, and I congratulate the Jimster on coming up with it. Perhaps he needs to get less sleep more often.