Hermit Dam

8 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

Our family, Ivan, Dora, DiVoran, andDavid moved to Westcliffe after Dad came home from WWII. We lived in the Wet Mountain Valley with the Sangre de Cristo Range to the west of us.

 

 

 

This is part of the 9.6-mile road to Hermit Dam. Nowadays it is considered one of the most dangerous roads in America and one of the ten highest in Colorado. The road becomes a trail before you get to the lake, so you must get out of your four-wheeled vehicle and walk. No horses are allowed on the road or on the trail. I have a bit of news about that. Tell you later.

 

Hermit Lake

 

Dad became involved withthe local men who hunted and fished in the mountains. He enjoyedhelpingstock the lake with Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, and Brook trout from a small private airplane. He also took tourists on tours up into the mountains, on horseback.

By the time he was eight, David was a better horseman than I, so he would ride Dixie, a skittish paint, and I’d ride Derby a more gentle soul. One time going back down, we got ahead of the parents and came to a fork in the trail. In that spot we were on flat ground, so we decided to gallop. David and Dixie went first and as always, Derby and I followed their hard pace. Then the trail forked and Dixie took the left side. Fully expecting my horse to follow I leaned left. This was one time, however,that my horse sense failed me. Derby served to the right and I flew off, thus receiving my first flying lesson. Thank the Lord I was not hurt. The parents were still lollygagging behind and never knew a thing about our shenanigans.

Another time I went swimming in a freezing cold alpine lake made by a beaver dam. When I got out I couldn’t stop shivering, but everybody thought I was pretty brave, so it was worth it.

One fine spring day we were in the mountains and mother made a camping stew. We always kidded her that she put everything in the pot including cans of sardines and peaches. This particular day, she found dandelions growing and stripped them of their leaves to cook apart from the stew. She had been a campfire girl and knew a lot about camping and nature. She would never pull a wildflower out by the roots because then they wouldn’t be able to grow again. As we sat down to eat, giant snowflakes fell, but it was only one of those spring storms and uskids enjoyed catching the cold flakes on our tongues.

When I grew up, I married Bill and we had two children. Bill got laid off from work at the Cape and we took a six-week camping trip out west with our children.

We went to Westcliffe so the kids could see the schools I’d gone to, and where I had lived with my family. While we were there, I urged Bill to go on up to Hermit Lake so they could all see where good times with my family took place. We didn’t know it required a four-wheelvehicle. I will let Bill tell you rest:

 

“This was the roughest road (if you could call it a road) I had ever traveled in any kind of vehicle.  Here we were in a 1958 Ford station wagon (adjusted for sea level operations), pulling a pop-up camper up that one-lane road to an altitude of almost 12,000 feet.  Once we started up that road, we had to keep going.  At some points,we were moving no faster thana slow walk, having to steer around large boulders.

“I was getting worried that we would not be able to find a place to turn aroundwhen after two hours we came to the end of the nine miles of road. Luckily there was a flat space just large enough that we could turn around. Since it was getting dark we decided to set up the camper and spend the night there. Even though it was summertime, at that altitude the night was cold. The next morning we cooked breakfast, packed up the camper and got ready to head back to Westcliffe.  Well,guess what?  The car wouldn’t start!

It seems we had developed tiny cracks in the spark plugwires.  Now, with the air at this high altitude being so thin, the spark was jumping from the spark plugwires to the block, and not to the plugs. I removed the wire from each plug, cleaned and dried it, wrapped electrical tape around it, and reinstalled it. That coupled with the rising afternoon temperature, seemed to do the trick. With the car running, we now embarked on our two-hour adventure back down the mountain to Westcliffe.  WOW– What a trip!  I sure don’t want to ever have to make a trip like that again.

As I remember it, the reason we didn’t walk on up to the lake that morning was that the clouds were covering the mountain below us and we could barely see the road to get down, so we wouldn’t have been able to see the lake which was higher than where we camped.”

 

Thanks, Bill, not only for writing your take on itbut for getting us out of every jam we’ve been in for most of our lives. I thank God for you.

For years I’ve thought my life was regular and uneventful, but when I look back now and see the things I was privileged to participate in I know I had many adventures that perhaps others had not had. I also thank God for my mother, father, and brother and for all the things we did together.

Here’s a YouTube link that shows the road to Hermit Dam as it is now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iRqcN1Ozv0

 

 

 

Author, Poet and Artist

 

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Caution; you might not be following God’s Will

7 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Caution; you might not be following God’s will.

 

 

Reblogged July 7, 2018

Poor doggie, July 4th is a torture for him. My friend’s puppy had to be protected from the noisy fireworks that blasted his furry ears.

For him they were a nightmare, for me the sound of July 4th fireworks reminds me of a dream come true.

New Citizen of the United States

A few decades ago my parents chose to make the U.S. our home. Soon after, we received our residency papers and five years later, the big day arrived.

We entered a large court room. The red, white and blue of the American flag covered the front wall.

“Raise your right hand,” the immigration official instructed me and my family. And with gratitude bursting in us, we pledged our allegiance to the United States. At the same time, we renounced our allegiance to our native country of Bolivia.

My Citizenship in God

Oh, how I wish I had made that same pledge giving my allegiance to God’s plans and His will. I didn’t. Instead, I vowed to follow my own.

And, with misdirected passion, I crafted the blueprint for my life—get married, have healthy beautiful children, enjoy financial security, serve God and watch our grandchildren grow up around us with love overflowing.

That was the path to happiness I envisioned, and the plans I designed. But God had a different path. His didn’t match my own. And that’s when the battle began. I clung to my plans and resisted His.

Have you done that? You formed simple expectations, nothing extravagant, nothing complicated. And when least expected, your world turns upside down with disappointment dragging with it unwanted heartache.

The reason is our plans have great intentions, but flawed expectations. They hold a specific image of what life should be but lack the foresight of what life often brings.

There’s good news.

Sweet freedom begins when we let God’s will rule. We allow His will to dictate our moments, order our days and design our future.

To accomplish that, He invites us to step in the courtroom of His love. Raising our right hand, we pledge to renounce those unrealistic dreams, those flawed plans. And turn our allegiance to His plans instead.

And should nights turn lonely and the black of sadness close in, those plans of His speak tranquil reassurance to our soul.

Jesus gave us the secret to that tranquility. He came to His knees with similar sorrow and, in the midst of pain, He said: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

He relinquished to God’s Will. He gave up His own. He stepped away from His desires and invited God’s instead.

What were the results?

He suffered still, but victory came. He was crucified, but glory followed. He took His last breath, but when he came back alive, He breathed in us life eternal.

And today in the midst of all the ugliness of life, we do the same. We declare, “Not my will, but yours, Lord.” And His will takes over. Makes the way. Opens doors. Erases fear. Heals the wounds. Pours grace and makes the impossible possible.

What will it take for you to surrender and pledge your allegiance to God’s divine will?

Some inspiration for you.

I cherish your notes and comments. Please send them on. And if you need inspiration and a good summer read, dance over to www.janetperececkles.com and get your own copy of Simply Salsa—my book showing you the simplicity of living out the abundance of life.

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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Memory Lane Trip Part 3

4 Jul

A Slice of Life

Bill LItes

 

 

Day 3 – Thursday 4/19/2018 (Continued)

Continuing today’s activities, the next place I visited was the Lone Star Flight Museum located in south-Houston, TX.  I had visited this museum several years ago when it was located in Galveston, TX.  I believe one of the last hurricanes that devastated the Gulf coast convince them to move north. Their new facility is much larger and very clean. They have a nice collection of beautifully restored Warbirds that all are in flying condition.  In fact, one of their AT-6 Texan aircraft had just taxied out for a flight as I pulled up the museum.  After getting photos of all their planes, one of the volunteers helped me locate the Flying Legends Museum building just a few blocks away, adjacent to the runway.  However, they were closed, and when I called the museum, they said all of their planes had been moved to North Dakota for the summer. Ah shucks!

 

 

Now I headed over toward the west part of Houston to visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum located adjacent to the William P. Hobby Airport.  I had tried to visit this museum on one of my past trips through this area, but it was closed at the time.  The museum displays memorabilia and artifacts related to the rapidly developing air travel services in and around the Houston area in the late 1930s and early 1940s.  Originally built in early 1940, the Art Deco styled air terminal serviced the Houston area’s air transportation needs until the introduction of jet aircraft required a larger airport.  This museum is a work in progress, as it had been setting unoccupied for over 25 years. The restoration project started in 2003, and has been underway steadily ever since.  They still have lots of work to do on the interior of the building, as replicating much of the Art Deco styling is very time consuming and hard to find skilled workers who know how it should be done.

 

 

Not far away I was planning to visit the Houston Bicycle Museum to see what it was all about, but they were closed.  Their website informed me that they display a collection of antique and classic bicycles and cycling related memorabilia and artifacts dating from the 1850s.

 

 

While I was in the area, just down the street, I visited the Buffalo Soldiers Museum.  I really never did find out who was sponsoring the “Restaurant Week” celebration there at the museum that day.  Just as I got to the museum, a steady stream of people with all kinds of wonderful looking food dishes were arriving.  I ventured into the large room where I thought the museum artifacts would be displayed, but the whole area had been cleared and set up with tables and food displays. I would love to have filled a plate and joined the festivities, but it was obvious the party had not started yet.  Besides that, I don’t think it would have gone over well, with the some of the participants, for the only white person there to be first in line.

 

 

By now the sun was beginning to finish its days’ travels, so I headed for the motel there in Houston. Tonight I enjoyed my Saltgrass Baby Back Ribs again.  The full rack of ribs they gave me at the restaurant was enough to feed two people for two full meals, so I was able to make them last me for three meals.  Yummm again!!!

 

 

 

—–To Be Continued—–

 

 

 

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 58 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, writing blogs for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

Bill’s favorite Scripture is: Philippians 1:6

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Fireworks

2 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

 

 

The Fourth of July is a fine celebration of the freedoms won and wrangled for us. Churches and families have get-togethers and picnics and later in the day the sky lights up with exploding stars. I always think of the Star Spangled banner “…and the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that the flag was still there.”

“After all,John Adams did say he hoped the anniversary of independence would be marked for years to come by “guns” and “bonfires” and “illuminations.” Because the first July 4 fireworks display happened in the middle of the Revolutionary War, some historians believe they were supposed to be a “morale booster.” The celebrations at the time would have also included the firing of cannons and guns, adding to the explosive nature of the festivities. With the war’s end and increasing concern for public safety, those firearms were eventually phased out of the celebrations and replaced almost entirely by the fireworks, which were often given the official stamp of approval in the hope of drawing citizens to public celebrations instead of more dangerous private firework shows.”

Do all boys and men love fire or just 99% of them? Bill is one of the Ordnance engineers who was responsible for the second stage/interstage separation system of the Saturn V Moon rocket that you sometimes see on TV.  And our son, Billy, is now an environmentalist who never misses a controlled burn to keep the woods healthy if he can help it. I jokingly call the two of them pyromaniacs. I use the word lightly, though. The on-line synonyms are arsonist, firebug, and incendiary. It always startled me when I called Bill at work and the person who picked up answered with, “Pyro!” But, they probably meant pyrotechnics, not pyromaniacs.

 

 

Anyhow, when the kids were small we always drove down to the river to watch the fireworks off the cape. AND one of the most enchanting things the Bills liked to do when we went camping was to build our campfire and if a grill was available to start it up, too. They’ve always used fire safely, except once for the younger Bill. One day, he found a match and thought he’d just burn a little dry grass behind the house to see the pretty fire, but it quickly got out of hand and someone called the fire department. By the time we got the fire out we heard the whee, whee, whee, of the fire engine in front of our house. Two burly firemen came around to the backyard and one of them asked. “Who did this?”

“Me sir,” Billy said pulling up to his full Cub Scout height.

The fireman seemed gentle and understanding, but Billy’s voice quaked as he explained what he had done and exactly how he had done it.

Then the fireman had his say. “Now son, you know you could have burned down some woods here and maybe even some houses. You look like a fine young man to me, you don’t want to be arrested for arson do you?”

“No, sir!” Billy said, even though he couldn’t have recognized the word arson.

As the fire engine pulled away, Billy was more excited about the fireman talking man to man with him than afraid. He always remembered, then, to be as careful as his dad had continually taught him to be.

The great and beloved Christian, Peter Marshall said, “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Thank you, Lord.

 

 

So okay, I concede, God probably has reasons for putting a love of fire into men. Protecting, and eating would the most obvious, but celebrating is good too, especially if you’re safe with it.

 

 

 

 

 

Author, Poet and ArtistDiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Another Amazing Serendipity

1 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

Sometimes these serendipity things just bound out of nowhere, right into our line of sight.  They are such fun, and we enjoy them so much.

Just recently, we had another amazing serendipity happen.  We were heading into the parking lot at the local Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Country Store, when I spied a car with an advertisement on the side of the front door. What caught my eye was the name “Kathy Wills.”  There was a young lady walking away from the car, and toward the eatery.

 

Credit Google Search

 

I told Fred about it.  Now one might not think that is too life-changing, and one would be right about that.  However, it is rather unusual to see or meet someone else with the name “Wills.”

We parked and went into the restaurant. After being seated, I began searching the restaurant for the young lady I saw.  Couldn’t find her.  Shucks! So I went back to our table.  When Fred saw the car, I thought I would give another look to trying to find this young lady…and I did this time.  I stopped her and said, “I think you are who I want to talk to.”  She looked curiously at me. Then I asked if she was in the car with the “Kathy Wills” sign on it, and she said “yes.”  Then I told her that our last name is also “Wills.”

Her face lit up and she said, “really?  I’ve never known anyone else with that last name.” She seemed quite excited and delighted to find someone else with “Wills” as their last name.  She proceeded to her table, with me in tow, and she announced to her parents and brother that we were also “Wills.”  Brother seemed dis-interested.  Mom didn’t have anything to say.  But Dad and young lady were quite interested.

 

Credit Google Search and Cracker Barrel Website

 

Dad asked where our“Wills” came from.  When I said New Jersey, he said his family came from West Virginia. Probably a connection there somewhere along the line, but don’t know where.

As I left them, Dad said it was nice to meet me, and God bless.  I was most impressed.

After our meal, I took Fred to meet this family. I asked if they were from Orlando or just passing through.  They are just passing through, and live in Panama City, Florida – in the Panhandle. Well! We lived in Panama City for five years! They told us they lived just over the bridge from Tyndall AFB, where we had spent those five years!

 

Photo credit WJHG.com
 Credit Google search

 

Young lady asked if we ever get called “Willis” – and I groaned out that it was “all the time!”  Or “Wells” or even “Mills!”  They all agreed. We told them that “Wills” is an English/Scot name, and they were interested.  I told them that both of Fred’s parents were from the same Scot clan – the Gunn clan.

 

Gunn Clan Crest and tartan Credit Google Search

 

 

Dad said that he was considering doing a genealogy search.  I told him it was a lot of fun to do so.

It truly is a small world.  What a fun memory for us.  God is good to give us these fun times.

 

 

 

 

JUDYJudy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years.
Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.
She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.
They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born.
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing.
She was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.
Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer.
She also enjoys scrapbooking.
She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins.
She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

 

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Where’s My Bag?

30 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by SIght

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Reblogged June 30, 2018

If you’re like me, while traveling, your mind wonders with possibilities. Unable to see, I sometimes think about someone walking away with my bag or me grabbing someone else’s suitcase. Despite those thoughts flashing through at times, I still travel with no worries.

But, on one trip, that very thing happened. The plane landed, and armed with patience and chatting our time away, my friend and I sat in our seats waiting for other passengers to disembark. Suddenly, my friend calls out, “That’s my bag!”

Someone had slipped her bag from the overhead compartment and was pulling it away down the aisle.

Good thing she noticed. In addition to her laptop, she had stored valuable material she worked hours to create.

Promises from Psalm 103

Sad, isn’t it? When we least expect it, we can risk losing something critical, something that belongs to us, something we hold dear, valuable and essential. But in the airport of life, the truly crucial possessions of the soul that no one can take away are outlined in Psalm 103:

  • No one can rob our self-assurance because we always remember all God’s benefits-and He who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.
  • No one can rob our hope because He redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion.
  • Nothing can snatch our expectation for good things because He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
  • No one can steal our strength when facing attacks because the LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
  • When feeling guilty or condemned, nothing can rob His love because the LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
  • Reassurance for mercy belongs to us because He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever.
  • His comfort is ours because He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.
  • Freedom of forgiveness has our name written on it because as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

How’s that for good news? When traveling through life, have you marked all those attributes with your name? They belong to us; God meant for us to engrave them in the label of our heart. And if the enemy is trying to sneak them down the aisle of your life, claim them with all you got!

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for your many promises. Thank you that we can use them to defeat the enemy. Thank you for being completely trustworthy, and full of mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

 

 

 

Janet Eckles Perez

 

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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Love For A Thousand Generations

29 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Today I choose to walk in God’s love rather than the world’s anger.

 

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The Good Things

28 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

“The more you look for good things in your life, the clearer your vision becomes..” This morning as I read these words in Jesus Always by Sarah Young, I pondered on how true this is in my life. My friend and fellow blogger, Janet Perez Eckles shared this on Facebook.

 

Just think, every single hurt or aggravation is the past, even if it is only seconds old. I confess to needing to inhale a lot more of Jesus daily.

 

Focusing on good things

 

Earlier in the week, I snapped pictures of the blooms in our yard as well as the progress of our tomato plants. The Dahlia is the first we have managed to bring to bloom. When our daughter comes to visit, I hope she can get a better picture with her camera. The plant has more blooms waiting to open!

 

 

 

 

We have had abundant rain, bordering on excessive and our tomato plants are doing well. So far, the Tomato worms have not climbed the table to eat them. I wonder if I scatter Diatomaceous Earth around the base of the table, if it will deter them. The basil we planted in one of the boxes on the advice of our daughter, is doing well too and I look forward to some tomato, basil and mozzarella Caprese salads!

 

 

From my kitchen window, I have been noticing a bright splash of yellow. As I walked the yard, I was thrilled to see that it was blooms on  my newly planted yellow Knock Out Rose. Since it wasn’t planted until recently, I didn’t expect the blooms yet!

 

 

In the same area a couple of Day Lillies are blooming and down below the Hydrangea are showing off their blue beauty.

 

 

When we built our house in North Carolina, our friend Bill, who owned a summer home here, was a master gardener and gave us many cuttings to add to our landscape. Our Rose of Sharon plant is one of them and its blooms herald the beginning of summer. Also from Bill, our Butterfly Bush is making a decent comeback after a hard freeze two years ago.

 

Update on my computer refusing to give up its data to my new one:

The new computer is now the owner of the old computer’s data and I am enjoying the speed of the new one.  My husband was right, this is the oe I should have purchased.

I’m sure you have heard the saying “Good things come in small packages.”  But good things aren’t limited to a package are they? They are everywhere. What good things are you focusing on this week? 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a winnerAfter my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

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Memory Lane Trip~Part 3

27 Jun

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

 

Day 3 – Thursday 4/19/2018

 

After breakfast this morning I took a little side trip, off of I-10, north on SR-27 to visit the Dequincy Rail Road Museum located in Dequincy, LA.  This was a very small museum and I got there before they opened. I took a photo of their steam locomotive #124 and their restored 1923 railroad Depot, and then headed on down the road to the next museum.

 

 

Next on the list this morning took me across the border into Texas, where I visited the Fire Museum of Texas located in Beaumont, TX. This is the restored 1927 Beaumont fire engine station, which displays several beautifully restored pieces of 19th century firefighting apparatus, and several fire engines/hook & ladder fire engines from the early and mid-20thcentury.

 

 

While I was in Beaumont, and just a few blocks away, I also visited the Texas Energy Museum.  This was a very large modern museum with exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia that major on the progress that the state of Texas realized, as a result of the development of the local oil industry.

 

 

Just around the corner from the Texas Energy Museum was the small restored Travis Street Electrical Sub-station, which has been converted into The Edison Museum.  This small sub-station gives the visitor a view of how electrical power was transferred for residential and commercial use back in early 1929, to keep the city of Beaumont lighted and running.

 

Next on the list was a visit to The Clifton Steamboat Museum located some 12 miles west of Beaumont. This museum was created by Mr. D. H. Clifton, who was an avid fan of Civil War maritime technology. The museum is filled with beautiful renderings of Civil War maritime battles and miniature models of many of the Civil War battleships and Ironclad’s of the period.  Mr. Clifton took it upon himself to single-handedly rescued the 1938 tugboat “Hercules” that was scheduled for the scrap yard, and moved it to his museum location in 1994.  Old “Hercules” could stand a new coat of paint in my opinion.

 

 

Now I headed west on I-10 again, to visit the Royal Purple Raceway (Now called Houston Raceway) located in Baytown, TX.  This huge sports complex includes a ¼ mile dragstrip (NHRA) and a 3/8 mile oval dirt track.  The pit area is large enough to accommodate 400 racing rigs, and the spectator viewing area seats 30,000.  The activity was electric at the raceway the day I was there, but sorrowfully it was all in preparation for the weekend event that I would miss.  Maybe I’ll catch an event next time I’m in the area.

 

 

I had no idea of what a big mistake I would be making when next I tried to visit the Battleship Texas (BB-35) located in La Porte, TX.  Road construction was terrible and had Greta so confused she couldn’t find the location. This was complicated by the fact that coming on the shortest route from Baytown, she had me using ferries which I didn’t have time for.  So, after several tries, I just gave up and headed for my next museum.

 

 

 

Note: This day’s activities will be continued next week.

 

—–To be Continued—–

 

 

 

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 58 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, writing blogs for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

Bill’s favorite Scripture is: Philippians 1:6

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In The Woods

26 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

 

Have you ever been in a difficult situation and you have cried out for help, waited on a word of encouragement and felt despair attempting to wash your heart in endless tears?  In my Monday morning quiet time, this verse resonated with my heart.  I found this picture of my husband. It brought a smile to my heart so just for fun, I created this graphic and decided to share it with our readers. Just in case you have ever felt this way. You are not alone.

 

 

 

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