THIS IS WHAT I DO. I KNIT, I COOK, I SEW, I MAKE THINGS, AND I TRAVEL, AS OFTEN AS I CAN.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

West Texas Pictures part 2.

The backyard at my brother's house. Looking sort of Southeast.
And looking South... see that rise in the center of the picture? That's a huge mesa, Jeff rode his little pit bike all the way over there one day and then called me. I got the binocs and spotted him on the ridge.

Di in the garden. She's very proud of her produce.
As with every first garden, there's always an abundance of something... this year it's squash. We ate squash at almost every meal.

Momma and baby Longhorns were everywhere.
more babies.
They don't even move when you drive up to them.

And if you get too close to the babies they will come after you. I later learned this is the meanest one.
From across the tank.
First catch of the day.
Later Michael and Jeff worked on getting the TV out on the patio.
BEEE-utiful!
So peaceful!
Some may think it's odd to have such fire-power strapped to the dashboard of your jeep. We don't. There was also a rifle mounted just above the sunvisors.
Nice fish! (sorry it's blurry, I was watching for cows.)
That fish broke his $16 fishing pole......

Michael went out to try to get the herd to come up closer...
...and they did, this bull's name is Brisket. I wonder if they have plans for him later on?
Michael and I left the fishermen and went back to the house to prepare breakfast ...
Di was on the phone setting up her next commercial, she produces commercials. I think this one involves Tiger Woods and some sheep.

Voila' breakfast taco, with guacamole, salsa and sour cream and some bacon. YUM!
See they do have some bigger trees on the ranch, it's not all mesquites.
This area is set up for campfires and picnics, with benches and tables, there is a creek just behind those bushes behind Jeff.
Key West may brag about their sunsets, but I think we have something to brag about too.
The next morning Nita and I spotted these two Vinagaroons on a stroll around the outside of the yard.
Wildflowers
There they go again.... off to the tank to fish.
Look! A baby deer! It's at the edge of the water on the right side of the pond.
Michael's house.
This is the 'red' house, where we stayed. It was once a hunting lodge.
Yes, that's a Bobcat. It's a pet of one of Michael's friends. It started storming shortly after this picture was made and put a huge damper on our trip to the lake to watch the Fourth of July Fireworks.
Sunday morning and someone was telling us it was time to go home.... still pouring down raining. I was sitting in the courtyard of the 'red' house looking toward the screened BBQ room.
The Barn Swallows didn't like me being there, but after they figured out that I was going to sit still, they began zooming in and out all around my head. They have the navigation skills of a bat.
Here are some pictures of the inside of the 'red' house. From the kitchen door looking into the dining room with the living room beyond.


Looking from the dining room into the living room.













Another angle of the living room. This house is like a museum. There are thousands of things to look at in here.












Looking back toward the dining room and bar.















Looking into the kitchen from the dining room. That stove was awesome! There are two commercial size refrigerators on the left side of this room. They would put on yearly company parties at this house. They are set up to accommodate around 100 people for a party.








And one last picture for the Meerkat Crew.

That's what I did on my summer vacation. Going to a place like this, sure makes a trip to West Texas worth going.

THANKS Michael and Di for having us at your house for the weekend.

10 comments:

Travis and Maggie said...

What a fantastic place! (except for the vinagaroons! You know we had one climb into bed with us one night in AZ.! Still creeps me out to think of that night!)

Polkadot said...

Awesome pics.
Awesome commentary.
Love the bobcat!
OOh look! It's Maggie and Travis!
Ahoy!!!!

THIS IS ME....ONLINE said...

Fabulous place! I do love those views. Surprised you came home!

But now I'm REALLY hungry for breakfast. Wish I had some tortillas....

judith said...

Jody is REALLY creeped out by Vinegroons too. He said they communicate with each other by clicking their claws. As a kid he could hear them in their house. It was Nita's first time to see them. We woke Jeff to come see them, he wasn't happy, but he was creeped out.

I've never met anyone who didn't enjoy their visit to the ranch. It's so peaceful there. We only had the TV on one night, when it was srormy and we couldn't sit out by the pool. You can really loose track of what day of the week it is.

Northern musings said...

That looks like a slice of heaven.... just beautiful!

Godinla said...

I don't care if I say the same things that everybody already said. Great pix, lady! Bobcat! Amazing. Stop showing so much good lookin' food, I'm still tryin' to lose weight! Now, I'm hungry again.

Where the hell did you get all that sky?

judith said...

NM, funny you should say that, we like to call it Paradise! My niece once told me and the kid's on one of our first trips there (she was only about 6) "ya'll are going to love it here, it's like Paradise! Horse poop everywhere!"

Brian, it's good I didn't show you the spread from Saturday's BBQ, brisket, baby back ribs, cornbread, etc. Oh, and not to mention, Nita made Chicken Croquettes Wed. night, and then a Roast Thurs. or Friday, I can't remember. As Jody would say, "we ate like tied up mules."

Duder said...

AHHHHHHHH. What is a Vinagaroon? They click to communicate? Sounds like something out of a horror movie.
Seriously? Great pics. Looks like an amazing trip. I hope one day I get the chance to visit Texas.

judith said...

Duder, we'd love to have you. Everyone should come to Texas... "It's Like A Whole Other Country." (btw that's the line they use for state tourism)

Maja said...

Wow that looks so cool!