T-Rex vs. Blind Faith

So, we managed to extricate ourselves from the trial site last Sunday while there was still a lot of daylight left. That gave us our opportunity to spend the night at the very nice campground of the Dinosaur Valley State Park. As a bonus, there were only 3 other campers in the entire park, so we were able to spread out considerably.

We got hooked up, fed the dogs, and went back into Glen Rose for a damn good Italian dinner at Juliany's. (No review links or web page). Second time we've eaten there, and it was just as good this time as the first.

Monday morning we were able to hit a part of the park's extensive hiking trail system. Extensive enough to have a lot of back country camping locations. Our objective, however, was to follow the trail along the river to see the dinosaur tracks, left in the sand over a hundred million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period. The tracks were left by the two critters below,

one vegetarian, one meat eater. The tracks can be seen clearly in the below image, and also in more detail if you click on the new slide show on the sidebar. There's something just really cool about being able to "time travel" like this.

We spent a couple of hours on the trail, ending up at the two models (see the slide show), before returning to the Express to pack up and get out before the very generous 2PM check out time.

As we left the park, we drove by a neighboring enterprise:

The cleverly named, "Creation Evidence Museum". Yin and Yang? Fact and Fantasy? Interesting juxtaposition. We certainly didn't have the time to go in and visit, and I would have most certainly gotten us tossed out if we did. I expect we'd see a model of Fred Flintstone and his pet, Dino. Overall, it appeared pretty low budget. A bigger-budget, much more subversive version is in operation in Kentucky.
Not to worry, though. Look at those teeth. My T-Rex can shred their Dog-ma.

Oregon: The New Georgia.

I didn't think it was possible to be this drunk without being dead. As the story notes, this is the second time in recent months in Oregon for record level plastered women. Gotta be all that rain and snow.

Patience! Stuff Coming.

I'm "borrowing" a computer and satellite signal now, because things are achingly slow out in the motor home, so when we move to a better area, watch for something I'll call "T-Rex vs. Blind Faith".. no it's not a '60s battle of the bands, but some quick ruminations on our brief stay at Dinosaur Valley State Park, (and their not-so-subtle next door neighbor). Also, watch for a new slide show from the park, a very cool place!

Got some links to some recent interesting posts from Steve B. and Patrick. Those who are regulars have probably already seen them.

Will I post something on OSU's latest embarrassing defeat at the hands of the SEC... ? maybe.

Stay tuned.

Oh! Quickly: Pictures from the weekend's trial in Glen Rose, TX are uploaded and ready for viewing at our website... link at right. Pass it on!

Hare-Brained Express Tour '08 Hits the Road

After a relaxing week spent parked at friends in the Houston area, the '08 "tour" logged its first 250 miles today. We're now parked in the RV parking section of that special hell known as a dog show. (Yes ma, I'll wear my galoshes!). Lucky for us, we're not here for the show, of course, we're here for the fun stuff! There's also a lure coursing trial as part of this show, so that's where we'll be tomorrow and Sunday. Glen Rose, Texas. One of these years, while we're here, we'll get over to the Dinosaur Valley State Park. It's supposed to be real cool.

Before we get too far from Richmond, I need to mention something I've let slide a bit recently: Food. We ate at two "Tex-Mex" joints and had barbecue from two places. Of the four, the Swinging Door Barbecue was the best. I like a place that keeps your options to a minimum. Pick a meat, pick a side, and order ya up a Shiner Bock. Or two. I ordered the Super Combo, choosing ribs, brisket, and turkey. "Vegetables" were cole slaw, beans, and potato salad. Check the menu... they were all beyond good. I loved the ribs but, considering the fact I'm not big on turkey as a barbecue item, this was the best I've ever had. Pecan wood smoked and oh, so tender. It was all good.

Today, at the suggestion of our hosts, we stopped on the way to Glen Rose, at Dozier's Meat Market and Barbecue in Fulshear. Sent Margaret in to get some goodies for the fridge; she outdid herself, bringing back pepper bacon, brisket, turkey, smoked sausage, and.... venison! We had cold brisket on bread as we drove, so a more detailed evaluation will have to come later, after we've heated some up and enjoyed it proper!

BLOG UPDATES:

Just need to point out a few new, and revised items on the sidebar. We've removed the AAWC March trial from the shooting schedule, because we found an excuse to stay in New Mexico an extra two weeks. Lure coursing and oval racing in Mountainaire! Looking forward to that. Beautiful location. We looked at some property there a couple of years ago. We'll also be checking out a friend's 40 acres near Deming. One of these years we'll go to New Mexico and not come back. That's the plan, anyway.

See the kinky new counter? Now we can see at a glance, how many are looking at the blog right now, and what country they're in. It's hosted in France. Click on it and see the other fun things they have. There's also a world map, with dots at the very bottom of the page.

And here's a "bleg".. (a beg on a blog): I've brought back the Google ads. I can't tell you to click on them, because that would violate the Google agreement terms, but there are some things on this blog that would help us out greatly if they got opened. Nobody says you have to look at 'em. And that's all I'm going to say about that. The tip jar is gone.

And I don't think I mentioned it on the last go-round of blog "freshening" but if you look almost to the bottom of the sidebar, you'll see the return of our old friend. We're almost down to a year, say hallelujah! Can I get an "amen"?!?!

Britney!

Who cares? Really.
If you got here because you searched "Britney"... get a life.

Deja Vu All Over Again

Steven Dunn/Getty Images

Another day, another feel-good story. And they have more in common than just the Maize and Blue color schemes will lead you to believe. Yesterday, Michigan sent Lloyd Carr out on a winning note. Tonight, in the Fiesta Bowl, West Virginia manhandled Oklahoma to the tune of 48-28. Yesterday, Michigan rolled up over 500 yards in total offense, using good old fashioned Big 10 Smash Mouth Football. Tonight, in the Arizona desert, West Virginia U rolled up over 500 yards in total offense using the "Spread" offense, tweaked to its highest level by former WVU and current (as of today) Michigan coach, Rich Rodriguez. Neither team was given much of a chance against their opponents.

Not only did we get to see the kind of exciting football that will be displayed in Ann Arbor next Fall... (and who doesn't like a bunch of 50+ yard touchdown runs), but we also previewed WVU's "3-3-5 Stack" defense; a defense critics say will never work against Big 10 offenses. Ask Oklahoma how they like it. ;)

So, congratulations to interim (and making a powerful statement for permanance) coach, Bill Stewart and the West Virginia Mountaineers for setting aside the distractions, and getting the job done against the Sooners, and for giving us Michigan fans a glimpse into a rosy future... pun intended.

UPDATE: This just in. It's a done deal.

Finis. With a Flourish!

Capital One Bowl, 2008. Michigan 41, Florida 35. A great finish to Lloyd Carr's career, and for Michigan's seniors. It's amazing what good health, and time to formulate a brilliant game plan will do for a team.

Florida's good, but their defense had no answer to Chad Henne's impersonation of Tom Brady, and Adrian Arrington's Randy Moss. Michigan's defense, however, handled Florida's Heisman winner just well enough to keep him from being a hero. Well done Blue. Brian has a message for sad Gator and SEC fans here .

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The bowl game didn't keep me from channel surfing frequently to the great NHL hockey game being played outdoors in a blinding snowstorm.. in Buffalo freaking New York. I love football, but make no mistake about it: hockey is the most exciting sport in the world. If you missed it, make sure you watch SportCenter, or your local sports report tonight. Hockey like it was meant to be played.