Remember the Alamo!

Recent trip to San Antonio for my birthday. Visit the RiverWalk, The Alamo, see downtown SanAnton.

Learned quite a bit about Texas history and Texas independence.

Such as - The Alamo was actually a slaughter by Mexican Army under Santa Anna and not Native Americans. Not sure why I always thought it was against Native Americans - I'm getting it mixed up with the battle with Geronimo or the Battle of Little Big Horn? American History usually crapped out around the Civil War and focused on the East coast during that time. Don't know much about the rest of American History between 1865 and present.

Also - after that battle, Santa Anna continued on to what is now Baytown and the Houston Ship Channel only to be met by Sam Houston, the future first president of Texas. Fifteen minutes into the Battle of San Jacinto, after crying "Remember the Alamo" Santa Anna was captured and the Mexican Army essentially defeated. Now I understand why the city is named as such, the significance of the San Jacinto monument and holiday.

The riverwalk is a great example of revitalization, landscape architecture, and place making. When one is down in the "river" only small glimpses of streets above are afforded between large, old, and thick trees and other vegetation. The many bridges, vehicular and pedestrian, over the river gives away that there is an upper world allowing frequent and easy access, but again, there is good separation. It was interesting to see the different atmosphere and clientele between each realm: the tourists in the underworld and the, I can only assume, regulars top side. It was also nice to observe some cross pollination between the realms, but I suspect its more tourists visiting top side than the other way around.

Good experience - good to walk - good to sit and people watch, nosh on the side of the river in a cafe atmosphere - good to see the "back" of buildings revitalized - good to see the layers and levels and intense Terra formations of restaurants falling out of the bottom of buildings claiming as much level surface as allowed for tables and sitters. While I have not been to Europe, this is what I would think Europe would be - quite un-American standard.

Spring in the South

For those of you in the North recieving the last? blast of Winter - we in the South like to take day trips to the West, pose and photograph large expanses of wild flowers, and enjoy +80 degree weather. Traveling West on highway 290, one can find folks just pulled over on the side of the road enjoying large patches of bluebells and other varieties of wild flowers. You see couples, families, lots of little kids nestled in the flowers - and all on the side of the highway; and it's okay. After a few back roads where large ranches and country homes are peppered about, we passed through Brenham - and old town with a revitalized, antique ladden downtown. First settled by Germans in the mid 1800's, fed by the Sante Fe railroad and various industries, Brenham host many festivals or is in close proximity to many festivals throughout the year. Lots of renovated (some better than others) and some decrepit structures to photograph. Good day today.

Seth Petersen Cottage

Nestled in Mirror Lake State Park in Wisconsin, the Frank Llyod Wright designed Seth Petersen Cottage was a beautiful experience for romantic weekend getaway. Just South of the Wisconsin Dells, the state park and cottage has ready access to the amenities of the town while offering the opportunity to hide yourself away for a few days, to get lost in the wilderness, and be.

The hand operated gated drive introduces the pace and tone of the experience: deliberate movements, experience. After the vehicular procession through the gate, closing it behind you blocking out unwanted visitors and the hectic world beyond, a winding gravel/dirt road lined with wooden lanterns leads you seemingly deep into the woods of the park. It was mid March with a warm trend, lows of 40's and highs of 60's, but small patches of snow remained in strategic areas among the bare but dense forest. At the end of the trail was the cottage. Both perched and nestled on a hill top overlooking Mirror Lake, its external presence was meek. Through a screened door (screens on every opening as the original design from '53 had no A/C) and through a slim, tall double door - warmth enveloped you like a mother's warm blanket after being caught in a cold rain. The first breath was dripping with campfire. Combined with the warm orange glow of the sun splashed great room, I had the impression I was walking into the smoldering embers of deep and passionate fire.

While the space was only 880 sqft with two rooms an a bath, there was still clear division of spaces and sequence as the experience unfolded. The hearth facilitated the separation of entry/kitchen and living space when first entering the space. Around the corner of the hearth, another thin passage lead to the cave-like sleeping room with bathroom deeper yet. Once inside of the space, the hearth and the stone vocabulary unified the space; the different "rooms," including the outdoor rooms, now separated by subtle items: view, glass and frames, furniture.

The primary sitting porch overlooking the lake was where we spent most of the day on Monday: sipping hot chocolate, bathing in sunlight, watching the birds feast and squirrels quarrel. The music of the breeze blown evergreens and trees was soothing and timeless. I was happy time did not pass quickly, nor did I feel the urge to move on or do something - we were doing what we were to do. Only by the waning sun, did we acknowledge that dinner reservations were looming and we should greet the outer world.

I can't think of a more beautiful experience with the love of my life - my partner - and now my fiance.

Get'n Old

ya know how you always heard about the good 'ole days? meat used to be good because it came from a butcher - bread was fresh and real because it came from a baker: the people in your neighborhood, the people that you meet each day. Legos aren't what they used to be. At one time, my time, Legos were building blocks for imaginations. they would supply you with the intended result, but they left room for alterations, some good and some bad, but the point was the toy allowed that freedom and rebellion from the "plan". maybe that's where "problem with authority" comes from. And if you had a hard time getting the creativity thawed, there were some helpful suggestions on the back of the box leading you to possibility. What a deal: no less than 3 toys in one box with many more on the way. Anymore, Legos are so specialized to the scenario and "interactive" - that is, pieces are expelled by their own power and "for real" - that Legos have really lost value. Turn the box around and the back shows you how many projectiles fly off of the toy, that one toy configuration, that you had to build to use. sucker. I just saw a commercial for a book that "reads" to kids - batteries, but no parent, required.