Dallas...

Over the fourth of July weekend we flew to Dallas. I have not been home to see my mother or anyone since I left back in October. We had a great time despite the oppressive heat. We rented a car and had to drive all over town and way the heck out to McKinney to see my mother. We also had a pool party on Saturday and had a blast and got to see everyone in one afternoon. So it was nice to get home, have good mexican food, and see everyone. In the end though I came to the realization that I really didn't miss Dallas as much as I though I did. I missed being able to hop a train and be anywhere in a matter of minutes. Instead we had to drive all over creation. Needless to say I was ready to get back to Chicago! We returned on the evening of the 4th so we decided to walk up to Belmont Harbor and watch the fire works at Navy Pier. When we got there (along with our big gulp cups full of spirits) we totally stopped watching Navy Pier because some private donors, upset that Chicago canceled their own show, decided to put on their own display at the harbor and it was fantastic! It was a great ending to a trip and a great beginning of the week.

Austin Trip...

So I flew to Austin earlier this month and had a great time despite the heat. Ugh, the heat was simply oppressive. It is hotter there a bit earlier than usual. We went out to Steelhouse Hollow Lake for some swimming, kayaking, and RVing. The RV was located in a cove and we had no neighbors the entire time we were there. The wind was awful and the heat was an absolute beat down. I burned really quickly and was just worn out from the heat. I have been enjoying the Chicago temps and am just not used to Texas heat anymore. But the water was really clear and cold so that was a nice relief.

Upcoming Dallas Trip...

We are headed for a brief Dallas visit the weekend of July 1-4. Can't wait to get my MiCocina on!

Fort Worth...

This past Saturday Ron and I decided to break from our tradition of doing nothing and took the train over to downtown Fort Worth. The trip was about an hour and not very scenic. There were unruly children on the train. Cute but I pictured them being thrown from the train over an overpass.

We visited the lovely water gardens. My first thought was “this is where all those people drowned a few years ago…lets check it out.” The gardens were actually very interesting. After our fill of water we decided to find food as we were both starving. We make our way to the Sundance Square area and I was shocked at how nice everything was. There were people everywhere and businesses were thriving. There were restaurants, coffee shops, and clothing stores galore. I just could not believe it. Downtown Fort Worth made Downtown Dallas look like the beaten step-child one would keep in the cabinet under the stairs. It was almost embarrassing. Dallas is a huge fan of tearing down old historic buildings where FW has renovated them and turned them into businesses and residences. It was all just so beautiful. We definitely plan on returning soon to explore more.

Hello Dolly...

The storm is here. Hurricane Dolly is now a category 2 . Luckily the power here is still on. However the itensity is getting worse. What is worrying us is that Dolly has stalled and it just might head slightly north of Brownsville. If that happens then we will probably leave Port Aransas. We are already in the red zone and the surf is at 12' and expected to be 18'. There are tornadoes in Corpus Christi. So, we are going to stay for right now. We have had one major band come in and the rain was sideways and doors inside the house opened by themselves. The pressure was really bad. But now it has let up for now.

A Storm is a-brewin'...

Oh lovely, a hurricane is headed our way! Right now it is tropical storm Dolly. It is expected to be a category 1 hurricane before it hits this afternoon. Port Aransas is under a hurricane warning but there are no evacuation being ordered. We are staying. Actually we can't wait! All the bars here are thrilled as it should be a huge party. Some businesses are closing and boarding up. The clouds are coming in and we will head down to the beach in a while before the rain hits. A few years ago we were here during hurricane Emily and we had a blast.

No Longer Loyal...

In just a couple of weeks I will be headed to Port Aransas for my yearly week of sitting my ass on the beach and drinking cheap beer and boxed wine. I am flying to Austin then heading down from there. I will not be flying on American Airlines. The airline as discontinued its service from Love Field to Austin. I would have to fly out of DFW. It takes longer to drive/train to DFW from downtown than it does to actually fly from DFW to Austin. I am also fed up with the lateness of AA. But the largest factor here is the price. Booked 2 weeks in advance the round trip on AA is $445.00 for a 30 minute flight. Sorry American, but it is time for a divorce. So I will be flying Southwest from Love Field at a price of $150.00. I still think that is a little high but I think that coming back on a Friday is what is causing the price increase. Oh well, at least it isn’t 445.00.

Choctaw Casino...

We felt the need to get out of town. Even if for just a few hours. We were supposed to attend a birthday party but decided instead to head north to Durant, OK with some friends to gamble at Choctaw Casino and Resort. I am not certain just what their definition of "resort" is.

We left around 6:30 and we were starving. We stop in Sherman, I think, at McDonalds because everything else looked just way to "k"ountry. Have you seen that video with the retarded kid singing "Ding, fries are done....would you like an apple pie with that?" If not then click the link at the bottom. Well, the dining experience was like that. I ordered a quarter pounder with cheese, dry and got blank stares from William who looked like and sounded like a girl but had one of those chins reserved for morbidly obese, which he wasn't, or someone like Corky from that tv show whose name escapes me.

Anyway, after eating at the special McDonald's we get to Durant, OK. We go in and the place was packed! This place ain't Vegas. If you do not smoke then a few moments spent in this casino now qualifies you as a chain smoker. Luckily there was a non-smoking room however, it resembled the special kids table in high school. Ron and I set a high-rolling budget of 20 bucks each. We work hard for our money and would rather not flush it down the drain. I love playing the nickel and quarter slots so that is what I did. On my first bet I won $17 and was content on being done for the evening. Overall, I lost it all. The biggest disappointment/relief was that this was a non-alcohol serving casino. Had there been booze involved then I am sure we would have had a better time while dropping next month's rent payment. Since there was no booze served then we left after about an hour. At this point we just could not breathe with all the smoke. Unlike Shreveport and Vegas this place did not have the nice air filtration systems.

Overall, we had a good time. We consider our losses a mere donation to the Choctaw tribes of Oklahoma. Now I am off to buy Nicorrette.

Ding! Fries are done:

New York in Spring...

Isn't there a song about New York City in the spring?  I think there is and if there isn't then there should be.  I just recently was in New York City to visit my friends and fellow BP's The Hazard's.  The weather was absolutely fabulous!  I just could not believe it.  I arrived Friday night, delayed of course.  I walked out of the airport to locate my car service and it was somewhat misting/raining and all I wanted to do was to rip off my glasses but then I would not be able to find my car if it was two inches from me.  I make my way into Manhattan chauffeured in a silver Town Car/Indian restaurant whose special that evening was beef kabobs-heavy on the curry.  The only English I could understand of my turban clad friend was "car 970, cross street, thirty-four dollars."  I lost interest in his musings as we crossed into Manhattan.  That view should be one of the wonders of the world!  When I arrived I declared that I MUST EAT NOW!  The rain had stopped and Ms. Hazard and I walk over to Charlie's Pizza.  Look for a review of Charlie's soon from Forkboy.  

The next morning I awoke from the light of a thousand suns and it was only 5am.  Lying on the sofa I should have brought my sunscreen.  Saturday was such a beautiful day that it would have been a crime to stay inside.  Our purpose that morning was to get ready and head over to a memorial service of a friend who passed away way to soon.  The memorial was very nice and there were a ton of people there.  She will be missed by many and I only wish I had known her more. 

So, afterwards we head back to the apartment to change clothes and head out to an early dinner.  In true Hazard fashion we walked to the East Village.  I am starving and searching out a pretzel with none to be found.  We end up at A Casa Fox, a Nicaraguan restaurant that had recently opened.  It was so fabulous that it is difficult to speak!  Look for a review soon from Forkboy.  Afterward we head over to a friend of the Hazard's for drinks and a courtyard viewing of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Sunday we head on out to Madison, New Jersey.  We take a train out of Penn Station and honestly I was not all thrilled with the swampy scene.  As we got further from New York the scenery turned lush and green.  Unfortunately it began to rain when we arrived.  What I saw of the town reminded me of my grandparents town in Arkansas.  The quaint little houses, quiet streets, and super lush greenery really took me back to my childhood.  We here there for a BBQ.  Now being from Texas I get a little skeptical of BBQs outside of Texas but Mr. Hazard's friend from South Texas now lives in NJ and had a bunch of mesquite wood shipped to him since you can't get it up there.  He also had cases of Shiner Bock that is apparently almost impossible to find.  The grilled food was so good and the company was even better.  

Now I am back at home.  I go from 60 degree weather to 99 degree weather.  Damn the humidity!!!  

Overall, I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get back there soon.  I think Ron and I will be making a trip up there late summer or early fall.  I ain't going when it is 5 degrees outside again!  

I am headed to New York City on Friday to see my fellow BP's, The Hazard's. I am exicted to get to NYC and see my peeps. Due to the quick planning of this trip I opted to cash in miles instead of paying the rediculous price of $800. Anyway, we will also be attending a memorial service for a fabulous person who left us way to soon. I will be posting more about this trip later.

Sooooo......

Friday morning before my flight I will be doing a real quick Cooking with Karen. I will edit this on the plane and by the end of the day friday there should be a completed version posted. I PROMISE!!! I will be making a nice summer salad that requires no stove and will be easy enough and quick enough to get posted!

Camping...

Our camping trip was a success.  The weather was great and our camping spot was isolated and pretty.  Very wooded and a beautiful view of Lake Murray.  

In my personal opinion I believe that there were too many people that went. Overall about 24 people were there.  Parts of the group became a little cliquish which bothered me.  Oh well, I had a good time anyway!

This was also Moses' first real trip.  I was worried at first that he would run off.  I kept the leash on him but then started to feel bad about it.  So I gave him the benefit of the doubt and let him loose.  He went exploring a few times but mainly kept close.  Poor thing, he was so tired toward the end but he hung in there.  He even went for a little swim in the lake.  

Now I am at home not feeling 100%.  I am fairly certain that I have an ear infection and am generally just worn out.  

Camping...

This weekend we are headed to Lake Murray for the annual (sometimes semi-annual) Out Bitch camping trip. It is called Out Bitch cause it is a bunch of drunken bitchy queens who are trying to out bitch each other. There will be food, fire, and fabulousness. Details to follow on Sunday!