Judge Roy Bean, here’s the old coot himself.  As you can see, he doesn’t look much like Paul Newman, a nod to one of Paul’s movies of many years ago.

Roy might have been the first work from home guy.  He lived, sold likker, and passed out his unique and legendary brand of  justice right here in this establishment.

The saloon and the town were named after renowned actress of the day, Lilly Langtry.  This is it in it’s preserved state today, and here it is in a photo showing the Judge “holding court”.

The rules of behavior were clear and the Judge didn’t hold to no cuttin’ up in his place of business.  Legend has it that the Judge himself was pretty prone to allowing himself to be an exception.

Phantly (yup) Roy Bean was born in 1828 in Kentucky,  He died in 1903 and is buried in Del Rio, TX.  His colorful life is almost not to be believed, and his “heyday” in the area of what now is Langtry was in the last quarter of the 1800s.

Seminole Canyon State Park is located near the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers. As such, it is an area with rich history of both human and animal inhabitants going back to Prehistoric Times. Because we equate the Seminoles with Florida, the origin of the name is worth noting.

During the Trail of Tears era when the government was shamelessly relocating thousands of Native Americans far from their ancestral homelands, the Seminoles were brought by train to Oklahoma. Not allowed to return to Florida, many eventually moved on to the south and southwest creating new significant populations. This river valley became one such area.

Throughout the park there is evidence of the Southern Pacific Railroad coming through here in 1882. This baking oven being one of the more significant examples. And this stone culvert, which is about 130 years old, but doesn’t look a day over 50.

The original railroad bed is easily recognizable in some parts of the park. This route was abandoned after only ten years of use because advancements in the design and construction of bridges allowed for choosing more favorable routes.

There are many pictographs and petroglyphs throughout Seminole Canyon.  If you followed me on last years trip you know the difference between the two.  If not you can look it up or call me and ask me, I’d love to hear from you.  Hell, call me even if you do remember.  I have the time. 🙂

This sculpture at the visitors center is an aggregate of a number of the pictographs.  The art on these cavern walls spans an era of about 3200 years beginning in about 800 AD.

This petroglyph (hint) doesn’t look like much until you learn that the four corners correspond exactly to the four cardinal directions on the compass.  I checked it, it’s dead on.  How did they do that?

You know how I am about old wood.  I just can’t resist.  This mesquite tree is about 500 years old.  If you look closely, yes it is still living.

This is the Pecos River only about a quarter of a mile from where it joins the Rio Grande.  Before Judge Roy Bean’s time, Roy lived not far from here in Langtry, they used to say, “There’s no law west of the Mississippi, and no God west of the Pecos.”  Little did they know.

Seminole Canyon State Park was the first place I actually encountered significant buggage.  I just made that a word if it’s not already.  And if you can’t figure it out, it means too many bugs.  Other than that it continues to amaze how great my fortunes have been on both of my trips.

So my great friend Wayne sent me this photo.  We have a Cenacle of the Divine Mercy group that meets once a month.  These are some of my group; Tim on the left, Sherrie, either trying to hide or peak, Jeannie, and Wayne’s wife Deb on the right.  As you can see, after our study and prayer time we always have a treat.  I keep lobbying to have the treat first, but to no avail.

Thanks for sending Wayne.  Love you guys.

To all my friends who are in MN; Because you have had a pretty good run of weather recently, I feel ok in saying, IT’S HOT DOWN HERE!  I love the gulf coast all the way from the FL panhandle down to Corpus Christi and Padre Island. But it’s nice to get into some drier air over here on the other side of south Texas.  You guys who have camped in the humidity know what I’m talking about.

I wish you all could see the sunrise I have out my window right now.  God’s world and a good cup of coffee.  Man o man!

Falcon State Park has better hiking than riding so I’ve spent my time doing that and exploring the area by truck.  Bird watchers are plentiful here and the park has a wonderful butterfly garden.  I don’t know all of the botanical ins and outs but I’m guessing specific trees and plants are what attract them.

Here’s some morning visitors.  Javelinas are mostly vegetarian and typically not at all aggressive.  As opposed to wild ferel hogs which are in a constant state of grump.  I’m told there are a lot of bobcats in the park.  I’ve spoken to a couple of people who have spotted one, and I’ve seen the signs, but haven’t had the luck myself.

In a market I bought some of the locally made chorizo and had it with some eggs. A real colon cleanser.  He didn’t just write that, did he?  And this was desert.

All my friends in Lakeville at Applied Power will recognize my Yeti cup which is now a constant companion.  Thanks again!

While sitting having breakfast I had a moment of appreciation.  I’ve had this little backpacking stove for what seems like most of my life.  It has served me well.

I mentioned birders earlier.  I’ve learned that bird is also a verb, as in do you bird?  And people who bird have all the “stuff”.  🙂  The couple that was camped across from me, from Wausau, had turned their campsite into a little sanctuary which was quite the popular spot.  It afforded me lots of visiting.  In the morning their campsite would be full of cardinals and other birds.

Roma is an interesting place.  I think it’s a pretty typical little border town.  This photo is looking across the Rio Grande at Ciudad Miguel Aleman.  That’s an International Bridge in the top left, and yes, that is a Border Patrol Officer standing there.  And right behind me when I took that photo was a Roma silent story.

Kite Cam.  When weather permits these camera balloons are floated aloft about six to eight hundred feet.  If you ask a Border Patrol Officer about them they are understandably tight lipped about their capabilities.  You can’t get near any of the stations.  The area between the highway and the Rio Grande is strictly border patrol territory unless it’s private property.  And even then they have the authority to go where they feel they need to.

I’m working my way up the Rio Grande Valley, gradually moving west with an eye on being in Alpine this weekend for the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering. 🙂

I am well and hope you all are too.

The shore area at Goose Island is popular for fishing and on the weekends the park is very busy.  On a Saturday the activity at the boat launch never stops.  Boat trailers eventually take up every available little spot of ground.

The activity at the cleaning station never stops either.  It stays crowded with humans and birds alike.  I’ve never liked cleaning fish and can’t even fathom having to stand in line to do it.

Getting ready to leave Goose Island.  I’ve enjoyed my time in this area very much and I’m happy I chose it over a return to Mustang Island down the shore.  When you have a nearly 20 year old camper, repairs are a pretty regular thing.  Often the best time is when the camper is packed up.  Being “self contained” definitely includes having a drill and a pretty compete set of tools.

Next stop, Falcon State Park over in the Rio Grande Valley.

Remember in an earlier post when I remarked how tiny Lamar, TX is?  Lamar has two churches.  This is Stella Maris Catholic Church.  It’s a chapel that holds about forty to fifty people.  Father Ralph Jones, an elderly man with obvious physical struggles, celebrates Mass here everyday.  In spite of his age he still has a twinkle in his eye and is an animated homilist.  He’s a perfect version of what people mean when they say, “he talks with his hands”.

Stella Maris Chapel was originally built in 1854 down by the shore which is a few hundred yards from here.  It was eventually moved to this donated spot to be restored and to give it more protection from the weather.

The original chapel was constructed in a common method of those days called shellcrete.  Shells, obviously and abundant commodity in this area, were the binding agent, as you can see from this section of the original footings.  Now the walls are modern stucco but the inside of the chapel is much like it originally was.

The churchyard.  On the left is the community gathering hall, and I’m told, also the local polling place.  It’s not very visible, but the sign above the door in the lighter green building identifies it as the confessional.  Very easy, vote for your candidate, then step across and confess your sins. 🙂

Although it has an address on a nearby paved street, the church, and across from it the cemetery, are on a dirt track alley that connects two streets.  I enjoyed spending time here with Fr. Ralph and feeling the history and spirituality of the place.

The Gallery Deck of the ship is linked to the strategic operations of the carrier.  It contains the Captains Cabin which keeps him close to the bridge, the CIC (Combat Information Center) and the Ready Rooms.  The Ready Rooms are where all the critical flight operations are communicated to the pilots and navigators.  The CIC sees all, interprets all, and communicates all of the necessary information about the ships readiness for both air and sea operations.  With radar projecting hundreds of miles it tracks and interprets the movement of all vessels and aircraft, both friendly and enemy, and constantly communicates the area of operations status to the Captain, the Navigator, and the Flight Operations Commander.

It’s when you visit the Lower Decks that you really get the sense of a carrier being a floating town.  It has restaurants, motels, doctors, dentists, barbers, and a library.  

And of course it contains the area of the ship that powers it all.  This little staircase actually takes you over a shaft that drives one of the propellers.

Sleeping berths.

Produce preparation, and below, the machine shop.

Sick bay and the dentist chair.  When you walked through this area they actually had the sound of drills and sailors wailing in pain.  It was pretty cute.

The Lexington did not disappoint.  It was well worth the year’s wait to to finally see her, and I would definitely say if you come to south Texas don’t miss the opportunity.

One more thing of note, and something that surprised me.  My body was stiff for a couple of days afterward.  A thorough “search” of the ship is a wake up for muscles not always used.  For a taller person you find yourself walking in a stoop some of the time.  When going through the bulk head doors and passage ways you contort your body to step over and bend down at the same time.  You do this probably about 150 times.  The staircases are steep and the risers shallow.  When you go up and down those babies you are gripping  the railings for dear life.  And of course if you’re not careful, you are in constant danger of clanging your head.  It wore me out.  But don’t let that stop you.  A person can do or not do as they wish, and there’s plenty to see without it being an athletic event.

I am well, and with a couple of exceptions, enjoying great weather.  Love to all.

OK, so I think I have this right, but if I don’t, there are a couple of old Navy guys who read this, and if I get too far off the accuracy trail, maybe they’ll jump in with a comment. Fine, former Navy guys then.

In the sailing ships of days gone by there were large structures down inside the hull where the masts were secured and anchored. These large structures were called castles. The area of the ship that was between the bow and the forward most mast became known as the forecastle, as in fore and aft. Over the years, no doubt aided by crewman trying to pronounce it with their mouths full at meals, forecastle became shortened and abbreviated (I know, they’re the same thing, so sue me) to foc’sle. So ends the lesson.

The FOC’SLE contains all of the officers quarters (except the Captain’s), all of the anchor machinery, and the racks for the long securing and towing ropes. On the Lexington it also contained a museum honoring CV-2, The Lady Lex, and a memorial and exhibit to Pearl Harbor Day.  Both of these exhibits evoke a lot of emotion.

In the Lady Lex museum, while you are viewing photos and memorabilia from the carrier, the names of the killed, missing, or captured are being read over a loudspeaker. It’s a sad thing but not every sailor was eventually accounted for. On the plus side, about 90% of the crew, and 18 planes that landed on the Yorktown, were rescued before her battleships scuttled her to avoid the ship being captured.

We have all seen and listened to the newsreels and photos from the Day That Lives in Infamy. But somehow in this environment they hit you deep. And hard.

On the floor is a computer generated aerial view showing the waves of aircraft approaches, the sequence of the ships being struck, the ships as they tried to escape their moorings and get underway, and the times they went down or listed beyond the ability to defend themselves. Up on the screen are the sounds, the photos, and the newsreels documenting the destruction. At the end, FDR’s declaration of war to the Congress. The whole attack lasted about 90 minutes. Just think how quickly 90 minutes goes by when we’re watching a movie or having dinner with friends. On that morning 90 minutes must have been an eternity, a horror that would not end. The visit to the FOC’SLE left me drained.

The Hangar Deck

The Hangar Deck is the level of entry on to the Lexington.  It has a big 3D theatre that was showing a film called Carrier.  The film moved back and forth from a modern day carrier group on a combined international training exercise to historic footage of carriers in action.  It also has several historic planes and an area where aircraft preservation and restoration is being done.  The blue aircraft on the left in this photo is the Avenger flown by George Bush  Sr. in WWII.

This is a scale model of the battleship USS South Dakota.  For much of it’s time in the Pacific it carried no identifying markings and was referred to in war reports and press releases as Battleship X.  I can’t say that I completely understood that piece of it’s history, but suffice it to say it was some sort of naval slight of hand.

The Hangar Deck also had a restaurant and the all important souvenir store. 😉

The Flight Deck

View from the bow.  The aft section of the Flight Deck is an aircraft museum containing various planes and jets from history that were part of carrier flight operations.

The white turnstiles you see are part of the arresting cable system.  Those and the accumulators, just below the flight deck, were capable of absorbing 45,000 foot pounds of pressure.  They stop an aircraft coming in at around 120 knots in 350 feet.

The inside and the outside of the 5″ gun turrets.  It’s hard to get a good perspective from a photo but these two guns were manned by 11 guys crammed into this space.

An exposed section of the original decking.

The bridge and the wheel house.

The gun positions on the side of the carrier.  Those barrel looking things are the life rafts and that’s downtown Corpus Christi off in the distance.  It’s hard to see because of the reflections but the photo below shows all of the things that are contained in a life raft pod.

Next up, The Foc’Sle, Huh?

It was a strangely similar scene. Déjà vu. I remembered last year as I drove west over the causeway towards Mobile, AL, I could see the USS Alabama from a long distance away. So too now, as I drove down the coast toward Corpus Christi, the outline of the USS Lexington began to reveal itself against the backdrop of Corpus Christi harbor.

The decommissioned carrier now sits as a museum, and I also remembered last year driving north toward San Antonio with regret that I had not visited her. It was another thing that was on my to do list for this year’s trip.

When the Lexington was retired in the 90s, there were a number of cities bidding to take possession of her. Pensacola and Miami in Florida.  Mobile, AL, and Quincy, MA, home of the Bethlehem Shipyards where the hulk of a damaged battleship was converted to CV16, the “new” USS Lexington. In the end, Corpus Christi won the “contest” due in large part to the fact that they had already established a museum to the USS Lexington.

She was named in honor of the USS Lexington CV2, “Lady Lex” as she was known, which was damaged beyond survival and sunk in the battle of the Coral Sea. Legend has it that no less a personality than Tokyo Rose herself dubbed her “The Blue Ghost” when she steamed back into battle in the Pacific, seemingly before the Japanese were done celebrating the demise of Lady Lex. The victory of morale and the performance of “The Blue Ghost” through the end of the war, were critical to the success in the Pacific theatre.

She took a pounding but always gave more than she got. When you study the sequence of movements and engagements, it was like the naval version of Ali/Frasier.

A visit to the Lexington is divided into five self-guided walking tours. I took what seemed like a bazillion pictures, but don’t worry I’m not going to use them all. I’ll probably do this in two or three posts so they don’t take forever to load and it will help me keep track of my own organization. So bear with me.