Some photograhic recollections of our trip by automobile from California to Texas in May, 2005. We visited family, friends, and attended reunion of several of my wife's Nursing School classmates @ University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. A separate album of family and friends will be posted but limited to password entry.
1 First morning stop at Border Patrol checkpoint where I-8 dips close to border of Mexico near the Jacumba Airport.
2 I-8 winds through rocky hills in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park west of El Centro, CA
3 East bound on I-8, nearing end of State Park area about 30 minutes from El Centro.
4 We had noted buds breaking out on the plentiful saguaro plants. This one in motel parking lot in Tucson, AZ
5 Close up of buds on saguaro, will open with blossoms later.
6 Now east bound on I-10 with miles and miles of open New Mexico country as far as the eye can see.
7 Visited my sister in Dallas where she shows off "Tony," sweeps winner in class at New York show. She has some 19 champions in her well known kennel.
8 Dallas skyline from White Rock Lake, a few blocks from my sister's home.
9 Closer view of Dallas skyline.
10 Off I-45 on way to Houston, stopped to shoot this old fashioned rail crossing sign on country road.
11 In Centerville, Texas, on old route 75, we stopped for lunch at the Town Cafe, a regular stop for me ever since I was a boy living on the family farm nearby. Famous for "chicken fried steak."
12 Statue of Sam Houston at Sam Houston State College in Huntsville, TX. My father graduated there when it was Sam Houston Normal. Dan Rather is famous (or infamous) alumni.
13 The "Sea Wall" in Galveston, TX. My wife and I strolled this wall when we were dating in 1949.
14 The Bishops Palace, a famous landmark in Galveston. Waited for bus to move, but finally gave up.
15 Old cemetery near downtown Galveston. Covered with wild flowers in May 2005.
16 Last building in what was the main intersection of Thomaston, TX. Last known population was 45, probably less now. My wife's great grandfather had a blacksmith shop a few yards to left.
17 Giant Magnolia tree in family cemetery in Thomaston, TX.
18 First in a series of beautiful old homes in Cuero, TX.
19 Cuero is a very small town with a surprising number of grand old residences.
20 This Cuero home is in the State registry of historical buildings, as are most of those pictured.
21 Cuero home is historical landmark, and available for tours.
22 This Cuero home has a particularly warm and friendly appearance.
23 Of special interest is the intricate trim work on roof line.
24 Most of the homes are framed with the Texas Live Oak, and in the summer the shade is most welcome.
25 Live Oak tree stands alone along the highway between Cuero and Gonzales, TX.
26 Recently refurbished Gonzales County Courthouse in the town square of Gonzales, TX.
27 Church in downtown Gonzales where my wife attended as a girl.
28 First house photo in the Gonzales area. This beautifully kept yellow house looks warm and inviting.
29 Stone house stands quiet and formal.
30 Elegant home shows perfect maintenance and manicured landscape.
31 Grand old Colonial, over 100 years old.
32 My favorite, this pink gingerbread house, spic and span.
33 Three photo series of the most interesting house, not as well maintained, but rather grand.
34 Carriage drive with portico side entrance.
35 We speculated that the tower like structure houses a curved stairway.
36 A stunning example of old style gas station. Flying horse (Pegasus) is trademark of the former Magnolia Oil Co. Large lighted Pegasus rotated on top of Magnolia Bldg. in Dallas, once the tallest bldg in Southwest, at 29 stories.
37 Many original buildings still stand around the town square in Gonzales, TX.
38 At right, Kotzebue's Drug store, where my wife's grandfather, an M.D., shot and killed a robber many years ago.
39 A grand old Colonial style house in Gonzales is open for tours.
40 My wife's grandfather built this house, now beginning restoration by the current owner.
41 Lea shot this Mimosa tree in front of friend's house in San Antonio. No, it does not bear champagne flavored oranges.
42 Lea's shot of Brackenridge Park near downtown San Antonio, where she played as a girl during elementary and Jr. High School.
43 Another shot by Lea @ Brackenridge.
44 First of 4 photos of Texas Highways, in the hill country between San Antonio and Kerrville, TX.
45 I-10 takes us from San Antonio to the intersection of I-20 out of Dallas & east of Van Horn, TX, on our way home.
46 Driving these Texas highways is pleasant and relaxing compared to Southern California traffic.
47 Texas highways still show lots of color, although too late for fields of blue bonnets, the state flower.
48 Across New Mexico & Arizona, rarely a moment when a long freight train isn't rolling along the side of I-10.
49 Some trains are so long one cannot see both ends at the same time.
50 This one rolls along in front of dramatic backdrop, very typical sight in NM and AZ.
51 Stopped in AZ to see Saguaro and check status of buds and blossoms. This one framed by exotic shaped Ocotillo cactus plants.
52 Some two weeks since the Saguaro photo in Tucson, the blossoms are breaking out.
53 Out of 113 degree heat in Phoenix the night before, we return to our home golf course in CA, temp of 69!
54 Thanks for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the album.
