It seems I’ve been doing this for some time
Memories
Andrew’s Adventure afoot
Andrew’s adventure.
As if graduating from high school was not enough for our independent young son he has got himself a job in Colarado through to November. A great adventure for him, a worry for his loving parents. We are still trying to wrap our minds around the idea that he will not be bursting into our presence every day with exited tales of what he has been up to at school, work, or play – usually delivered in an accent or mimicking someone he has met. If Andrew didn’t have other plans I’m pretty sure he would have a career on the stage!
Friday, June 18th
We packed the vehicles and set off from Rockport together. Checking on the Apple Find app told us that Andrew had decided to visit his friends at the Boiling Pot before heading North. Regardless of that decision he still managed to arrive at The Bass Pro shop in San Antonio before his parents! On we drove for about 10 hours (including rest stops) until we reached the half way stage at Lubbock where we quickly checked into our hotel and headed out for a steak dinner. Then it was straight to bed to ensure an early start the next day.
On I-37 I recognize a truck 
Stocking up on some gear suitable for CO
Saturday, June 19th
Anxious to be on his way Andrew declined to wait in the ridiculous line to be served breakfast at the hotel (COVID having turned a perfectly efficient self serve breakfast into a painful, six foot from the guest in front of you, wait to be served by one poor overworked soul struggling behind her face mask to make polite conversation at the same time as hustling folks along.)
Whataburger breakfast and a quick stop for fuel was to be the order of the day so we walked him out to his truck and bade farewell to our “little boy”. A few last words of advice from his parents and he jumped in the truck. Just one final request from his father – to keep us updated on his progress throughout the day each time he stopped to rest or refuel.
I didn’t really think he would call until he arrived at his destination but 90 minutes later the phone rang and it was Andrew to let me know that New Mexico has the lowest speed limits he has ever encountered on major roads. He has called several more times to advise us on his progress and at the time of writing this he is within 50 miles of his destination and out of cell phone reception.
Update: The Eagle has Landed as at 7p.m. CST
… the adventure continues.
Unofficial BridgeWalk May 2021
Prom Night 2021
Rockport, TX
We don’t really do “Prom Night” in Scotland … but wait, we’re no longer in Scotland! So of course Andrew has adopted the local tradition. He and his friends have suited up, borrowed the fanciest vehicle they could find (they even put it through a car wash) and have set off to have a good time – apparently without dates.
Up in the air
I was fortunate enough this weekend to be offered an alternative to cycling for my mobile entertainment.
Thanks to Cousin Ray for inviting Andrew and I to join him for a jaunt in his Cessna.
https://gopro.com/v/Xl18baZryz9yG
Federal Friday Festivity
Playlist: Something Stupid (see sunscreen below) – The Mavericks
Tomorrow is Independence Day but, as that is a Saturday, the official Federal holiday is today, Friday July 3rd. The last few days have been uncomfortable for me with my blood pressure causing concern and the frustrating inability to get out on my bike. The combination of Sahara dust and high heat index denying me the ability to cycle my BP down to an acceptable level.
All that changed today as the morning temperature was in the 80°F range and the dust haze seemed to have subsided so I was able to cycle a few miles and restore my BP to normal levels. Of course now my knees hurt and my arms are red because I forgot to use sunscreen but you can’t have everything!
Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary 
Large home for small bug 
Memorial Park 
Country Club 
Broadway at Little Bay 
Country Club 
American Bank flying the flag
Tuesday Twosome
Playlist: Against the Wind – Bob Seger
Most of my cycling seems to involve being “Against the Wind” so that’s not a bad track to be listening to on a ride. I did no mileage on Monday and Tuesday evening was not much better with a paltry 5 miles being clocked up towards the 50 for the week. “Must do better”, as the headmaster remarked about my Latin test scores some 50 years ago!
Since Tuesday held nothing of interest to post about cycling I offer this, from 2005, a flower whose name I do not know but which resided in Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Scottish Borders. Worth a visit if you’re ever in the neighborhood.
Sunday memories
Playlist: (Movie) Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Remember the GCN video (“Friday Off” June 19th) which persuaded me that it is not necessary to train every day – today was that day.
No cycling, no yard work, and not even a stroll to the mailbox. Activity today consisted of logging into the morning church service followed by laundry and towel folding whilst watching the Will Ferrell movie listed above, and then sifting through my collection of digital photographs in search of blogging inspiration.
I’m not a big fan of Will Ferrell but this movie was brought to my attention by my friend David , who lives in Scotland, as it features a few scenes shot in Edinburgh. Even better – it also features some scenes filmed in Glasgow that are passed off as being in Edinburgh. Long live the East / West rivalry of Scotland’s two largest cities. The movie was indeed quite enjoyable.
Andrew & Emily Blackhall Park, Edinburgh 
Jenna in Biggar, UK 
Andrew and Emily Canoe Lake, Rockport, TX 
Visiting Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi 
Tabasco factory & museum, LA
Friday
Playlist: Roamin’ in The Gloamin’
Historic cycling memorabilia.
The amazing moving target that is the town of St. Andrews.
I know that the starting point of this annual ride from Edinburgh to St. Andrews has changed year on year for various reasons but 5 miles! Really?
Home late from the office, and with wet weather and thunderstorms threatened, there was no chance of cycling this evening so I decided to publish the evidence that my insanity, with regard to cycling, has been continuous rather than sporadic throughout my life. I know I entered the Edinburgh to St. Andrews bicycle ride more than twice but two completion certificates is the sum total of my tangible proof.
Tuesday Twist
Playlist: Rhythm of the Rain (1963)
Technically, ”Rhythm of the Rain” is just a single not an actual playlist, but it seemed appropriate for today as I was really expecting rain and I did listen to it on my way to Corpus Christi this afternoon. No rain was experienced but a large smattering of bird related liquid did hit the windshield as I crossed the causeway.
I didn’t leave Corpus Christi until 7:45 PM so I knew there would be no cycling tonight. Instead I pulled off at Indian Point Park and took a walk around. I was hoping for a Sahara dust sunset but it wasn’t that impressive. Later, as I drove past Gregory, I noticed a much more spectacular sunset but I couldn’t pull off anywhere to take a photograph.
Corpus Christi In the distance