The State Fair of Texas

This weekend was the opening weekend for the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. This afternoon, Steve and I decided we would make the drive over there and take in the fair this year. The weather was nice, not too hot, and we really had a nice day. I have included some photos from today. If you are visiting my blog today, I hope you don't mind if I take you with us on our trip to the State Fair.

Here is Steve at the coupon booth buying tickets. I wish he would hurry up, I am hungry.......now where is the corny dog booth?

View of the Midway. You know, the place where all the overpriced rides are, and where the annoying carnival people yell at you as you walk by the game booths. Seriously, do they think that all that yelling makes you want to "step right up and win the little lady a prize?"

But I have to admit......I really did want to win a prize.......Sophie and Dora would have loved one of these.........however.......we did not. And I must say, it was not from the lack of trying.

Here is Big Tex in all his glory. The very icon of the State Fair of Texas. He is always a big attraction with the crowd. I think he looks rather silly myself with that pose. Now do you think this guy looks like a rough and rowdy cowboy? I just don't see it, sorry. But hey, a true icon can pose any why he wishes I guess.
Howdy Folks! You see images of Big Tex all over the fair grounds. At least, in this banner he looks more like a rough and rowdy cowboy. A true icon, I tell ya'.

This guy was doing sand sculptures, very impressive. He had a lot left to do, but you can tell from the picture when it was complete, it would be something to see.

And what is the Fair without all the food demonstrations, knife demonstrations and cookware demonstrations, this guy was cooking up some mighty fine looking vegetables at this booth.

This display was great. It was in the area where Big Tex stands and it was a massive train track and trains, all running. This was really cute and a big hit with the kids. Young and old, kids of all ages.

I was impressed with the flowers and landscape all around the fair grounds. The grounds were covered with massive floral baskets, and displays. I thought this one was really cute. The brightly colored flowers and rocks formed a butterfly.

This waterlily was one of many growing in a pond. The flowers were fresh and beautiful. I do not ever remember seeing such wonderful flowers at the fair before.

Finally, take a look at the food booths. Now this is what the crowds come out to the State Fair for.....the food. Again, this year the vendors offered everything imaginable.....fried. If it was not fried, it appeared no one was standing in line to purchase it. Seriously.
Several times, we saw a medic-cart rushing out to help someone, who I am sure arteries clogged up on them, right there on the midway. Can you guess what the busiest food vendor was?

This is it.....Chicken Fried Bacon. You can not believe the lines for this hot new item.....And yes, we stood in line because hey, we could not leave the fair without sampling the best food they had to offer......at least that is all we heard...... that it was the best......

.......See, it won The Big Tex Choice Award for 2008. So we decided Big Tex surely knew what he was talking about....remember he is the icon of the State Fair. So we waited in line......and waited.......and waited.

Here is the nice lady serving up this wonderful, mouthwatering, fried grease..........ummm bacon.

It looks pretty darn good....Right??

I let Steve be the first to sample this oddity. I am a firm believer in exercising my manners and letting the other person go first.......sometimes it pays off. Sometimes not.
I should have took the questioning look in his eyes, and passed all together. But, no.....I had to try it for myself.

The verdict: This was the nastiest, fried, fat I had ever tried to eat. Seriously, it was so salty, and the bacon was all fat. I mean, for crying out loud, where in the devil was the PORK in the bacon.

We ended up just tossed it in the trash. Steve agreed with me that that was a good waste of about half our tickets. I am sure there is a lesson here somewhere. Like maybe don't follow the crowd.....don't be afraid to say no..... be a leader, not a follower.....

I think this was the first time Steve and I went to the State Fair without our kids. It was different, but in a good way. We had a nice day, walking the grounds, looking at all the exhibits, playing a few games, and eating some nasty food. You know, the usual State Fair things.

I think I enjoyed it a bit more than Steve did... I tried to convince Steve to do bungee jumping with me. I tried to persuade him by saying "let's live a little." He always says that is what he is trying to do, live a little. Not die while being shot through the air by a giant sling shot. So considering we had such a fun day today, I did not press the issue. However, I still wish I could have talked him into bungee jumping......maybe next year!

We have a winner: and A Mountain Adventure

" Rock'n View "

We have a winner! I have to tell you what great fun I had reading all of your entries for the name that photo contest. I know I promised to announce the winner this morning, but I got side tracked. Please forgive me.

I got up this morning, and read through all the entries once again, to make sure my mind was clear as to who the winner was. As I was doing so, a funny thing happened. As I was reading all of your wonderful entries, a story formed in my mind. Not just any story, but a story that each and every one of you had a part in the creation.

I decided to post the story here and hope it brings a smile or two this Friday afternoon. Just a friendly reminder, I am not a professional here, just someone with a wild imagination.

Now, for the important stuff: Congratulations to Desert Survivor for submitting the winning entry. Please email me at CLgiveaways at yahoo dot com to claim your prize.

Desert Survivor's submission was a perfect fit for this photo. The views are spectacular from every direction in this area. This next picture is what you see as you stand at the top of the hill........Rock'n View.

Thanks to all who took the time to submit an entry. Please check back with me in the next few weeks, I will be hosting more give aways and contest. Now, without any further ado....please enjoy this story.

A Mountain Adventure

It was a typical morning for Charlie and George. The sun was just coming up over the mountains and these two amigos had just finished off what was left of Mom’s pancakes for breakfast and were in a hurry to start their day. There are lots of things to see and do in these rugged mountains and soon these two found themselves headed to Paul’s Points to have a look around.
The cool breeze of the morning air was crisp and sharp this morning, but these two did not seem to notice, as they forged through the pine needles and rocks looking for an adventure. There was time this morning for some fun after a long summer filled with work everyday. You see in George and Charlie’s world it is a must to have perfectly balanced play time as well as work.
As these two friends made their way through the tall pines and hills, they were discussing the current problems themselves and their friends had experienced recently. The local pack of coyotes had been a pesky problem this summer, and they were on constant alert to the Stacked problems that these predators were causing their friends. It had been a hot dry summer, and food supplies were short in the wild, and the coyotes had already caused many problems for neighbors and friends in the area as they forged for food. Consequently, after much discussion of this topic, George and Charlie decided they were not trying to build mountains out of mo hills, and would not worry unless the coyotes moved in closer to their homes.
Quickly, their destination was in sight and the excitement grew. These two old buddies took off running and laughing down the trail like two kids having fun on a hot summer day.
Suddenly, they froze in their tracks. Something was not quite right. The landscape looked different, something was out of place, was this a result of the storm that had passed through last night? Were these Twin peaks, after the storm? George and Charlie, stopped, scratched their heads and just looked at each other. What were these New Twin Towers looming over their heads? The proceeded with caution. Remember, they were just discussing the coyote problem, maybe this was a new entrance to their den. You have to be careful, ya’know.
Slowly, Charlie and George cautiously made their way towards the great Monument on the top of the mountain. They were curious, but cautious as well. After all, Charlie and George lived by the philosophy never throw caution to the wind. And in these mountains, there is plenty of wind. They knew they must be careful.
There was great debate on whom or what these intruders were. The most important question to George and Charlie was what did these two intruders want and the first question of business was if they were going to Come here often?
Charlie and George chattered endlessly to these two intruders. They never got a reply to any of their questions. They could not figure out what was the problem, and why these two were so unfriendly. It seemed The Stoned Homeys on top of their hill were the silent type. Charlie and George tried to make friends, talk about important things like the weather, food shortages, and world peace, but these two guys had nothing to say. Finally, after much debate, they shrugged their shoulders and decided it must be McCain and Obama, after all, they had heard that these two really did not have much to say. Maybe they were here in the mountains to keep quiet and to listen. Now that was a thought……
Finally, it was time for these two friends to make their way back home. There is nothing like spending a day in the mountains with friends. With good friends around, you are Never Lonely and every obstacle is always an adventure. For these two little chipmunks, Charlie and George, agreed they had a great day together. They were a little sad they did not learn the names of the two intruders on the mountain, but they quickly agreed that they enjoyed the Rock’n View once again from the top of the hill. Now, they just wondered what was for supper as they scampered up the mountain by the cabin where they live.

George and Charlie