Alert Gazette readers may recall this post from almost two years ago, where I tracked down and photographed the elusive flow of Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton. To my knowledge, that was the last time the springs flowed, thanks to a combination of drought and continued heavy irrigation in the Belding Draw area just west… Continue reading “Our Desired Future”: Exploring the water dilemma in Texas
Category: Texas
First trail run of the season…or “Death in the Desert”
Most of Texas was blessed last week with some of the best rainfall we’ve had in months, and lake levels across the state reflected the results of that bounteous precipitation. However, one lake that didn’t get much benefit was Lake Travis, outside of Austin, as you can tell in the photo below. Sad, isn’t it?… Continue reading First trail run of the season…or “Death in the Desert”
Fall Fredericksburg Fandango
We’ve just returned from a long weekend in Fredericksburg, where we were able to do many of the things we like to do best, including bicycling, dancing, and eating. We stayed at a bed and breakfast on North Cherry Street, in a quiet neighborhood close to the western edge of town. It’s one of the… Continue reading Fall Fredericksburg Fandango
Rain/Dance
Even though there is some Biblical support for the adage that if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans, I’ve never bought into that concept except as it applies to plans that are clearly contrary to His will. And so when I tell you that we took our bike to Fredericksburg for… Continue reading Rain/Dance
Del Castillo
During our recent visit to Fredericksburg, Texas, we caught a performance by Del Castillo, a band that was hitherto unfamiliar to us. The group was appearing at the Crossroads Steakhouse & Saloon, which is a relatively new (opened in early 2010) restaurant on Fredericksburg’s main drag (across the street from Hondo’s, if you’re familiar with… Continue reading Del Castillo
The Stupidity Cycle Pedals Onward
I don’t know why I waste my time reading Facebook comments (other than those left on my own posts; all of my friends are consistently intelligent and full of grace). The level of sheer stupidity and/or cluelessness is enough to make one weep for the future of our society. But, like a moth drawn to… Continue reading The Stupidity Cycle Pedals Onward
A Vicarious Ride Across Texas
I can’t remember how I came across this blog, descriptively entitled “Southern Tier Bicycle Tour- 2012,” but it’s one I find myself visiting daily. It’s the account of a couple traveling by bike across the US, and while a good number of people do this each year (and blog about it), it’s pretty rare that… Continue reading A Vicarious Ride Across Texas
Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure: Too much information?
As you’ve probably already heard, the Texas Railroad Commission (the oversight agency for the Texas oil and gas industry, for the non-Texians in the audience) today approved a regulation that will require the public disclosure of chemical ingredients used in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells permitted on or after February 1, 2012 [read… Continue reading Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure: Too much information?
Car Wash Rules
I took the pickup in for a wash job yesterday. It was the first time it had been washed since May, due to our drought-related water usage restrictions. As you might imagine, the truck was badly in need of a good scrubbing. A lot of other people had decided to do the same thing, so… Continue reading Car Wash Rules
Ditch or Pipeline? Neither is likely to help our water situation.
As parts of the country endure flooding while other regions continue to suffer from a history-making drought and water shortage, it’s logical to wonder why we can’t figure out a way to move some of that water from one area to the other. Associated Press Science writer Seth Borenstein writes that the idea is simply not… Continue reading Ditch or Pipeline? Neither is likely to help our water situation.