RATTLESNAKE BOMBER BASE

After WW2 the Rattlesnake Bomber Base, which was at Pyote, Texas, was used as a place to "pickle" and store bombers. The dry climate was better for temporarily preserving them while it was decided what to do with them. I remember passing by as a young child and seeing hundreds, probably thousands, of B-17 and B-29 bombers, in long rows that seemed to stretch forever. It was a sight that I have never forgotten; it really put forth to me America's power and might, and at the same time was sad, like a graveyard of valiant warriors.

Rattlesnake Bomber Base was once home to the Enola Gay. The original base entryway still stands off I-20 but the base is a descent way off. Most of the hangers are still there and are the remains of several WWII bombers, though thanks to the bascisity of the dirt, they are rusted beyond salvagability. 4WD isn't actually nesicary once you're there but the majority of the driving involved is through West Texas desert which is overgrown with mesquite and tumbleweed so puntured tires are quite likely.

The satellite map should show the landing strips, if not move the map around, the base is just left of Pyote, Texas.


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Texas Longhorns beat Boston College in 25 inning marathon

Quote of the week
“Maybe it was adrenaline, but I couldn’t believe how good I felt. My arm felt great. I wasn’t sick, even though I threw up [from drinking too much Gatorade, Pedialyte and water too fast]. But my body felt great, my arm felt great.”
– Longhorns pitcher Austin Wood, to SI.com, after his 13-inning performance in Saturday’s win over BC .

One of the greatest pitching performances in college baseball history.

WACO: The Rules of Engagement (extra: infrared footage)

The first full-length documentary film to present the complete picture of the series of events outside Waco, Texas during 1993 that resulted in the shooting of 4 federal agents and the deaths of 86 men, women, and children of the Branch Davidian religious sect.

A highly detailed examination of the interaction between David Koresh, his members, and Federal Law Enforcement. It shows how the FBI misled the public and American political leaders in order to focus overwhelming force on a group whose diversity of race, national origin, and apocalyptic religious beliefs made its members easy targets for lethal abuse of civil and human rights. Gripping and deeply thought provoking, the film provides America with something it truly needs - an opportunity to review the historical record of events at Waco. The findings raise doubts about the FBI's version of the story and their larger role in similar instances of law enforcement.

The San Antonio Zoo

A great zoo for kids and adults alike. Always a great outing for the family.

The Marble Falls Flood + "Welcome Home"by Coheed and Cambria

The Marble Falls Flood of 2007. Marble Falls is only about 60 miles from my home. Went up to Marble Falls a couple of days after the flood. The pictures in the video gives you a good idea of the destruction by the flood. Something like 14 inches of rain in one day.

The Alamo - THE GREEN LEAVES OF SUMMER - Original Soundtrack By Dimtri Tiomkin

Texans didn't steal land from anyone. Santa Anna was a vicious dictator who killed more Mexicans than he ever killed Texans. After he abolished the constitution the Texans said "no thanks" and declared independance. Those Texans included men like Juan Seguin and Lorenzo de Zavala. That is why the heroes of the Alamo are so revered.

Beautiful Song that was on the soundtrack with the John Wayne version of The Alamo.



THE GREEN LEAVES OF SUMMER
Original Soundtrack composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. From John Waynes Epic Movie THE ALAMO. Also known as Number One Hit by the Brothers Four in the Early 1960..

For higher sound and visiual quality, click here:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=KOVFbsH...

lYRICS:
A time to be reapin',
a time to be sowin'.
The green leaves of summer
are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then,
in a season of plenty,
When the catfish were jumpin'
as high as the sky.

A time to be laughin'
a time to be livin'
A time to be courtin'
a girl of your own.
'Twas so good to be young then,
to be close to the earth,
And to stand by your wife
at the moment of birth.

A time to be reapin',
a time to be sowin'.
The green leaves of summer
are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then,
with the sweet smell of apples,
And the owl in the pine tree
a -winkin' his eye.

A time just for plantin',
a time just for ploughin'.
A time just for livin',
a place for to die.
'Twas so good to be young then,
to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of summer
are callin' me home.

Bandera Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World.

The most beutiful thing about the area I think are the hills and the river. The river is crystal clear. you can see 20+ feet down!

Just an afternoon drive from Austin through the hill country.

Hurricane Ike - The aftermath - Galveston Island, TX

This video shows the aftermath of Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island, TX on Saturday morning after landfall. One of the biggest threats were fires, which were almost impossible to control given the strong winds. Check out the pre-landfall surf and landfall videos on the TornadoVideos.net channel.

Billy Bob's Texas - World's Largest Honkey Tonk

Over 800' of bar broken up into bar stations across the floor, 2 stages, a general store, bull arena, arcade, displays everwhere a fun place to go.

100% Texan - Kevin Fowler

100% fun. All true Texans feel this way.

Fredericksburg: A Texas Hill Country Jewel

Just 70 miles or so west of Austin and about the same distance north of San Antonio, Fredericksburg is ideally situated for a weekend getaway, or even a month-long sojourn. Fredericksburg is also the jumping-off point to the Hill Country's gorgeous scenery, often breathtaking in its colorful complexity. Whether it's catching the early spring Blue Bonnet bloom that draws annual, world-wide attention or just enjoying the rolling hills, limestone escarpments and green-canopied oaks, a drive though the areas surrounding Fredericksburg is a must.

Ann Richards Memorial Video

Redneck Riviera. Port Aransas, Texas

I really like this video.

Hummingbirds at the Alamo

My Favorite Bad Joke: Everything's Big in Texas

This is a very old joke. I heard it 45 years ago, but it's clean and still funny.

Texas Longhorns vs Texas Tech Holding Call a JOKE 2008

Pedernales Falls State Park Texas

Arrested Texas Style

Wimberley, Texas Zipline

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah through Texas blue. Better'n than a float down the Blanco. Take a deep breath and enjoy the Hill Country whiz by.

Oliver Loving

My great great grandmother's sister was married to James Loving, one of Oliver Loving's sons. My great great grandfather was a Captain in the Texas Mounted Rangers and later in the Confederacy. His name was Captain Newton White. My great grandmother, whom I knew was one of his daughters. Her name was Lilly Dell. Great story.

Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse Bar and Grill

Poodie died yesterday and this is in memory of him.

Poodie's needs no introduction to Austinites in the know. It seems like it is a long way out on 71 but actually when you get to 620 and the Aboretum in Bee Caves, you are two thirds of the way there. I'd say 20 miles out of town, maybe twenty five. You never know when you might run into Willie Nelson at Poodie's. They are tight and he and Willie have worked together for decades. Of course, like everyone, he has his detractors. People who do their job well, often do.
http://www.poodies.info/http://www.myspace.com/poodieshilltop

WiseGeorge wrote the info and recorded the video. Please visit Wisegeorge on Youtube.

Texas Tornados on Austin City Limits

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

My great great grandfather was a mounted Texas Ranger stationed in Fort Belknap. This was before the Civil War. Fort Belknap was close to Weatherford, Texas. These rangers protected the frontier. They were all inducted into the Confederacy during the Civil War. His name was Captain Newton White.

Typical day in the Hill Country of Texas

Love this one.

Rockport, Texas

Scholz Beer Garden on San Jacinto in Austin near UT

Another great video by wisegeorge. I invite you to his blog: http://www.wisegeorge.blogspot.com

Bob Bullock Museum Overview

This is one of many museums in Austin, and it is the newest, but it is a lot of fun.

"Toobing" on the Guadalupe River

We did this once. Believe me it's for the young un's. In those rapids are big rocks just beneath the surface. My wife had a bruise on her butt that looked a lot like Australia. Most of the toobers had a separate toob with their ice chest filled with beer floating beside them. These people get really crazy after a couple of hours. Still glad I did it once.

The History of Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas

Beautiful Texas Sunset from Central Texas

Texas Longhorns 2005 National Champions

An 8 minute ride through a dream season for the Longhorns

Blue Hole, Wimberley, Texas

Here are some people trying to catch the ring at Blue Hole in Wimberley, Texas. This is only about 25 miles from my home.



See the website for more info about Blue Hole; http://www.friendsofbluehole.org/

Texas Longhorn Cattle

These are beautiful animals. Aggies even have to admit that.

Texas Tornado

We have a little bit of everything here in Texas.

Easter in Texas

This happened in 2007. Got to watch quick, but I really liked the picture of the bluebonnets in snow.

The University of Texas Tower

Texas State Capitol Building in Austin

The State Bird of Texas --- The Mockingbird

Whoever filmed this did a good job. Looks like a nice peaceful little bird. In reality, these birds are the bullys of the backyard. They chase away other birds, I have seen them attack cats. They are tough, but they are ours.

Texas Horny Toad

Used to see these little creatures all the time when I was a kid. Haven't seen on in at least 30 years. Wanted to preserve their memory.

Texas Bluebonnets

Field of Texas Bluebonnets (State flower), set to the music of 'Texas Our Texas' (State song).

Goliad, Texas

Goliad, is one of the oldest cities in Texas. In 1749 Spanish explorers started a mission and fort. Goliad is also known for its part in the Texas Revolution. Col. James Fannin and 342 men were massacred after surrendering to the Mexican army at Goliad in 1836. The Mission Espiritu Santo was established in 1749 by Spanish Franciscans. Today it is a museum and campground. The Presido La Bahia or "Fort of the Bay" is located just south of the mission. The fort was built in 1749 by the Spanish as an inland coastal defense, which is something of an oxymoron. Today the fort is a National Historic Landmark, boasting a modest, well organized museum.

We travel though Goliad, which is on Hwy 183, inbetween Cuero and Refugio. There is also a monument to Col. Fannin at the cementary where many of the soldiers were buried.

My grandson, Tucker, loves to go to the museum and the monument at the cementary. This is real Texas history and all Texans should take a trip to Goliad. They also have a really nice town square. I can't remember his name right now, but the mayor of Goliad sings at the monthly Grand Ole Opery program in Refugio.

Why there are Aggie Jokes.

I have a nephew that is an aggie and I try my best to understand them. The following video will demonstrate why there are aggie jokes. God Bless those guys.
I really don't have to say anything else. Go Scott.

Conn Brown Harbor in Aransas Pass, Texas

We have a small trailer about a mile from Conn Brown Harbor. This video shows the harbor from the park area and not the actual harbor area. The bridge you see in the video, takes you from Aransas Pass to the Ferry that will take you to Port Aransas, Texas. Port A is about 8 miles from Conn Brown.

BBQ in Dripping Springs

This video was shot in Dripping Springs, Texas about 13 miles from my home. The locals just call it Drippin. Good song about some good food. Texas BBQ is a state of mind. Enjoy the video.

Texas Cooking by Guy Clark

Texas has the best cooking in the whole wide world. Guy Clark tells you all about it in this video.