April 2020 Bob Woodruff Park After Re-Opening

Normally, there are usually about five cars in the parking lot on a clear day. But after being closed due to the pandemic and then being re-opened, this is the scene on the day after being opened again. Almost full lot.

May 2019 Daingerfield State Park

On the day prior to Memorial Day, Joann and Tom traveled to Daingerfield State Park near Daingerfield, TX. It was partly cloudy with temps in the low 90's. Due to the holiday, the lake was somewhat crowded with folks having a good time in and around the water. JoAnn had brought a picnic lunch and a good table was found in the shade under trees. A small breeze made the day bearable.

The picnic was held under trees across from the Curio shop (shown above). Flags had been placed around the area celebrating Memorial Day.

Here is JoAnn at the picnic table. It was fun to eat lunch and see all the visitors.

After lunch, JoAnn and Tom went for a walk around the area. Here is a photo of the lake and some of the folks having a good time for the holiday.

JoAnn found a swingset to play on. The hiking stick came in handy during the walk.

Here is a shot of an inlet on the lake near the boat ramps.

May 2019 Lake Texahoma

JoAnn and Tom ventured to Lake Texhoma for a first time visit to the area. Lake Texhoma is Oklahoma's second largest lake with outstanding fishing opportunities and public facilities for boating and camping. 

The lake is about halfway divided by a bridge for passenger cars. This is part of the route JoAnn and Tom took to reach the lake.

Photo from part of the shoreline of the lake. This area had a large number of campsites for visitors and marinas.

One of the many marinas on the lake. This marina was private and open only to members.

JoAnn on bridge to private marina. Overall, the trip went quite well and with excellent weather.

May 2019 Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, JoAnn's son and wife took us out for Tex-Mex. The food was great and the experience was quite fun.

Penny, Kirby, and JoAnn

May 2019 Bonham State Park

On May 5, 2019 Tom and JoAnn traveled to Bonham State Park, just outside of Bonham, TX. The weather was fair weather cumulus with blue skies. A delightful day to make a drive to the country.

Ranger Station

JoAnn Sitting Peacefully on  Park Bench

Bonham Lake with Pavillon and Pier

2019 Bob Woodward Park (again!)

JoAnn and Tom decided to make a quick visit to Bob Woodward park just to look around on a Monday morning. The park was quiet with maybe 6 or so walkers around the lake. Blue sky and very peaceful.

Lake
Sky was blue with no clouds. Just a few people walking.

SW end of the lake
Good place for a walk or even just to take a break and look around.

We wanted to go out onto the pier but it was flooded from the previous night's thunderstorm.

2019 Cottonwood Mall

On March 24 JoAnn and Tom went on one of their usual walks at a local mall. Cottonwood Mall was exceptional in its heyday. Tom and JoAnn actually bought their wedding rings at a jewelry store in the mall many decades ago. Unfortunately, time has not treated the mall very well as much bigger malls have been recently built in other areas of the Metroplex. They have taken almost all customers away from Cottonwood and so the mall will be closed in the upcoming weeks.

Entrance 2 into the mall

Not many cars in the parking lot. Most folks go to walk as we do.

In we go

Immeat the store windows.diately, it looks like the mall is empty. At one time, the halls were crowed with people. That's JoAnn looking at the store windows.

Top floor. Nothing open and only a couple of people walking.

Bottom floor. Very fews stores and a few people walking. 

2019 Caddo Grasslands and Coffee Mill Lake

On March 17, 2019 JoAnn and Tom went on an excursion to the Caddo Grasslands and Coffee Mill Lake in northeast Texas. The weather was clear and temps were in the mid-sixties. A pleasant day for traveling.

Caddo Grasslands
Several people were fishing on the lake when we arrived. The wind was still and one could almost venture out without a jacket.

Here is JoAnn resting at a nearby picnic table. The view of the lake was quite nice from here.

A view of the pier. We walk out to the end and had a good view of the lake. Although several folks who had been fishing on the lake had left by now, there were still a couple of boats moving slowly around the lake.

We've moved on Coffee Mill Lake. This was a popular fishing spot for folks and lots of people were camping. Don't see how they withstood the chilly nights as it would get down into the 30's.

Coffee Mill Lake. Looks like someone is taking advantage of the fishing opportunities here. 

2018 Bob Woodward Park South

On November 18, JoAnn went over to the Bob Woodward city park. The park has a pavilion, playground, restrooms, fishing pier, sand volleyball court, and hard surface trails. The sky was clear but the temperature was 51 degrees.

Here is JoAnn sitting at a picnic table on the pier.

The pavilion in  the park is quite large. There were a few people walking in the park today.

The small lake has a fountain.

Panorama of the shoreline. There were a lot of ducks out on the water.

2018 Daingerfield State Park

In November, 2018 JoAnn and I went to Daingerfield State Park in east Texas to see the fall colors of the hill country. We have previously been to the park and enjoy it due to being serene and colorful.

JoAnn at the entrance of the park. Although the day was sunny, the temperature was only 49 degrees.

Daingerfield Lake. No one was swimming but there were boaters on the lake.

JoAnn at the lake shore.

Some trees had turned color. However, most trees in the park were evergreens.

JoAnn at the ramp leading down into the water. Folks go down the stairs leading into the water and swim out to the platform.

Area is quite scenic. There is a small store in the park and restrooms.Camping is available.

Small inlet on the lake. Note the picnic tables. Overall, it was a fun trip despite the cold weather.

The lake is home for several ducks. One of them came over to take at look at us. They're quite friendly.

Canoes can be rented for a bit of leisure on the lake.

Shoreline. We had a good time despite the cold weather. It was fun!

2018 Woolaroc & Keystone State Park

Woolaroc stands for "wood", "water", and "rock". It is a collection of paintings some of which were done by Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russel, William R. Leigh, Thomas Moran and others. 

Also in the collection are more contemporary artists such as Wilson Harley, John Clymer, Clark Hulings, and others. 

Much of this collection was personally acquired by Frank Phillips (founder of Phillips Petroleum aka Phillips 66) and has been enhanced by donations from other members of the Phillips family.

The collection also includes pieces of sculpture by western artists including Remington and Russell. The collection is located on his ranch in Oklahoma which has since been turned into a protected area and museum. In addition, there are exotic animals from all over the world which roam these lands freely. In October 2018, JoAnn and I had a chance to visit Woolaroc and also Keystone State Park as part of a very lately celebrated 30th wedding anniversary.

 The visit was outstanding. We will always remember our trip.






Woolaroc

This sign in on the road going into the ranch. There is a strong Indian influence in the collection and the ranch.

This is Frank Phillips and his wife's home on the property and is very large and spacious. 

Different animal species range freely all over the ranch land now donated to the state. Very interesting to see each animal in the "wild".

Joann with Duayne who is married to Joann's daughter Janet. They drove us out to see the area. This is the front of the museum.

Authentic Indian pottery is part of the collection.

Original model of Lincoln sitting in his chair. Used for the model in Washington, DC.

One of the main rooms in the museum. Note the variety of pieces in the collection. There are several rooms such as this.

Indian dress.

There are dozens of hand made statues in the collection all bearing a western theme.

Another room.

Actual head dress worn by local Indians in the area. 

Another statue hand made by an artist.

Amazing collection of animals. The animals actually lived on the ranch and died a natural death and then were preserved.

Replica of an Indian village. The figures are hand carved from wood. 

The view from the front porch of Frank's house. Astonishing. 








Keystone State Park

JoAnn at Keystone.

Floating Docks.

Keystone Lake. Windy and cold.

Keystone Dam