Sobering Sign?
Who am I to say it won’t have a sobering effect?
Monthly Archives: December 2016
A Sign of the Season
Have some more fruitcake and eggnog!
Positive Sign
The enterprising roadside sellers near New Mexico’s Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, offer some tempting Native American creations if you’re up for shopping.
Sign Out
I noticed this notice at the Earthship Biotecture World Headquarters and Visitor Center near Taos New Mexico–definitely an out there kind of place.
Port Galveston’s Got Legs
As we headed across the bridge to visit Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Steve speculated about the structures across the bay. I was too interested in the pelicans to make a good guess as to what they were, but Steve figured it out. His guess was confirmed at the museum, the ideal place to learn all about those jack-up platforms. The “towers” in the first picture above are actually legs that are lowered to the seafloor and secured, so the platform can be jacked up out of reach of the waves. Lots more to see and learn on the Ocean Star, and probably your only chance to explore an off-shore rig inshore.
Galveston’s Rescued Tall Ship
Standing on deck, soaking in the masts, rigging, and other nautical necessities* was extra thrilling after seeing Elissa’s history video. Built in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1877, she sailed the seas for 90 years and was bound for a scrap yard in Greece when the Galveston Historical Foundation bought her. It took 4 years just to strengthen her enough to survive the tow ‘home.’ Had the Foundation known how many volunteers, historical craftsmen, and donations her makeover would take, she’d have probably stayed scrap. Little wonder that Elissa is one of the world’s oldest sailing hulls still in operation. Galveston has to be proud of her as well as their fortitude in seeing the […]
Dolphins Boosting Wounded Warriors
Since 2009 the Dolphin Research Center in Florida has been partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project to ease severely wounded heroes into healthy civilian lives. Project Odyssey, named for Homer’s saga of a hero’s journey home, helps brain injured and PTSD warriors work through challenges and improve their outlook. The warriors participate with peers in a three day retreat which includes dolphin dock interactions and a dolphin swim. The atmosphere and activities are designed to invite warriors to connect with their outer world in a stress-free, nurturing environment. In addition to core goals of bonding with others on similar journeys, connecting with nature, and learning new skills in a novel setting, the program supports the warriors […]