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Tag Archive - San Angelo

On San Angelo

October 11, 2009 in Da Fam., Day in the life., Ridin' with 4 Comments

In Chicago, we were lucky to have family straight down Pulaski and just around the lake in Western Michigan. Allegan is a hamlet of a town and my folks live in the middle of the woods – it’s pure and fresh and beautiful.

Now that we live in Austin, we’re fortunate for a similar set up. Our extended family is here in town and San Angelo is almost the exact same distance for us to travel to see the ‘rents. The commute is a bit different – the Texas Hill Country offers views second to none (sorry, Gary, IN).

But it’s more than beauty along the road. San Angelo is a cultural hub of western central Texas.

To understand that fact you must consider the far western counties. Some have as many as 2,000 people in them (yes, the whole county). It’s barren, the land is cheap and there is dirt forever, interrupted once by gorgeous mountains.

By comparison, San Angelo is huge at 88,000 people. There are sports teams and shopping and nice restaurants – everything you might travel hours to experience.

There is a rich tradition of military use of the land around San Angelo, and Buffalo Soldiers were even trained at Ft. Concho. Livesotck is the primary money mover, including sheep and lambs and cattle.

I’ve made several cycling friends in San Angelo, and the state park is a mecca for nature lovers and mountain bikers who enjoy dozens of miles of trail that change with the seasons.

The Playground Trail offers nice views at the top.

I often find myself resting under big live oak trees on the north end and calling loved ones to catch up. It’s very serene.

We’re fortunate to have San Angelo and her rest-filled days, swimming-filled afternoons (see Katie and PJ diving here – Facebook login req’d) and peaceful nights. They help us forget the big city and lawn care and neighbors and bills and jobs.

And much like Allegan and Kalamazoo, San Angelo is a place that some people might not consider as more than just a stop along the road. But if you experience them in further depth, you’ll guaranteed to uncover a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be found.

Holiday Photos are up.

March 6, 2009 in Austin, Texas, Da Fam., Da wife., Katie, Patrick, Twins! with 5 Comments

Yes, it’s March. But I have twins, and therefore a built-in excuse. Plus I was waiting for this blazing fast Internet to avoid long upload times.

Click on this image to hit our Flickr site for all the images from Christmas in Austin and San Angelo, skiing in Breck, our holiday card photo shoot and the kid’s new cool Bears outfits.

It was a great season…so wonderful to be with almost all of our families. (Missed you Dad and Karen and Mandy and Bridge).

Random musings.

January 6, 2009 in Austin, Texas, Da wife., Day in the life., Family and friends, Katie with Comments Off

Since I haven’t really posted on this blog in awhile, I thought I’d throw down some random thoughts. Kind of like I do on Twitter or Facebook, only back in the place where it all started for me back in ’06.

Don’t think any worse of me for it, writing helps keep the creative spirit flowing.

- When I watch TV shows or movies with old, unique cars, I think about owning them. Last night there was a LeCar on My Name is Earl, so I checked on eBay. No dice.

- Somebody I follow on Twitter wrote “Touchdown Horns. Oh thank the Lord”. That makes me cringe for some reason.

- Elvis’ birthday is coming up. I want to celebrate. Let’s do something fun.

- When Katie says “outside”, it sounds like “South Side!” and that makes me smile. I’m going to make a video of it.

- My rental car for the week is a Chrysler. As to not upset anyone who drives one, that’s all I’ll say about that.

- I experienced bizarro world customer service today. AT&T was amazingly nice and efficient. PayPal kept me on the line forever. I was thinking it shoulda been the opposite.

- Working from home has definite advantages, like being scared shitless by a kid’s toy in the playroom that goes off on it’s own.

- We’re going to Breckenridge. We’re going to Breckenridge. We’re going to Breckenridge. And I can hardly wait to ski again.

- Every year we have these amazing peanuts at the holidays. Dad left 40oz of the bastards in my kitchen. Hubs are the best.

- Will someone please say something to the people at Toyota to build the hybrid minivan so I can sell my SUV and buy the Jeep of my dreams already. Yeesh. Demand is so high.

1981 Scrambler – I prefer a CJ7 in a Laredo package – but she sure is pretty, and right there for sale in my in-laws West Texas town of San Angelo.

Happy New Year!

Tour de Fat hits Austin once again

October 20, 2008 in Austin, Texas, Da Fam., Da wife., Friends, Katie, Patrick, Ridin' with 3 Comments

2008 marked the second year the Tour de Fat came to Austin. I don’t know how you can go wrong with bicycles, a two-wheeled parade downtown, beer, food, freak bikes to play with, slowest bike races and trackstand competitions – and all the profits go to local cycling charities (Yellow Bike, Austin Cycling Assoc and Austin Ridge Riders).

We rode down with Joe and Margaret Udell, and met Carol Monk and my friend Kyle from San Angelo. Good times had by all. Around 30 miles on the day, I dragged the kids on the single speed. What a workout.

Looking forward to next year. Thanks to New Belgium Brewing for hosting a unique, nationwide promotion to raise funds for local organizations.

Click images to make them larger, if you desire.