Manly Men & Wild Women Hike The Hills Video

That's the Queen of Wink Wild Woman chasing behind me yesterday during the Manly Man & Wild Women Hike at the Tandy Hills in Fort Worth's biggest event of the day.

Below is a message from Don Young regarding yesterday's wild hiking and below that is the YouTube video Don is talking about...

Soreness and sunburn aside, The 1st annual Manly Men & Wild Women (& kids & dogs) Hike on the Hills was a roaring success. Participation was much greater than expected. The weather was just right. The company was excellent. The hills and valleys did their job of providing exercise ramps and eye-pleasing vistas.

Thanks again to all you alpha males and females for showing up and supporting Tandy Hills Natural Area. I hope to see you all on January 23rd for the Brush Bash.

Jim Marshall, has put together a nifty little YouTube vid of the MM WW HH event. Check it out here:

Fraccing The Barnett Shale Perplexes Me

I saw the notices you see in the picture, yesterday, pinned to the gate that blocks the entry to the Chesapeake Energy Scott Avenue Thomas 1H Barnett Shale natural gas drilling site.

I've been a Citizen, I mean Victim, of the Shale for a lot of years now and I still don't understand how it works. I guess I have not tried too hard to learn.

These notices indicated "Frac Dates" of Monday 1/12/09 to Wed 1/14/09. And a "Pump Time." Pumping what?

Yikes! Typing that made me realize this Frac date is not next week, it was a year ago. I forgot we have moved into a new decade and left the "Aughties" behind.

Which means the question that was perplexing me is no longer perplexing me. And that question was I thought the fraccing had already taken place at this site, because I remember video taping it.

So, is the fraccing a one time deal? Somehow a lot of chemically enhanced water is sent down into Barnett Shale via the hole that's been noisily drilled and this water causes the shale to shatter and release a lot of natural gas?

What role does the sand play? The second notice has to do with "Staging Sand Trucks." The Queen of Wink told me that she's seen mysterious giant piles of sand appear in her zone of West Texas. Is that where the sand is coming from?

After the chemically enhanced water does its fraccing job, then where does the chemically enhanced water go? Back to the surface? How does that work? I mean the chemically enhanced water has shattered the shale, releasing gas, that released gas, I assume, starts coming up the well shaft.

I'm perplexed. Maybe I'll try reading the Wikipedia article about the Barnett Shale again. When I tried that previously it didn't help alleviate my ignorance on this subject.

Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McLendon Tipped Over In Outhouse

TXsharon sent me an Outhouse photo yesterday. It doesn't fit my particular Outhouses of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex Project.

These Outhouses are not in a park and they are in Wise County. I think Wise County is outside the Metroplex. I think that's where Decatur is.

The details of the Outhouses spotted by TXsharon are a bit skimpy, but I believe they are at a Chesapeake Energy Barnett Shale gas drilling site.

Because, and again I repeat, skimpy details, but I think this is a Chesapeake Energy operation because apparently Aubrey McClendon was using the Outhouse on the left when TXsharon sent in a Monkey Wrencher to knock it over.

TXsharon was hoping to get a shot of McClendon climbing out of the fallen Outhouse, but drill riggers started running towards her and her Monkey Wrenching gang, so she took this one picture and high tailed it out of there.

TXsharon, obviously, is one of those Texas Wild Women you've been reading about lately.

Aches & Pains Caused By Texas Wild Women

Yesterday's Tandy Hills hike with all those Wild Women and Manly Men really did me in.

As in this morning just about everything that could possibly be sore, is.

That Queen of Wink was the Wildest of the Wild Women. Trying to keep up with her is what I think did me in.

I read an article a couple days ago about how some sports trainers treat muscle aches with ice therapy.

So, I tried that this morning and forced myself to try and stay in the pool for what might be a therapeutic amount of time. I think I remember 45 minutes was the amount of time it took this therapy to work. I lasted about 5 minutes and then went running to the hot tub.

After a couple cycles out of the hot tub and back in the pool my aching body was aching less. Or maybe I'd just numbed the pain. My therapist, Dr. L.C., has gone missing, right when I'm such a mess.

Tandy Hills Hiking With Wild Women, Manly Men, The Queen Of Wink & Princess Annie

Well. I have had me a day. It started out good with a dip in the pool. A bit before 10 I headed towards the Tandy Hills. I parked on the east side of the park so that my vehicle would be well positioned should I want to escape.

I miscalculated how long it would take me to hike from where I parked to where the Manly Men and Wild Women were assembled.

When the assembly area came in to view I could see that the assembly had not yet started hiking. Don Young was on a pedestal telling the group what lay ahead for them.

About 15 minutes later the hike finally began.

Oh. I forgot to mention, I was not too shocked to see the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie. The Queen had already spotted me, so it was no surprise when I came up behind her and asked what the hell she was doing there. She said Annie kept asking was this person Durango, was that person Durango. And then my, apparently, distinctive walk came into view and the Queen told Annie that that is Durango.

I was surprised by how large the hiking group was. I surmised this was going to be interesting, as it seemed fairly obvious that these people would have widely different hiking speeds. That, and I'd already discovered the trails were muddy, icy and slippery in places.

Every time we'd stop to wait for the stragglers to catch up I'd overheat and steam up my sunglasses. The Queen did not get as hot and steamy as I did.

We reached the top of a long climb. And waited. Annie then launched a berry attack on me with the first wave being a Japanese Pearl Harbor type sneak attack. When Annie came in for her second attack I was well armed with my own handful of berries. She was not expecting that.

Soon Don Young showed up and told us the next stop was Tandy Falls. I was thinking some of this group is going to have a hard time getting down there. My group took off towards the falls, with Annie in the lead.

By the time we made it to Tandy Falls I'd informed the Queen that I had an escape vehicle parked nearby. The Queen instantly subscribed to that plan. Annie was a bit confused, wanting to wait for the rest of the group.

It was fun hiking with that big group, most people I've ever seen hiking the Tandy Hills, but I could not take the stopping and waiting.

So, we loaded into the escape vehicle and I asked if the Queen would like to go anywhere. She had no where in mind. I asked if she'd like to drive around and see stuff. I like driving people around and seeing stuff. The Queen was quite agreeable to that plan.

First I drove to nearby Oakland Lake Park and Fosdic Lake, then down Oakland Avenue, seeing the big Chesapeake Energy complex that pops up at the end of Oakland. Then on to Gateway Park and Fort Woof, pointing out Town Talk as we drove by.

At Gateway Park Annie had a bit of an acrophobia incident crossing the bridge that connects to the Trinity Trails. Then she wanted to go on the dam/bridge that makes a waterfall of the Trinity River. There she climbed down onto the falls and made me a bit nervous.

After we were done with Gateway Park I asked if the Queen had been to the Fort Worth Stockyards. She had not. I asked if she'd seen the new Dallas Cowboy stadium. She had not. Somehow the stadium won out over the Stockyards.

As soon as I got off the freeway it was obvious something was going on in the stadium. I knew it was not a Cowboys game because I was seeing no silver and blue, just a lot of orange. I rolled down the window and asked. Cotton Bowl. Some team from Oklahoma was playing some team from somewhere else. I thought the Cotton Bowl was in Dallas at Fair Park.

And the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot was closed off, just like it is for Cowboy games, only this time there were an awful lot of buses parked on the lot. I hope they don't get towed.

At this point in time Annie announced she was hungry. After inquiring as to what type vittles were wanted, we went to Sweet Tomatoes, where Annie made artful plate arrangements with her mom's leftovers.

Before we got to Sweet Tomatoes Annie informed her mom that her phone was making noises. Annie's mom checked her phone to find a voice mail from Don Young telling her the hike terminated by 12:04 and they were heading to 8.0 in downtown Fort Worth. We were about 25 miles from there at that point in time.

After Sweet Tomatoes we headed west with a stop at Veterans Park. I wanted to show the Queen the bizarre gas drilling rig that's right up against an apartment complex. A well dressed woman in stiletto heels walked by as we drove in. I've never seen such a sight at this location before.

Then it was back towards the Tandy Hills where the Queen's Chariot awaited her return. But, before we got there we drove down Carter Avenue, paid a visit to Mother Nature guarding Scott Avenue and then headed back to View Street and the aforementioned Chariot.

So, the Manly Men and Wild Women Hike turned into a very enjoyable day. Princess Annie and the Queen of Wink were a lot of fun. The most amusing thing I heard today came from Princess Annie. She asked me how old I was. Why are you asking me such a rude question said I. Annie then said, "You act 23, but your hair is white."

I told Annie I was 29. She did not quibble with that number. Kids.

The Wild Women Of Fort Worth Are Prairie Bound This Morning

In less than an hour dozens of Wild Women will be traipsing over the Tandy Hills in Fort Worth. A few Manly Men will be joining the Wild Women.

Yesterday the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie packed an overnight bag and left Wink, destination undisclosed.

I suspect Wink's Royalty will be among the Wild Women on the Fort Worth prairie this morning.

It is currently barely above freezing out there, at 35 degrees. It was 30 when I went in the pool at 7:30. And the hot tub at 7:31. So we are warming up fast to the predicted high of 52.

My window of time is narrowing down when I have to decide if I'm joining the Wild Women. Or not. It is less than a half hour til the traipsing begins. Way earlier than my usual traipsing time. And with me being the creature of habit that I am, this time shift is real difficult for me. That and it's cold out there. I don't handle cold very well.

The Queen Of Wink's West Texas Black Eyed Peas Question

The Queen of Wink just returned from her mommy and daddy's, where she partook in the traditional New Year's food, like black eyed peas and cabbage.

The Queen asked me if Washingtonians partook of these foods at New Years.

Well.

At least she had the common sense to ask. Gar the Texan lacked that common sense when he asked me about black eyed peas.

I think it was in 2002, maybe 2003, Gar the Texan and I were going up to Turner Falls in Oklahoma. It was a few days before New Years.

Gar the Texan asked me if I was having trouble finding my black eyed peas this year.

I had no idea what this meant and feared he was slipping into the incoherency of one of his attacks of the vapors, which, ironically he did, shortly thereafter, but not before I told him I had no idea what black eyed peas were, besides Fergie's singing group.

Gar the Texan was shocked to learn that the entire civilized world did not believe you had to eat black eyed peas on New Year's Day to guarantee you'd have good luck during the New Year.

Gar the Texan was in all sorts of panic states due to fearing he'd not find black eyed peas in time to stave off a year of bad luck.

But, you just have had a year of real bad luck, so what good do these peas do you, I asked?

Before Gar the Texan could answer that question he started to have an attack of the vapors. I had to find him a Burger King so he could have a Whopper Burger before he went into total diabetic shock.

I never did get an answer to the what good did the peas do you question.

Since then Gar the Texan's luck has gotten even worse. Nowadays he finds himself married to a German 20 years his junior, who can't speak English. Which works out okay for Gar the Texan. Just today he was bragging about wearing a t-shirt that says, "I do everything the voices in my wife's head tell me to do."

A New Year's Day Walk Around The Fosdic Lake Dam Vision In Fort Worth Texas

By this morning yesterday's New Year's Eve drizzling fog had left town, replaced by our more usual Texas blue sky.

I woke up this morning to find my eyes burning and dripping. Eventually that got better. I don't know what's been in the air the past few days that is doing the irritating, but I don't like it.

By noon I felt the need to commune with nature, so I went to Oakland Lake Park to walk around Fosdic Lake.

I saw several guys fishing today. One of the signs warning you not to eat the fish you catch in Fosdic Lake is behind the fisherman in the picture.

The Fosdic Lake Dam Vision would fix Fosdic Lake, which would then make it possible to eat the fish that swim there and to swim with the fish yourself.

I've rarely seen so many people at Oakland Lake Park as I did today. There were about a dozen kids on the tennis court, not playing tennis, but playing on wheeled devices.

At the start of a new year I always see more people in the parks, acting on their resolution to lose weight and get more exercise. The number of people will quickly dwindle as the resolutions fade.

Several dozen people will be hiking on the Tandy Hills tomorrow, starting at 10am.

Tandy Hills Manly Man & Wild Women Saturday Hike Reminder

That's a real manly man hiking the Tandy Hills that you're looking at in the picture. I don't know if the manly man in the picture will make it to tomorrow's hike.

Got an email from Don Young reminding me of the MM & WM Saturday Hill Hiking. With some new information.

The 1st Annual Manly Men & Wild Women - Hike the Hills is on for tomorrow, Saturday, January 2, 2010 @ 10 am. Over 30 brave souls have RSVP'd. Everyone is welcome.

Weather forecast looks good: No rain or snow is expected. Mostly sunny, cool and calm to light winds. Dress warmly but be prepared to shed layers. The hills are very steep. You've been warned!

But this hike is not just about exercise. Tandy Hills Natural Area is scenic year-round. In the Winter, with all the leaves and grass down, you can appreciate the lovely contours of the namesake hills, the winding creeks and see into secret places normally hidden from view.

Hiking boots are recommended due to the occasionally rough terrain and damp conditions. As always, bring water. Hot coffee and cocoa will be available at the sign-up tent.

Lunch after the hike at the 8.0 Bar & Restaurant, downtown FW in Sundance Square. Moderately priced menu for all ages and tastes. Meet in the Octopus Room. Dutch treat. Dress... casual.

See you on the prairie!

DY

Happy New Year & Penguin Dipping From Texas

New Year's Eve was a very rough night for me. Horrible hangover this morning. Horrible.

Okay, the sad truth is on New Year's Eve I went to bed 4 hours before the New Year began. I'd been feeling ailing all day long, so, before 8, I decided to end the misery and go to bed.

This morning I woke up to find something irritating my eyes real bad. As in stinging. I've decided I'm a victim of my Chesapeake Energy neighboring Barnett Shale gas well.

I got a comment yesterday from Sedro Woolley. That is a town in the Skagit Valley of Washington state. The commenter was my favorite commenter, Anonymous. I also get comments from Sedro Woolley from Miss CVB. Anonymous was not Miss CVB because she's a girl and Anonymous said, "This Sedro Woolley boy is doing this tomorrow. Can't wait!!"

What is it that Anonymous can't wait for? Well, it's the Clear Lake Penguin Dip. Clear Lake is a clear lake near Sedro Woolley. On New Year's Day a lot of people strip down and run into the lake and then get warm by a big fire. A great time is had by all.

So, this morning, with it being the first morning of the New Year, I decided to show solidarity with the Clear Lake Penguin Dip and be there in spirit, if not in body. It also seemed somehow fitting that my first blogging of the New Year include the information that I went in the pool this morning.

It was below freezing at the time. I almost had a bad slipping incident when stepping on a frozen puddle at the pool's edge. That could have been all kinds of bad had I slipped. Next day's news, "Mysterious Death, Body Found Floating In Pool New Year's Day."

I am not starting the New Year with any unusual resolutions. Just the regulars, like lose weight to lose that awful beer belly I've grown in the past couple months. And to go visit my mom and dad in Phoenix.