The Final Friday Of April

Looking skyward through the bars of my patio prison cell on the final Friday of April, day 27, there appears to be some cloud action.

But, no rain is in the current forecast, for today.

However, on the last day of April, Monday, April Showers are in the forecast.

It was windy all night, again, which had me hearing wind chimes tinkling. I do not like wind chimes.

A couple days ago a couple people emailed me asking if it was I who was found dead beside his bike beside the Trinity River. This seemed odd to me, like those people who call to see if I got struck by the tornado they'd just seen on CNN twisting somewhere in Texas.

I'd not bothered to click on the link to the story about the dead biker that those asking if I'd died, politely included in their query, til last night.

I was surprised to learn that the dead biker was found in River Legacy Park. On Tuesday. I biked in River Legacy Park on Monday and Wednesday oblivious to the fact that someone had met his tragic end there.

On a happier note, I was happy this morning to read in my favorite newspaper, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, that Trader Joe's is opening in Fort Worth on June 15. I have only been to one Trader Joe's, somewhere between Sea-Tac and Tacoma. I liked Trader Joe's a lot. I suspect it will be very busy, like In-N-Out, when it opens.

It is currently 68 degrees. I think I will go swimming now before it gets any hotter.

Hot Steamy Tandy Rain Forest Jungle Hiking With Sick Homeless Guy

Tandy Rain Forest Jungle

Lately, due to my aversion to feeling like I need a machete to hack my way through a trail, I've avoided the Tandy Rain Forest Jungle that one goes through when one crosses north across the Tandy Escarpment above Tandy Falls.

But, today when I left the air-conditioned comfort of my abode to head into the outer world for some endorphin inducing aerobic stimulation, I decided to brave my way through the lush vegetation of the Tandy Jungle, sans machete.

The machete-free Jungle passage was not as difficult as I had feared.

It was only in the 80s when I did my hill hiking today. But the humidity had the Real Feel feeling HOTTER. By the time I got back to the air-conditioned comfort of my vehicle I was about as wet as if I'd just stepped out of a shower.

Being about as wet as if I'd just stepped out of a shower, combined with air-conditioning blowing cold set off an interesting bout of sneezing.

On my way back to where I am now I stopped at Albertson's to pick up this week's FW Weekly. When I left Albertson's the sad/sick looking homeless guy I've mentioned previously, who lives in a shanty of cardboard near the now defunct Krogers, was walking towards me. Suddenly the sad/sick guy started hacking with a terrible sounding cough.

I see this guy several times a month. He looks progressively worse. Why is there not a number that you can call when you see someone in dire need of help? Or is there such a number? I know 911 is useless for such things.

I wonder where one can acquire a machete?

Questions About Fort Worth's New Pedestrian Bridge Across The Trinity River

River Legacy Park Trinity River Pedestrian Bridge

The bright sun wreaked havoc, last night, with my attempts to take a good picture of the pedestrian bridge in Arlington's River Legacy Park that takes walkers, bikers and bladers across the Trinity River.

But, even my limited photo taking ability shows you that this is a fairly substantial looking bridge. A very heavily used substantial looking bridge.

I do not know how much it cost to build this particular bridge. I suspect it was less than $3 million.

Yesterday I was surprised to learn that Fort Worth has a pedestrian bridge under construction, somewhere near Trinity Park, connecting the Trinity Trail to downtown Fort Worth.

Fort Worth's pedestrian bridge across the Trinity River will cost around $3 million. Of that $3 million, $2.3 million comes from federal grants, with the City of Fort Worth adding $459,000 and Streams & Valleys adding $200,000 raised from private donors.

I am a little perplexed about the building of a $3 million pedestrian bridge at this location at this particular time. When and where was this expenditure debated and voted upon?

How many miles of sidewalk could be installed in Fort Worth for $3 million? It seems like sidewalks would be a higher priority than a pedestrian bridge in the biggest city in America with the most miles of roads without sidewalks.

How many of Fort Worth's shuttered public pools could be opened for $3 million?

How many more hours could the Fort Worth Public Library system be open with an influx of $3 million?

A few years back Fort Worth decided to limit access to one of its city parks, that being the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, by charging an admission fee. I don't know of any other city, with World Class pretensions, that charges an entry fee to one of its city parks. Particularly to a park of this nature.

A month ago I was in several city parks in the Phoenix zone. Enormous city parks that dwarf anything in Fort Worth, both in size and the number of people using them. None charged an entry fee.

How does this new pedestrian bridge in Fort Worth fit in with the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle? It is downriver from the Woodshed Smokehouse, which somehow became part of J.D. Granger's Vision for the Boondoggle, even though the Woodshed seemed to be too far upriver to be part of the area that the vision originally saw.

What the City of Fort Worth decides to spend money on, and not spend money on, is very perplexing. And how those spending decisions are made is also very perplexing.

The Final Thursday Of April Dawns Warm

The sun has arrived on this last Thursday of April, as you can see via the view from my secondary viewing portal on the outer world.

What you can not see is it is already 69 degrees, heading to a high of 90, if the temperature predictors are correct.

This morning CatsPaw offered to do some photo journalizing for me regarding a bridge. I think I've got it covered, but I can always use more photos.

Elsie Hotpepper sent me a link, this morning, to an article about animal cruelty in my neighborhood. Apparently the case of animal cruelty was discovered by a pair of guys who I caused to spill their beer at last year's Prairie Fest. The article is titled City’s Lack Of Response In Animal Cruelty Case Disturbs Fort Worth Pet Sitters.

I also find the City of Fort Worth's response to these guy's attempt to fix something wrong to be disturbing.

Well, it is that time in the morning when I take a break from being disturbed and go swimming.

Riding Tonight With The Packs Of Bikers At River Legacy Park

I was back to Arlington to River Legacy Park tonight to bike to the 7 miles marker at the far east side of the park.

My secondary motive (primary motive is to try and get in shape) for biking along the Trinity River tonight was to take a picture of the bridge built a few years ago across the Trinity River, connecting the park to both sides of the river and extending the paved trail for several new miles.

I wanted to use a picture of the River Legacy bridge in a blogging where I am intending to opine about a new pedestrian bridge in Fort Worth across the Trinity. But, that blogging will need to wait until tomorrow.

This gives us all something to look forward to.

Back to tonight's bike ride. Once again I was surprised and impressed at the number of Texans out biking, walking, blading and playing.

One change I am sort of ambivalent about.

I don't remember biker packs in years previous biking the River Legacy trails. Tonight I encountered 4 different packs of bikers, pedaling fast, all close together, single file. The biggest group passed me, or met me, 3 times.

I have never understood the attraction of biking in a pack. It'd make me nervous. Each of the packs was very courteous, announcing their high speed passing.

I'm really liking my new bike. Every time I've had a new bike previous there have always been issues requiring a return to the bike shop. So far, no issues.

On The Colorful Tandy Hills Getting Ready For Saturday's Prairie Fest X3 Part 2

Tandy Flowers Growing Wild

I think my plan to get in shape to swim in the waters off South Padre Island is coming along fine. Today's amped up Tandy Hills hiking went particularly well.

As you can see, via the picture, the wildflowers are being particularly wild this year, along with a lot of overly exuberant, equally colorful butterflies.

I arrived at the park on View Street to see what I thought was a big eco-friendly solar powered grass trimmer mowing  the lawn. I assume in preparation for Saturday's Big Prairie Party.

It seems like just yesterday I went to Prairie Fest x3 Part 1, but come Saturday, that Part 1 part was already a month ago.

I got an email from the Don of the Tandy Hills, a couple days ago, with the schedule for Saturday's Prairie Party....

Prairie Fest x3 on April 28 . . . 

- Dallas Area Kitefliers Organization will be coloring the sky above Tandy Hills
- Kites for sale at the festival by, Fun Family Kites
- Plein air painters will be setting up easels on the prairie
- Food Factory science hikes for kids 9 - 12 (see website for details)
- Native Plant Society of Texas plant sale
- Grammy-award winners, Brave Combo, performs with Brazen Bellies (see full stage schedule below)

Stage  Schedule (4/28):

4 PM  Darrin Kobetich  (Six straight years at Prairie Fest)

5 PM  The Ackermans  (Six straight years at Prairie Fest)

6 PM  Fort Worth Scottish Pipes & Drums

6:30 PM  Brave Combo w/ Brazen Bellies

The Final Wednesday Of April Heating To 93 Degrees Today In Texas

The view is blue from my primary viewing portal on this final Wednesday of April.

But the sky is not totally blue. Big puffy white clouds are blotting out some of the blue.

At 65 degrees it is already semi-warm this morning.

The temperature predictors are predicting a high of 93 today. I don't think we've gotten into the 90s yet this year. I may be forgetting a HOT previous day in 2012.

I am skipping my regular morning swim this morning. This is a regularly scheduled morning swim skip. I tend to overdo that which I do, so I have to not do every once in awhile.

I must attend to something important for Elsie Hotpepper now. I'll talk to you later when I have more time.

On The Tandy Hills After A Morning With The Unstoppable Woman

The Re-Erected Bamboo Tandy Teepee

The Unstoppable Woman called this morning which led me to having way too much fun with website issues.

The Unstoppable Woman, to which I refer, is not Elsie Hotpepper.

Now that you've got me thinking about the Unstoppable Elsie Hotpepper, I realize I've not heard from her today. I was too consumed with the other Unstoppable Woman to realize Elsie Hotpepper has gone missing again.

I needed a break from the Unstoppable Woman issues so I took myself to the top of Mount Tandy and had a real fine time walking up and down 8 hills. I figure if I keep doing this type behavior eventually I will get in shape.

I was pleased to see, today, that the keeper of the Bambo Tandy Teepee has re-erected the fallen Teepee.

The mystery of the pile of bamboo, deep inside the Tandy Hills, and the erection of the Bamboo Tandy Teepee has never been solved.

It is a little warm today at 82 degrees. According to my temperature source the humidity has the real feel of the temperature being 87 degrees. 87 degrees is bordering on HOT.

I need to make a phone call about the Unstoppable Woman. I guess I will quit procrastinating and do that now.

The Last Tuesday Of April Dawns With No Favorable Or Unfavorable Opinion About Fort Worth

Looking at the outer world from my secondary viewing portal on this final Tuesday of April, it appears my views is being increasingly blocked by increasingly bigger green foliage.

I don't recollect Texas ever looking as green as it does currently, at any other point, during my exile from the Evergreen State.

Speaking of the Evergreen State, this morning I read something called Public Policy Polling ask the question "Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of (various cities)?"

The title of the article let's you know which city was at the top of the list, "Seattle tops popularity list of U.S. cities".

Two Texas towns are on the list, those being Dallas and Houston. More people had a favorable opinion of Dallas than they did of Houston.

I don't know why these pollsters did not ask if those being polled had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Fort Worth.

But I can hazard a guess.

That being the pollster likely only asked about cities about whom the majority of Americans might have an opinion.

And not ask about cities about whom most Americans know nothing.

Fort Worth might want to ask itself why most Americans know nothing about Fort Worth. It is a question worth pondering in the city that makes America Green with Envy.

It is currently 54 degrees. Time to go swimming before it gets any hotter.

An Evening River Legacy Bike Ride With A Blue Trinity River & New Veridian Trails

The Trinity River Runs Blue Through Arlington

No, that is not the boarded up boardwalk in Fort Worth's Gateway Park you are looking at in the picture.

It is the un-boarded up boardwalk in Arlington's extremely well maintained River Legacy Park.

That blue body of water you see surrounded by lush, green vegetation is the Trinity River.

Somehow, after leaving Fort Worth, the Trinity River is scrubbed of its greenish/brown murky color and cleaned to a glistening blue.

I don't think J.D. Granger's Magic Trees are yet in place to account for the river cleaning.

A couple weeks ago I biked the trails of River Legacy and opined my surprise at the number of people having fun in various ways on the trails, mid-day. I wondered, at that time, how big the crowd was in the evening, or on a weekend.

Well, tonight I learned the answer.

There are an incredible number of Texans getting off their collective big rears and having themselves a real fine time enjoying the perfect weather and Arlington's near perfect park.

I like to leap to big conclusions from very little evidence, so I'm going to leap to the big conclusion that many Texans have tired of being among the biggest people in America and are doing something about it.

The Blocked Paved Trail To Veridian

No wonder Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington have not lately shown up on any list of the Top 20 Fattest Cities in America.

And then there's the Huffine's Veridian project mysteries, due north of River Legacy Park.

Tonight I learned that the trail in the making that leads out of River Legacy Park, to Veridian, has now been paved.

In the earlier blogging about this development Anonymous wondered how access would be controlled at the connection between the public park and the private development.

Well, tonight I think the answer was found. Four orange pillars block access.

What I am curious about is where was the public meeting where the subject of allowing this connection between this private development and this public park was discussed with the public getting to have input?

I had a strong impulse to toss the four orange pillars into the brush and pedal the new trail.

I resisted the impulse.

I really do not like myself when I resist impulses.