The Long Shadow Of The Mount Wichita Thin Man Witnessing Possible Duck Genocide

That is the Long Shadow of the Mount Wichita Thin Man you are looking at here.

Yesterday during that time of the day when the sun begins to make its slow exit to the west I decided to roll my motorized wheels to Lake Wichita Park to park in the shadow of Mount Wichita prior to climbing the grueling hike to the summit, where the long shadow photo was taken.

The mosquitoes seemed to be more active at this time of the day, with several of the critters invading the interior space of my vehicle. I do not know yet if any successfully got a blood donation from me.

It should not be too long now til the outer world temperature dips below freezing, thus putting an end for the year of the biting insects terrorizing the population with stealth attacks.

This early evening visit to the top of Mount Wichita was the first time I have seen a motor boat motoring over Lake Wichita. And that motoring was done at high speed, looking, at times, almost like a hydroplaning level of high speed.

Above, that spot of white out in the lake is that aforementioned hydroplaning fast boat zooming east on Lake Wichita. This photo was taken soon after I was mortified to see the boat aiming at a flock of ducks, collected together like an island. The boat plowed right into the heart of the duck island. When the wake cleared I saw no ducks.

Like I said, I was mortified.

But, I think the ducks may have ducked, literally, in time, with the boat, I hope, not killing any. A short time later, a distance to the east of where the flock had been hit, a new duck island appeared. Had the ducks transited under water to emerge safely at a new location? I don't know. But that's what I told myself happened. But, I would not be shocked to find a collection of duck corpses washed ashore in the coming days.

What sort of monster would plow a boat into a flock of ducks peacefully minding their business? I suppose it's a derivative of the same type monster who does the same murerous behavior to humans collected on a city street, with the murder weapon a truck or van or car.

And now, some minutes later after the boat assault on a flock of ducks, let's look westerly from the summit of Mount Wichita.

It might be scenically interesting to view the sun actually setting whilst viewing such from the Mount Wichita summit. But, one would definitely need a flashlight to illuminate the treacherous descent back to ground level.

Or a full moon...

Is Indoor Plumbing An Imaginary World Class Fort Worth Luxury?

When one goes out for lunch at a restaurant in a modern American city one expects such restaurant in such city to have indoor plumbing.

One does not expect, in a modern American city, to see an amenity, such as indoor plumbing, touted as a feature, along with hamburgers and hotdogs.

And then there is that modern world class city of Fort Worth, implausible future home of Amazon HQ2..

I have been asked a time or two from people from other locations, well, west coasters, if Fort Worth is really as backwards as I describe it.

As in is Fort Worth really a town with city parks without running water or modern restrooms? With no public pools? With miles of streets without sidewalks? With a downtown ghost town? With no real newspaper? With wanton corruption and bizarre lunacy in instances such as the Trinity River Central City Uptown Panther Island District Vision, more commonly known as America's Biggest Boondoggle?

When I am asked such questions, I have to be honest, and tell the asker that yes, Fort Worth is as backwards as I describe it.

For instance, there really is only one location in Fort Worth which is remotely unique and remotely tourist attraction worthy. That being the Fort Worth Stockyards.

And in the Fort Worth Stockyards one finds multiple examples of Fort Worth's backwardness in the indoor plumbing area which gives one a good idea as to why Fort Worth is known as the Outhouse Capital of America.

I am not sure, but I think maybe BIG BALLS OF COWTOWN may no longer be in business. But, while those BIG BALLS were in business, and if they still are, BIG BALLS lets its customers know they can expect to find Indoor Plumbing inside instead of an outhouse out back.

And the Cadillac Cantina is proud to let you know they have Indoor Restrooms in addition to drink specials.

For the final two examples I do not remember the names of the establishments. One of which features the Indoor Restrooms feature and drink specials, along with some special air conditions.

And another which proudly features Indoor Plumbing along with fried potatoes and hot dogs.

Is there any other town in America where one can find this type thing in one of the town's tourist attractions?

Even downtown Fort Worth is sadly lacking in modern public facilities to facilitate the comfort of the few tourists to visit that underdeveloped space. Even when the impossible to find Sundance Square finally appeared as a plaza, after decades of confusing the town's few tourists with its non existence, Sundance Square Plaza has no modern restroom facilities.

Sundance Square Plaza does not even have that Fort Worth standard non-modern world outhouse option.

So,  is it any mystery why Fort Worth's favorite son, J.D. Granger, uses any form of outhouse he finds, when the need strikes, no matter how primitive it may be... 

J.D Granger Wears T-Shirt Anonymous Finds Incomprehensible

A couple days ago I mentioned I had suffered a Multiple Blog Comments Publishing Faux Pas.

Among those blog comments was one from way back in early August from someone named Anonymous...

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Heading North To The Smoky Pacific Northwest Without Elsie Hotpepper":

There's a Star-Telegram pic of J.D. Granger at the final Rockin' The River event of 2017. 

Granger is in pic #32 wearing a stupid tee shirt that is incomprehensible to me.

Rockin' the River at Panther Island Pavilion, August 5, 2017

Well.

I think I can read, for the most part, what is written on the tee shirt which Anonymous finds incomprehensible...

OF COURSE

I DON'T GET OUT,

IT ALL GOES

TO DALLAS

ANYWAYS

I think what Anonymous may be finding incomprehensible is the fact a grown man in an imaginary position of authority, being the pseudo Executive Director of a quasi public agency known as the Trinity River Vision Authority, would wear a tee shirt which basically informs us he does not get out of the Trinity River when he needs to relieve himself after excess beer consumption, because that of which he relieves himself flows to Dallas anyway.

J.D. Granger is talking about urinating in the Trinity River whilst floating on an inner tube, drinking beer, listening to music emanating from a shed propagandized as a pavilion on a chunk of land propagandized as being an island.

In other words, Rockin' the River at Panther Island Pavilion.

Now, if J.D. were to decide to exit the river when he feels the need to urinate he could avail himself of one of the lovely outhouses his agency has installed on the banks of the Trinity River. These may be the most luxurious outhouses in all of Fort Worth. They are surrounded by concrete enclosures, which almost disguises their outhouse reality.

As I scrolled through the photos to which Anonymous directed me, searching for the one of J.D. Granger's tee shirt, I also saved a few other photos for documentation purposes to show people in other parts of America, and the world, and Amazon, that which passes for a mighty fine time in Fort Worth.

Above is the first photo one comes to in the Rockin' the River at Panther Island Pavilion, August 5, 2017 article. In the foreground a couple heading to the river, with the male half proudly sporting a tank top properly paying homage to the American flag, with the message "BACK TO BACK WORLD WAR WINS".

Behind the couple we see throngs of floaters contributing to the flow of polluted river water making its way to Dallas.

A closer look at some of the River Rockers, in the not crystal clear water of the Trinity River, many with future Dallas river water in hand.

And above we get a look at that stunning architectural wonder known as Panther Island Pavilion. I do not know which world renowned architect designed this iconic symbol of Fort Worth.

That is the imaginary island, known as Panther Island, upon which the beautiful pavilion sits. Currently the Trinity River Central City Uptown Panther Island District Vision, more commonly known as America's Biggest Boondoggle, is struggling to build three simple little bridges over dry land to connect the Fort Worth mainland to that imaginary island.

One day, far in the future, a ditch may be dug under those three bridges, with the Trinity River diverted into the ditch, creating what Fort Worth propagandizing illusionists pretend will be an island.

I am fairly certain it would be accurate to say the majority of the people who live in Fort Worth are appalled at the idea of using the Trinity River for water recreational purposes of the float on an inner tube sort. Multiple times the Rockin' the River Happy Hour Inner Tube Floats have had to be cancelled due to dangerously elevated e.coli levels, among other pollutants.

One would think, if Fort Worth had actual city leaders, actually leading the city in some semblance of sanity, that those city leaders would see it as a sad commentary on Fort Worth's lack of fun, outdoor recreational opportunities, what with so many locals willing to inner tube on a polluted river while drinking beer listening to music emanating from a river side shack.

And here we have one of those aforementioned supposed city leaders, J.D. Granger, working on helping contribute to the flow of water heading towards Dallas...

Joining Throngs Of Mountaineers Braving Almost Frigid Cold To Conquer Mount Wichita

Yesterday, if I am remembering correctly, and sometimes I do, I made mention of the fact that it seems there is a temperature sweet spot where Texans are much more prone to outdoor activity than when the temperature is not being so sweet.

We are currently in that temperature sweet spot. Not too hot, not too cold.

Hence today upon arrival I saw multiple people making their way to the summit of Mount Wichita. By the time I got out of my vehicle and in photo taking mode, the first group had conquered the summit.

That temperature sweet spot today was 76 degrees when I made my way to the summit of Mount Wichita. From that summit viewpoint I could see a lot of people enjoying the Circle Trail in various ways, just like yesterday, walking, jogging, biking and skateboarding. I saw no roller bladers today

I did see two recumbent bikes. I have never ridden one of those. Sometimes they look fun, sometimes not. On the Circle Trail a recumbent bike might be fun. Where one deals with hills and traffic, not so much.

The North Texas temperature is currently scheduled to get not so sweet. As in tonight's low is predicted to be 46, tomorrow's 44.

44 degrees is only 12 above freezing. That's cold.

This seems earlier than the norm to be tempted to switch the temperature control device from cooling mode to heating mode.

Multiple Blog Comments Publishing Faux Pas

Last night I checked in on my Blogger account looking for a previously published comment in the "Published Comments" section.

I then clicked on the "Awaiting Moderation" option and immediately saw there were a lot of comments awaiting moderation which I had not seen before.

When someone makes a comment to a blog post Google sends me an email. I open the email, read the comment, and if it is appropriate to do so I click on "Publish Comment".

But, I had not seen these comments, due to, I guess, being a bit distracted.

The comments faux pas period appears to be from June 7 til June 25. And then again from August 8 til August 22.

During those time frames I had limited contact with the Internet. And when I did have contact with the Internet it was not a leisurely contact.

Hence missing seeing incoming emails, among other things.

So, last night I hit the publish button on a lot of previously unpublished blog comments from the likes of Steve A, Cowtown Crude, Prairie Paintbrush, Unknown, Connie D., Bulletholes, Aunt Jane, Kat, Cousin Scott, Stenotrophomonas, Scott Bodenheimer, Lena H., Gale McCray, Ram, Others, and, of course, Anonymous.

I am mortified regarding this inexcusable ineptitude.

This is my worst blog comment scandal since years ago when a blog comment frenzy broke out due to Gar the Texan being all Mr. Fussy Pants over a controversial sinkhole near his old hometown of Wink, way out in West Texas, with me losing control of being able to moderate the frenzy of comments fast enough for them to maintain any sort of logical order.

One of the blog comments which I had not seen until last night was an amusing, embarrassing comment about one of my favorite amusing embarrassing subjects, that being the amusingly embarrassing J.D. Granger.

The J.D. Granger amusing embarrassment is fodder for a separate blogging, likely to appear real soon....

Sunday Catching Fish With Egrets Biking On Lake Wichita Dam

If I remember correctly, yesterday I mentioned I was tired due to a tiring loud long thunderstorm the night previous which had hampered my ability to be peacefully horizontal, rendering me tired, real tired, all day yesterday.

But today, the morning of the second Sunday of the third to last month of 2017 I found myself not tired when I got vertical after a long night of peaceful slumber and disturbing nightmares.

And so, fully of energy, I decided to get myself some endorphins via aerobic activity by rolling wheels against the wind on the Circle Trail, heading south to Lake Wichita Dam, where I saw the lake level has somewhat fallen, thus making it easier for a flock of egrets to assemble on top of the dam's spillway to facilitate the easy catching of fish funneled over the spillway.

Multiple humans were also seen, joining the egrets in the fish catching thing. Also, unlike with the egrets, with two of the humans I saw a successful catching of fish, with the species appearing to be either perch or sunfish or both.

Judging by the throngs joining me today on the Circle Trail, biking, roller blading, skateboarding, jogging, walking, fishing, and pushing baby carriages, we are at that temperature sweet spot where Texans are more willing to engage in outdoor activity, weather babies that they usually be.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I also saw mountain climbing to the summit of Mount Wichita, which apparently has already dried out from yesterday's deluge. However, something looked oddly flattened about the top of Mount Wichita which had me momentarily wondering if it had suffered a height reducing lightning strike.

Tomorrow I will likely go for an up close look at the summit of Mount Wichita to see if the summit has suffered some sort of reduction calamity...

Wichita Falls Sleep Robbing Thunderstorm With Lili Von Shtupp

I'm tired.

Not tired for all the same reasons as Lili Von Shtupp in Blazing Saddles, but tired nonetheless.

Night falls, sleep is fleeting, and then morning arrives. And I'm tired.

Last night, around midnight, bright lights began to flash, with loud booms booming about the same time as the bright lights flashed.

Rain poured down providing background music for the light and sound show.

I do not know how long the flash booms and downpouring went on before deciding to cease. By morning the outer world appeared to be mostly dry and the sky mostly blue.

An hour before noon I decided to roll my handlebars to the Circle Trail to get a look at Holliday Creek to see if once again Holliday Canyon was being over run with high water. Well, last night's deluge did not cause the creek level to rise to the level it rose to earlier in the week, but there was some rapid action, which you see my handlebars looking at above.

The right bar end on the handlebar is pointing at an egret at creek's edge looking like it thinks it's about to have fish for lunch.

The egret should have come home with me for lunch. I would have shared my tuna fish sandwich...

Rolling Circle Trail To Lucy Park Past Wichita Falls Giant Mushrooms

With the return of blue sky and dry ground today I activated yesterday's aborted, due to a soaking rain, plan to roll my wheels on the Circle Trail, north to where the Circle Trail leaves Holliday Creek to enter Williams Park, before continuing on along the Wichita River.

I figured the Circle Trail would be under water, as in flooded, due to its proximity to the Wichita River, which has been in the local news of late for bad behavior, such as flooding Lucy Park.

Well, I got to Williams Park, which clearly had seen some flooding, and then I arrived at the Wichita River, which clearly had also been doing some flooding, including covering the now dry Circle Trail, leaving only a thin layer of Utah-type redrock-like dust behind.

I forgot to mention, at multiple locations along the way I came upon giant mushrooms. On the third instance of seeing such I stopped to photo document the giant fungi, which is what you see above. I am fairly certain these are not some variant of Psilocybin Mushrooms, also known as Magic Mushrooms.

In my old home zone of Western Washington, Magic Mushrooms are a popular, free to harvest, natural organic item of vegetation, like blackberries, only more medicinal and difficult to harvest.

I did not know Magic Mushrooms grew in Texas until several years ago when I attended a protest event in Fort Worth hosted by Elsie Hotpepper at a newly opened restaurant which had a nefarious association with what has become America's Biggest Boondoggle. The protest that day, near as I could tell, entailed ordering food and drink from the restaurant's menu and then complaining about it.

Anyway, at that protest, for reasons I no longer remember, one of the protesters told me about how she grew her own tobacco to make homemade cigarettes, one of which she smoked as she told me about her healthy organic farm. Where she also grew Magic Mushrooms.

Enough with the Magic Mushroom digression. Continuing on with today's bike ride.

What with the Circle Trail not being flooded I opted to continue on, thinking there was no way the trail would be clear of water and mud all the way to Lucy Park. When I got to the Wichita Falls waterfall which is becoming known as Frequently Dry Falls, I was not too shocked to once again find Wichita Falls' signature waterfall turned off. The last time I saw the artificial falls, up close, it was sort of dribbling, not really in waterfall mode. Today it was totally dry, falling water-wise.

In the view above I climbed up on rocks one is probably not supposed to climb on to take a picture looking back at the Wichita River, the new bridge across the falls, and my bike.

As you can see the Wichita River is currently running strong with that Utah-like redrock color I am fond of.

Soon after leaving Frequently Dry Falls I entered Lucy Park, pleased to see the recent flood has completely left the park. And the suspension bridge across Wichita River no longer being flooded. The suspension bridge appears to have suffered zero damage from its recent bout of being hit with too much water and flotsam.

I rolled the Circle Trail loop around Lucy Park and then began my long roll back home. Stopping, eventually, at the location of the original Wichita Falls on the Wichita River. The original falls was destroyed by a flood way back in the late 1800s.

The grand total of miles rolled today was over 20. The longest bike ride I have ridden in quite some time. I think I had myself a mighty fine time, but I'm not quite sure. We shall see how I feel in the morning...

Watching Wichita Falls Water Wheel In The Rain

What you see here was installed in the last month, give or take a day or week or two.

A Wichita Falls Water Wheel.

No, this is not the latest Wichita Falls electricity generating facility.

It was not long after I arrived in Wichita Falls that a long ago Wichita Falls temporary resident known as Captain Andy told me about what he thought was a unique Wichita Falls feature. With that feature being the disguising of traffic control electrical boxes with various disguises, mostly, from what I have seen, derivations of Japanese pagodas.

This new traffic control electric box disguise is at the intersection of Maplewood and Lawrence, near ALDI, Walmart and directly across the street from the newly opened P:anda Express Chinese fast food joint.

Changing the subject to those drops you see on the right side of the windshield, drops out of the range of the rapid sweeping motion of the windshield wiper.

Rain is once again falling in copious amounts, The flooding from the last bout of copious rain has not yet abated, and now we are getting a fresh dose. Along with some lightning strikes and thunder booms.

Today, prior to the rain arrival, my plan was to roll my bike wheels north on the Circle Trail til I could roll no more, due to reaching the part of the Circle Trail flooded by the over full Wichita River.

I am hoping this latest bout of stereotypical Pacific Northwest winter weather ends before I get SAD (Seasonally Affected Disorder) again, like I suffered from last week...

Photo Mystery From Favorite Nephew Jason's Estranged Aunt

I do not know what to make of this incoming which came in a few minutes ago from Spencer Jack's dad, my Favorite Nephew Jason....

FUD-

Received this photo from your eldest sister at 5:20 pm Skagit time via a text message.  

Photo was accompanied by the words, "Your dad needs help!"

It has been many years since I have heard from my estranged Aunt.

I chose not to respond for a multitude of obvious reasons.

I did forward the photo to my brother, and yet to here a response on the matter.

He normally can provide logic to ease my family abnormality happenings.

He told me he was unavailable for conversation tonight, busy with his domestic room mate at a gaming establishment.

Maybe his company provided phone sensors such exposing pictures and he didn't receive the forwarded lewdness.

I just thought I'd email you my concerns:

What help may my father need?

Why in the world did your sister after years of not speaking chose to send me this tonight?

I'm hoping you can provide insight to calm my rattled nerves.

-FNJ