This is kind of what I imagine the second coming will look like, only with lots of trumpets and angels. 

I got this terrific shot in the Hill Country of Texas, on our way back to Fredericksburg after visiting Lost Maples Natural Area.  My sister Alice and I were limited on time on this vacation, so we squeezed in as much as we possibly could each day.  It had been a lot farther to Lost Maples than we had anticipated and therefore we got a late start seeing that wonderful area.  We stayed as long as we dared, but we didn't want to be driving on unfamiliar roads in the dark.  Neither of us likes driving at night.  We did manage to make it back to Fredericksburg before it got too dark. . . even had time to stop at an HEB store and get some ice cream.  That's our one indulgence when we're on vacation together.

Contrary to what some may think, I don't take my camera EVERYWHERE I go. And sometimes that's a shame.  I was driving in traffic some time ago and ended up behind a slow moving car that had a washing machine perched up on top it.  I kid you not!  It had two pieces of rope tied around it and through the open car windows, but evidently the folks in the car didn't think that was enough to hold it securely (and who could blame them . . . it  looked pretty precarious to me).  Anyway, every person in the car who was seated next to a window (4 out of the 6 people) had an arm protruding out their window holding on to the washer.  I KID YOU NOT!  Oh, how I wished I had had my camera with me that day.  I mean, how many times in my life time am I going to have a photo op like that drop in my lap . . . and no camera?

Then yesterday morning on my way to work, I saw something that I've never ever seen before, and again . . . no camera.  It's spring in our neighborhood and birds are busy building nice sturdy, yet comfy nests for their families.  I saw this fairly small bird, probably no larger than 5 or 6 inches in length, tail and all, flying through my field of vision and trailing behind him was a piece of potty paper more than a yard long.  It was windy and he was obviously struggling to stay in the air and on course. The whole thing was over in a matter of seconds, so I'm pretty sure that even if I HAD had my camera with me yesterday, I wouldn't have had time to get the picture.  But if I had, it would have been a doozie.    

Somewhere on the road to Medina or Lost Maples

I can't really tell you EXACTLY where this is, just that it's somewhere on the road between Fredericksburg and Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Hill Country of Texas.  My sister Alice and I had headed out from our B&B to see Lost Maples and the winding road we were traveling crossed numerous streams.  We had just come around a corner and almost simultaneously we both declared a "photo op" stop. It was a beautiful spot and the water was crystal clear.  Another camera buff had already stopped before we arrived and had his tripod set up taking pictures. 

I think what we took away from this is that we shouldn't be so intent on the destination that we miss the scenery along the way.  I'm glad to report that we took it ALL in.

NEWS FLASH !!  This is my sister Alice and her husband Warren's 43rd wedding anniversary.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Alice and Warren !!