Recently I drove over a bridge built across the northern ending part of Lake Lavon. The bridge about a mile long provides scenic views of the lake when it is full. Unfortunately due to drought of the past two years the water levels have dropped significantly. Nevertheless the lake is still very beautiful and offers a soothing ambiance.
Here in Texas the best days to look at the sky and clouds is during the early winter or fall days. The sun is bright but not blazing down and burning everything in sight. The sky has a fair share of clouds which provides a nice contrast of white against the bright blue skies. Here are some pictures I shot as I drove along the endless highways of Texas.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is one of the few areas around Dallas where one can see hills and rocks. This is one of the large lakes that dot the area and not too long ago it was believed that the waters had healing properties and people from all over the country would come here for a bath. The city and its water was so famous that at one time the mineral water originating from here was the most sought after. Anyway now since there is more pollution and modernity has set in nobody visits this area for the special water. This is now a small country town which attracts adventurers for its outdoor activity offerings. The state park offers bicycling, hiking and rock climbing options.
One of the biggest national natural events in the US is the occurrence of fall colors. Almost ever state in continental US has its share of fall festivals to celebrate the change of season as evidenced by the changes in colors of leaves. Trees, plants and shrubs change the color of their leaves in preparation for a cold icy winter. This change from Green to red to yellow to brown and finally falling is a phenomenon worth watching out for. Aspen, Colorado is known for one of the best places to view fall colors. When I first came here people said that there is no fall color in Texas, but in the past three years I have been here I have seen fall foliage. Here are some pictures of what I saw recently along the road.
Earlier I had talked about how one can use modern technology to preserve their fondest memories on canvas. Well this time I would like to talk about my little but powerful mobile phone camera. I have one of the most basic phones the LG sliding phone. It is great instrument to talk, communicate and have some fun with. The camera that I had hitherto ignored is a really cool gadget, as I discover now. I shot some images recently as I meandered my way around doing my daily activities, going to school (college)... working..
I have always been a big fan of small handy devices and integrated gadgets. If one device can incorporate everything that I'd need that is what I'd buy. Well the kind of gadget I have always dreamed of having is yet to be manufactured, but for now I am content using the Blackberry with internet connection. This phone has a pretty good camera which is obvious when you look at the images below. I shot these pictures at the Frontier Flight Museum sited alongside the Love Field Airport in Dallas. I liked the venue and there are somethings that I really feel that should be incorporated by all nations in the world to enhance their revenues and also provide a learning, fun locale for kids and elders alike.
Americans love to show off their nationalism and patriotic fervor. They put up their national flag, state flag, quotes like "God Bless America" etc pretty much everywhere. This kind of love for their country and pride in national symbols is very healthy and should be inculcated right from infancy in every nation across the world.
An example how exhibits are arranged in such a way that visitors learn about the actual aircraft and how they fly. Then there are these bouncy fun stuff which children would love to get into and play. These things make the museum experience memorable and children would look forward to visiting again and again.
The above image is an example how private businesses take advantage of the museum to promote their brands and support the local community. The museum runs mainly on grants and sponsorships like these and the businesses gain visibility and recall value in the minds of children who will grow up to become adults and employees, associates or customers of these businesses. This kind of attitude should be developed in the minds of Indian businessmen who are only keen on hoarding money for their dynasty and don't think of giving to the community.
Continuing my report on the short but eventful visit to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, India-homa, I would simply say that our hike turned into a mini adventure after I coaxed everyone into climbing down the rock face into the depths of the valley rather than follow the trail that snaked around the hills to form a natural slope. Once down at the water level we crossed the shallow stream via a trail of rocky outcrops and started retracing our steps around the lost lake.
Here are some pictures:
View of the waterfalls from the base of the hill
The world is full of insensitive people who will litter even the most pristine natural spots.....
Sweeping view of the valley and rock face we just descended
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I agree... but the blabbermouth I am... I was compelled to add a few words to the picture... wonder how it looks and whether it reads alright.
While I was browsing through my old articles and pictures I decided to put everything together in a thematic fashion and make it some sort of a book. I started off with my home state of Karnataka and I compiled only a few articles I had written for EducationWorld and the result is a 54 page book. Having done that I decided that I must share the information with others who might be interested in visiting the various tourist attractions of my home state. I have put up the guide for sale as a PDF download on Guidegekco an online travel site which helps travellers become writers.
Here is an image of the coverpage if any of my blog readers are interested I'd be glad to share the guide with you all. If you are feeling generous you could buy it online at Guidegecko.
If there is suitable number of requests I might even consider offering a print version of the book.
Summer in Texas is the season I dislike, the heat is searing and pierces into one's being. I would fall sick if I am out in the sun the whole day, probably because during the past year and half of being here I have been primarily indoors. Not like in Bangalore when I would be out in the open exposed to the elements more than one day a week. Anyway, one thing I like about summer in Texas is the opportunity to capture some great pictures in natural light. Beautiful cloud formations, colorful flowers, vast open spaces, large fresh water reservoirs, etc. I think the presence of over 100 large (really large) lakes in and around Dallas area makes it a tad cooler otherwise I am sure this place would have bee hot as hell. 
Morning started cloudy and drizzling, as I ran errands driving up and down DFW Metroplex I snapped few pictures from the mobile camera. Here they are.... 
Since arriving at the US in October 2007, I have visited nine out of 50 states of this continent-sized nation. I have been to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York and New Jersey. Though I have carried my camera to most of the places I have visited I haven't had the good fortune of getting great pictures. I post pictures on this blog from time to time whenever I shoot good pictures. Here are some I think are good... would appreciate your opinions on them.... 
Painted Desert National Park, Arizona
River Paluxy, Glen Rose, Texas
Grand Canyon, Arizona
I was going through some pictures of my travels in Karnataka and thought it would be a great idea to share them all on youtube in the form of a video presentation. Here is the result....
I constantly receive inspiring picture-messages from couple of my friends... Today I thought I'd create one of my own and share it on the blog. This is the modified version of the quote I found on the internet and the picture of a temple inside the Chandragiri fort and the mountain is located on the outskirts of Chittor, AP. I wonder how long it will remain from the rapacious eyes of granite mafia... I sure hope this kind of natural heritage survives for several more millenia to come. 
I had posted some pictures I get on a regular basis from one of my e-mail only friends. His pictures coupled with their quotes make them very interesting and inspiring and often touching. Time and again I try to share them with all my blog readers. This time it is about holidaying and happiness. Enjoy your holidays!!! 
I have somehow gotten myself on the mailing list of an individual who specializes in sending a few pictures with inspiring quotes everyday. Initially I was ignoring the mails but then I started looking at them... and now I have decided that whenever I find something really interesting I will share them over here... I hope Prashanth wont mind. 
