Excursion to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico

During the mini-trip to South Padre Island, we decided to take a road trip over to Progresso. Technically, it's Nuevo Progresso, but the Americans just call it Progresso. Any time I get a chance to enter a foreign country, even if it's only a border town, I jump at it.

The sign informs one that the border is near.

The border.

Just inside Mexico, some shops. Please note that there are at least two to four dentists on every block.

An outdoor bar. I admit I had a couple of Corona's with lime under the grass roof.

Vendors' wares line the sidewalks.

A street just off the beaten path.

In addition to dentists, there are numerous pharmacies. Shoppers peruse the merchandise.

More shoppers on the sidewalk.

Another Texas Condo

In November of 2006, drove a car from Florida to Texas for some family members. One of them had a condo on South Padre Island. It was a beautiful home, with stunning views of the Laguna Madre. Here are a few photos from the deck of that condo.

From the deck.

A pool by the laguna.

I love the palm trees.

I can't get enough of the palm trees.

What a life.

That's it From Nebraska

Back home in Columbia now, after a long drive back from western Nebraska. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, and I look forward to the next one, whenever that may be. Someday, I'll have to visit the real Stonehenge in England so I can make a comparison.

Some may wonder why I didn't include photos of the actual Windmill Days events. The reason is really quite simple: there are none, as I didn't take any. I was enjoying myself and just didn't feel like taking pictures. I think I had a better time because of that.

Thanks for listening.

Carhenge in the Afternoon

Once we finished in Bingham, someone suggested that we continue west to Alliance to see Carhenge. Carhenge is a replica of Stonehenge, but made with cars. In addition to the car circle, there are other cars buried to various degrees, as well as other interesting displays. Be sure to follow the link in the Landmarks I've Visited section to get more information.

Entrance sign.

Carhenge.

Some of the cars closer up.

Cars.

Salmon sculpture.

Dinosaur sculpture.

More car art.

A metal ladybug.

A view from afar.

The sign on the car says 'The Fourd Seasons'.

Near Bingham, Nebraska

After Hyannis, we decided to drive west on Nebraska Highway 2 to Bingham. There is a cemetery there that my dad wanted to see. I took some photos of the surrounding countryside.

I have mentioned that I like diagonals and convergence. This has both.

Further out with some trees to balance the shot.

A train passes by near the highway.

A variation of the 'tree and sky' shot.

More countryside.

A lone flower.

Hyannis, Nebraska

These photos were taken on the afternoon of June 23rd and the morning of the 24th in Hyannis, Nebraska. I usually don't include too many shots of similar scenery in the same post, but I'm making an exception in this case to give the reader a better idea of what the sandhills are like.

From a cemetery hilltop west of Hyannis.

From the same hill with the Hyannis airport in the background.

Looking west of the airport. What look like bluffs in the background are actually sandhills.

Now looking southwest at the sandhills.

I had to include a photo of the Ride.

Now on the morning of the 24th, we're in Hyannis awaiting the start of the Windmill Days celebration. I've included a link to a site that discusses Hyannis and Windmill Days in the Landmarks I've Visited section.

I just liked the building.

A stage has been set up for a performance.

Another view of the town

Arthur, Nebraska

The hotel we stayed at on this trip was in Arthur, Nebraska, which is about 34 miles south of Hyannis on Nebraska Highway 61. Both of these towns are in the middle of the Sandhills - great grass-covered sand dunes which cover thousands of square miles. Our hotel was simple, yet comfortable, and being far from any city, very quiet.

View from the porch in front of the hotel.

Also from the hotel porch. Those hills in the background are sandhills.


Highway 61 cutting through the middle of Arthur.

I had to include another shot from the hotel porch.

Windmill Days 2006

My dad graduated from a small rural high school in the town of Hyannis, Nebraska. In June of 2006, he asked my brother Al and I to go to Hyannis with him for his high school reunion. There was also a local celebration going on called Windmill Days. Dad and I drove in from Missouri (in the Ride, of course), and Al came in from Colorado. We had a great, albeit short time.

Texas Vacation Wrap-up

The Texas Vacation of 2006 has come to an end. A week in Corpus Christi, and my brother and I are both still alive. Now that is an accomplishment!

Having lived in Florida for eight years, I've always been biased toward that state. But, Corpus Christi is a great place, and I would definitely vacation there again.

Texas State Aquarium

While my brother was deep sea fishing, I was encountering aquatic life in a much different way at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. I enjoyed the experience very much, and you can experience some of that by visiting the aquarium's web site. The link can be found in the Landmarks I've Visited section.

Entrance sign.

Interesting fish in the upper left.

Some type of eel or sea snake. I vote for eel.

I liked the lighting in this photo.

This aquarium features many animals in addition to the underwater inhabitants.

A seahorse. I've always like seahorses, probably because one was featured prominently in a cartoon when I was a kid.

Amphitheatre where dolphins perform.

Dolphin performances can also be viewed from under the surface.

More dolphins.

The lighting in this tank makes the jellyfish glow.

I think these are so cool, I had to include two.