No Blog In a Month?…..What Have I Been Doing…

January 5, 2016January 7, 2016w2bergen Leave a comment

“MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Where has the time gone. My last blog was Nov. 22, the anniversary of President Kennedys assassination. We have been so busy at Eastgate. So much to catch up on. Soooo……….Lets get started. I do think it will take several blogs…lol…

We have been so busy, and the weather has been great, up until last week. The temps have been from the 70s to the 90s. Plenty of sunshine. Rich is busy everyday. He plays pool in the mornings and then begins his day. Always plenty of repairs. Eastgate has more workampers this year, so the work is getting done at a faster rate, but theirs always things breaking and many things to replace. Always water breaks….When the park has a leak that requires the water to be shut off, Victor, the maintenance man rides the golf cart around, blowing the siren. That means the water will be shut off in 15 minutes……lol…Guess what, that even broke….lol…someone had to ride around in the golf cart shouting……”Water Shut Off”…..Water Shut Off”….Funny…I guess you had to be their to hear it…..Now we have a New Siren too….

The Craft classes have been very busy. We have made Sparkleballs from Christmas lights and Solo cups. They have been so popular, that we keep making them over and over. We will be making some more after the rest of the people come for the winter.

If your interested in making them the web site is, sparkleball.com.

SOME OF OUR CUTE SNOWMEN, ALL BUNDLED FOR WINTER

We also have made log snowmen. We bought 7′ posts and cut them into 1′ sections. painted them and dressed them with hats and scarfs. They turned out so awesome. Everyone had different ideas on how to paint faces and dress them with the hats and scarfs.

OUR SPINDLE SNOWMEN IN PROGRESS. WE PAINTED HIS HAT BLACK, GAVE HIM A FACE AND BUTTONS AND A LITTLE SCARF FOR HIS NECK

The 3rd item we made, was snowmen from railing spindles. I had over 20 the garage for years that came used from an auction. I seen a picture on Pinterest that would be easy to do. We cut them to length, and added the hat to the top and painted them. A hole was drilled in the bottom and rebar was inserted.

OUR MAGNIFICENT COOKS, RICH, CAROL AND LARRY, SUZI AND BOB ……I CUT UP THE ONIONS….LOL….

Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone. For Thanksgiving, we cooked 7 Turkeys, dressing and gravy. The rest was supplied by the residents. Each table has a card table at the end. Each table holds 8 people. They bring a dish to pass for their table only. It is put on the card table. One person from each table goes up to the kitchen counter and receives a plate of turkey, dressing and gravy. That is also put on their card table. Each table therefore acts as the family unit, as they pass their food from the card table. It saves time, and everyone can almost eat at the same time. If it was served as potluck fashion, many of the best dishes would be empty before everyone was served. It has worked out so well.

OUR CHRISTMAS COOKS…LARRY, RICH, CAROL…AND THE YUMMY SPIRAL HAM……X 7

For Christmas, we served Ham and glaze. 7 hams were purchased and almost nothing left. We had 15 tables for Christmas. The table decorating contest was a Great success.

THE WINNING TABLE DECORATING CONTEST…..NOTICE THE CRAYONS AND THE COLORING TABLE CLOTH….VERY ORIGINAL…AND THEY CALL THEMSELVES SENIORS?

……..THE CRAZY, JUVENILE WINNERS…..

Our neighbors, decorated their table in a very pretty, entertaining, and JUVENILE manner…..lol…They had a kids coloring table cloth with crayons and all. They colored through dinner and guys wore silly hats. They won a bottle of wine…as if they needed it. They are a riot whether you see them around the park, or at the dinner table…..

BARB….WINNER OF THE UGLY SWEATER CONTEST…..A HOMEMADE BADGE FROM EASTGATE WITH “UGLY SWEATER WINNER 2015” AND RIBBON

ED MONG…RECITING NITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

JAN MONG RECITING A CUTE CHRISTMAS POEM

The hall was decorated so festive. Many of the residents got together one Friday morning and got out all the decorations and the tree. We turned on Christmas music and turned it up and away we all went. It was so much fun to be a part of it and watch them enjoy the Christmas Spirit in the Air.

Another craft project we did for both halls, was to make paper snowflakes. I seen it on Pinterest, and made one. It was so easy. That after noon we made many more. I takes 30 sheets of computer paper. 5 sheets for each point. The reasoning is to make it thick enough to hang and not rip. They ended up well over 12″ in diameter.

I have also scheduled some activity’s that we have done. We have had several Segway tours of downtown Harlingen.

Their is so much history in this town and the art work of hand painted murals are all over town, depicting to history. One of the most magnificent pieces is in a park.

A special area has been constructed for it. It is a collection of 905 mosaic tiles that tell the history of Mexico. It is stunning and beautiful.

HOME OF BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS…ERA 1950S

One of my favorites…This mural covers almost a half block area on a wooden fence. If was painted black and then painted with dots….Its magnificent.. The artists are Benjamin P. Varelo, and Celeste De Luna. During the Segway tours, we visited these murals, and many others and are given the history of the town. It also takes us to Grimsells which I have written about before. It a fabulous garden Center that is over 100 years old, situated almost in the middle of down town.

They have the tallest flag pole in town, so if your looking for its location, just look up over the buildings and look for the waving flag of the United States of America, and you can make your way to Grimsells. This last time we were their, they had their larger birds out.

So so cool.

About a week ago, 16 people from the park, carpooled downtown for the 1 1/2 walking tour. It was a fun time. We had 2 guides that walked us through the downtown area using a megaphone to tell us the story. After we had lunch at a local Café. We learned a lot more history as well as we found many more cool stores and boutiques to shop at. One never gets tired of shopping do they? lol…..These are just a few of the things we have been doing……

Next blog….Guess who came down for Christmas….The 2 older Grandkids….Cameron and Cassidy…..

52 Years Ago President Kennedy was Assasinated

November 23, 2015w2bergen 1 Comment

John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States (1961-1963), the youngest man elected to the office. On November 22, 1963, when he was hardly past his first thousand days in office, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, becoming also the youngest President to die. Do you remember that day? “I do”

I was in 8th grade that year. Mr. Whitler was my teacher. He was also the principal of our little school. We only had around 18 in our class. It was right after dinner and we were back in our seats. The bell had already rung. I can see it vividly at Mrs. Flaminio, the 7th grade teacher came running in to class almost crying. She was a short older grandma looking lady with almost white hair cut short and permed. She wore those metal rimmed glasses all the old people wore. She was heavy set and wore those dresses that had a waist with the gathered shirt part. We could tell she was very upset, as every part of her full body was jiggling as she ran in our classroom. She told Mr. Whitler what that the President had just been shot. What happened after that, I don’t remember, but I know I watched tv all week end. We had a portable black and white tv. I don’t know if their was color tv yet at that time, but I thought we were lucky to even have tv. He was assassinated on a Friday, so we were off for the weekend. I don’t think I really understood what had happened, but I was drawn all weekend to the tv.

First lady Jacqueline Kennedy rarely accompanied her husband on political outings, but she was beside him, along with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, for a 10-mile motorcade through the streets of downtown Dallas on November 22. Sitting in a Lincoln convertible, the Kennedys and Connallys waved at the large and enthusiastic crowds gathered along the parade route. As their vehicle passed the Texas School Book Depository Building at 12:30 p.m., Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired three shots from the sixth floor, fatally wounding President Kennedy and seriously injuring Governor Connally. Kennedy was pronounced dead 30 minutes later at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital. He was 46.

I remember, they played that video over and over. On Sunday, right after we returned home from church, I was watching, and I seen Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald.

I remember all the reporters were in the parking garage, waiting for him to come out and be transferred. They thought he would be safe their. Jack Ruby was in the crowd waiting for him and shot him almost point blank.

The coverage on the tv was non stop. Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as President on the plane returning to Washington DC. Finally the funeral plans were begun. The whole country was in a state of shock.

The state funeral of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, took place in Washington, D.C. during the three days that followed his assassination on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.^[1]

John F. Kennedy’s funeral in Washington D.C. November, 25 1963

The body of President Kennedy was brought back to Washington and placed in the East Room of the White House for 24 hours.

On Sunday afternoon about 300,000 people watched a horse-drawn caisson, which had borne the body of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Unknown Soldier, carry Kennedy’s flag-covered casket down the White House drive, past parallel rows of soldiers bearing the flags of the 50 states of the Union, then along Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol Rotunda to lie in state.^[53] The only sounds on Pennsylvania Avenue as the cortège made its way to the Capitol were the sounds of the muffled drums and the clacking of horses’ hooves, including the riderless (caparisoned) horse Black Jack.^[54]

The widow, holding her two children by the hand, led the public mourning for the country.^[55]^[56] In the rotunda, Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter Caroline knelt beside the casket, which rested on the Lincoln catafalque.^[57] Three-year-old John Jr. was briefly taken out of the rotunda so as not to disrupt the service.^[56] Mrs. Kennedy maintained her composure as her husband was taken to the Capitol to lie in state, as well as during the memorial service.^[56]

Throughout the day and night, hundreds of thousands lined up to view the guarded casket. Representatives from over 90 countries attended the state funeral on Monday, November 25, The casket was placed on the caisson for the final leg to Arlington National Cemetery for burial.

Moments after the casket was carried down the front steps of the cathedral, Jacqueline Kennedy whispered to her son John, after which he saluted his fathers coffin. This image taken by photographer Stan Stearns, became the iconic representation of the 1960’s. The children were considered to young to attend the burial services, so this was the time they said good bye to their father. After the Requiem Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the late president was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy as it goes into Arlington Cemetary in Washington.

At the end of the burial Ceremony , Jacqueline Kennedy lit the eternal flame, that still burns continuously over the grave site.

Jacqueline Bouvier married John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in Rhode Island on September 12, 1953.

They had 2 children, Caroline, born November 27, 1957, and John Jr. Born November 25, 1960. John Jr, died in a plane crash in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard on July 16, 1999. The crash was ruled, pilot error, due to disorientation. He was piloting a Piper Saratoga, with his wife and sister in law on board. All perished. Another son died after birth. Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born on August 7 1963, 5 and 1/2 months premature. He only lived 39 hours. Another daughter was still born on August 23, 1956.

Caroline and John Jr. would play many times in the Oval office. This picture was made famous of John playing under the Resolute Desk, as his father was working. John called the panel his secret door.

As I was going through papers on History, I came across this information

Lincoln and Kennedy …..Odd Parallels

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846

John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946

Abraham Lincoln was elected President on 1860

John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960

The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights

Both wives lost their children while living in the White House

Both presidents were shot on a Friday

Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy.

Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners

Both successors were named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.

Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.

Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939

Both assassins were known by their three names.

Both names are composed of 15 letters.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named “Kennedy”

Kennedy was shot in a car called a “Lincoln”

Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a ware house.

Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials

And her’s the kicker……..

A week before Lincoln was shot; he was in Monroe, Maryland

A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

President John F. Kennedy….Inaugural Speech, January 20 1961

Iwa Jima Monument…Original in Harlingen

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015w2bergen 3 Comments

Last week The United States commemorated Veterans Day on Nov 11. We decided here at Eastgate to hold our first ever Veterans Day Breakfast on Sat. Nov. 14th. Here in Harlingen, out by the airport and the Marine Military Academy, is the Iwa Jima Monument. I decided to check it out.

I had known it was their, but was sure not knowledgeable to what it really was or represented. My good friend Roberta and I took off and went exploring.

We stopped at the Visitor Center first. I had pulled up the web site before we left, and just as it said:

Their was the Calico Kitty to greet us at the door….She was just lazily laying in the bushes and came out to greet us. The Visitors Center is a quaint little building. The walk is edged with bricks that commemorate different family’s and soldiers. The door has 2 of the most interesting trees beside it that had obviously been their forever.

By the door was the sign stating the hours of the Visitor Center, and the Statement letting you know that the monument was being maintained entirely by donations. Then we went in. I was unprepared for the wealth of information and knowledge that I would find inside. The first impression, was small rooms cram packed with items. The first room was of course the gift shop, full of military themed souvenirs, flags, coffee cups, books, t-shirts etc. Their were several other rooms to the left full of artifacts. Towards the rear was a door open and I found out they were getting ready to show a 32 minute slide show. I went in and sat down and the show began. I had no idea really, what Iwa Jima was really about. My father and grandfather had served in the Military, but I really had no recent ties with any family members. I learned so much.

Iwa Jima was an island 600 miles from Japan and was only 8.1 square miles. It was inhabited by the Japanese Imperial Navy. It was a fairly flat island with a volcanic mountain at one end, Mount Suribachi. It contained 3 airfields. As our planes would fly to their bombing missions, they would be attacked by the Japanese. The United States decided to take the island as it would stop the planes from being attacked as well as a good place for refueling and staging, also for planes that had been damaged in Japanese bombing missions. The United States then attacked by bombing the island and destroying the landing fields and all the military bases and weapons. On the morning of Feb, 19 1945, the 28 Regiment, 5 Division, landed and was ordered to capture Mount Suribachi. They reached the base of the mountain on the afternoon of Feb. 21, and by nightfall the next day, had almost completely surrounded it. On the morning of Feb. 23, Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, started the tortuous climb on the rough terrain to the top. At about 10:30 a.m., men from all over the island were thrilled at the sight of a small American flag flying from atop Mount Suribachi.

That afternoon, when the slopes were clear of enemy resistance, a second larger flag was raised by five Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman:
– Sgt Michael Strank, USMC;
– Cpl Harlon H. Block, USMC;
– PFC Franklin R. Sousley, USMC;
– PFC Rene A. Gagnon, USMC;
– PFC Ira Hayes, USMC; and
– PhM 2/c John H. Bradley.

Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal caught the afternoon flag raising in an inspiring Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph. Little did they know that the 3 day battle would continue for 5 weeks. This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II.

The Japanese Army had built over 11 miles of underground tunnel system 4 stories down. They had installed bunkers, and pill box areas, that opened up to the surface to man hidden artillery, mortars and rockets. As the Americans would use flamethrowers and grenades to clear the bunkers, the bunkers would be reoccupied by more Japanese as they moved through the underground tunnel system. According to the official Navy Department Library website, “The 36-day (Iwo Jima) assault resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. Of between 20,530 and 21,060 Japanese defenders entrenched on the island, from 17,845 to 18,375 died either from fighting or by ritual suicide. Only 216 were captured during the course of battle. After Iwo Jima, it was estimated there were no more than 300 Japanese left alive in the island’s caves and tunnels. In fact, there were close to 3,000. Those who could not bring themselves to commit suicide hid in the caves during the day and came out at night to prowl for provisions. Some did eventually surrender and were surprised that the Americans often received them with compassion, offering water, cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee.^[35] The last of these holdouts on the island, were just 2 Japanese solders who lasted 4 years without being caught and finally surrendered on 6 January 1949.^[36]^[37]

When the picture of the flag raising was later released, sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, was so moved by the scene that he constructed a scale model within 48 hours. He labored for 9.5 years to prepare a working, full sized model from molding plaster. Once the statue was completed in plaster, it was carefully disassembled and trucked to Brooklyn, N.Y., for casting in bronze.

After the three-year casting process, the bronze parts were trucked to Washington, D.C., for erection at Arlington National Cemetery. The plaster working model was moved to Dr. de Weldon’s summer home and studio in Newport, R.I., for storage.

Look at the size of those crated shoes compared to the man

The Building of the Memorial

In October 1981, Dr. de Weldon gifted his original, full sized working clay model to Marine Military Academy in Harlingen Texas, as an inspiration to our young cadets. Other major factors involved in his site selection included:

The fairly constant temperature and humidity in Harlingen were ideal for the preservation of the molding-plaster figures.
The street facing the memorial was appropriately named Iwo Jima Boulevard by MMA’s founders in 1965.
MMA is the only place outside of Washington, D.C., where proper honors are rendered with battalion-size dress blue parades.
The Marine placing the flagpole into the ground was a South Texas native, Cpl Harlon H. Block of Weslaco, Texas. Block’s gravesite resides directly behind the monument.

The Iwo Jima Monument was dedicated April 16, 1982 on the MMA Parade Ground.The 32-foot high figures are erecting a 78-foot steel flagpole from which a cloth flag flies 24 hours a day. They occupy the same positions as in Rosenthal’s historic photograph. Hayes is the figure farthest from the flagstaff; Sousley is to the right front of Hayes; Strank is on Sousley’s left; Bradley is in front of Sousley; Gagnon is in front of Strank; and CPl Harlon Block of Weslaco, is closest to the bottom of the flagstaff.

CPL. Harlon Block was killed in action about a week after the photo was taken. He would never know what his actions would mean to America some day. He died when he was just 21 years old. He was buried on Iwa Jima, and later after the war was over he was returned to his family in 1949, and buried in Weslaco. In 1995, his body was moved to a burial place at the Marine Military Academy near its Iwo Jima monument. For many of you who don’t know, Weslaco is but a few miles west of Harlingen. Cpl. Block still has many family members in the area.

This is a bicycle hanging on the wall in the museum. So many more artifacts, guns, ammo and pictures are on display. Finally Roberta and I went across the street to walk around the Monument. It was massive when you walked up close. The area is such a well groomed park.

In between the monument and the road is a large grassy area used for Military Parades in Formation. By the road is several large sections of stadium seats.

As you walk up close to the monument, I could see how well it is taken care of and preserved. I was immaculate. Clean and Fresh. They have to continually care for the monument as it is the original clay monument.

Their is such detail to the sculpture. As you walk around the back side of the monument, you’ll see a walking area with many trees.

Right in the middle is the grave of CPL. Harlon H. Block USMC. A Beautiful wreath has been placed at his grave site.

Behind his grave is small brick patio area with a fire pit in the center. Benches surround the pit. This is the Flag Retirement Facility….

Such a beautiful area to Retire a Flag with Honor….

This is the view looking north….The Fire pit, CPL. Blocks Grave, and the Monument………Beautiful…..Many of the bricks through all the walkways have been engraved with names of Veterans….

This was the end of a Wonderful and Inspiring Day. This was a pamphlet we picked up. Every year, they Celebrate Cpl. Blocks Birthday. He would have been 91 this year. They also hold the Veterans Day Parade. Next year I hope to see it……As the Generations grow, I think we forget and never understand what our Veterans of all the wars went through. This are things that we must keep the future generations educated about. War is different these days. Our generations don’t understand or know some of the fierce devastating battles our fore fathers experienced.

Please support Our Veterans and All Our Military….If Not for Them, We Would NOT Have The Freedoms We Have Today

On Saturday we honored Our Veterans in the Park. After our breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, I gave a short speech on the Iwa Jima Monument, and CPL. Block. I called them 1 by 1.

After each name, I also called their branch of service. They got up to go to the stage with a giant hand of applause. Each one was given a huge hand of applause…..So heart warming. You could just feel the emotion, unity, respect and appreciation fill the room. We took pictures and then had a drawing for the Vets only.

One of the park residents Steve, had made 7 blankets and 1 pillow with Military themes. Each Veteran was given a ticket. After the drawing, a resident suggested we sing………. God Bless America…..What a Special Emotional Moment….Many left with Tears in their Eyes…

God Bless America….Home of the Free & The Brave

Great Time on a Segway and Seen a Terrific Raptor Show

November 15, 2015November 15, 2015w2bergen 3 Comments

Were been back at Eastgate now almost a month already. The weather has been so nice and warm. 80s’ and 90s’. We’ve had some rain though. We have been very lucky in Harlingen, as their has been much more rain to the east and west of us. Many of the drainage ditches have overflown and homes have been flooded. So far the new position is going well. My official name is Event Coordinator. I have been checking out some great things to do. Sunday we are car pooling to the Local Theater to see a play of “Steel Magnolias”……Last Wed, I went on a Segway Tour of Harlingen.

I have always wanted to do it. We were at Don Wes Flea Market, last year, when the were advertising, and they let me stand on one. It is balanced by a Gyro inside. It stands on its own. It is really easy to do. This company has tours through out the Rio Grande Valley including South Padre Island. I had attended a convention for Activity Directors and was able to sign up for this tour, so we could take our experience back to our Parks and book tours with a fabulous discount.

Check out our helmets…..lol….

Our guide, Rachael, gave us some great instructions and was very patient with training us. She also had an assistant, John with her. He was awesome also. He always followed us to make sure we were all safe. After about a half hour of instructions and training we took off for the 1 1/2 hour ride through historical down town, focusing on the many murals.

I didn’t take to many photos of the murals as I was a little nervous to take my hands off the handles. Sure didn’t want to fall off and make an A***** of my myself……lol….Our first stop was a fabulous garden center, Grimsell’s Garden Center.

It was so pretty, It had beautiful patios, and gardens.

I heard some birds tweeting, I sounded so pretty, so as I walked through, I came upon a garden with a cage of parakeets…..They were so happy enjoying the gentle breeze and singing happily.

Their cage was on a set of wheel barrow wheels. That way they can wheel them in at nite and bad weather. They are well taken care of and obviously so happy.

I continued on enjoying all the beautiful plants on display, and for sale. Such a beautiful, soothing and relaxing atmosphere in the middle of town. PARADICE

Next, back on the Segway’s for another mural. This building is all the windows and downs painted. Its is different and a departure from the other murals. An artist actually has a shop their.

On we go to Harlingen Lake. It was huge, right in the middle of town. I hadn’t seen it before. It has awesome walking trail around the lake with many grassy areas. We rode the walkways halfway around, and then got off to rest. We had the opportunity to either rest or go play on the grassy hills nearby. It was time to rest my feet as I think you stress your muscles at first.

Several of us just sat and relaxed, enjoying the beautiful breeze from the lake. This is a picture of Rachel (Owner) and John. We had them pose for it. Nice advertisement….lol…I want to give them all the plugs I can…lol….

Onward to the Library. They had a beautiful Plaza area. The emphasis was obviously on books….The gorgeous arch, was structured with books.

Some had rather comical names. One of them, as you would be standing under the arch staring up was named….”Looking Up”…..lol

This was a cool statue of Thomas Edison.

Time to get back on…

.Rachael and John were always their to help us get on. So patient

One of our last murals was down town. The Lady from the Visitor Center welcomed us and took our picture. Finally it was over and back to the parking lot. It was a blast. The next day I called Rachael and have scheduled 2 tours for our park, one for this Wed. and another in Dec. I hope they have as much fun as I did.

We also had a Birding Convention in town. The RGV is a huge birding area. So many kinds, as we are on the main migratory areas. They held Bird walks all over during the week, even going over 50 miles away. For the weekend they had a great show at the convention center. I went with my Good friend Roberta, who is a permanent resident of the park. She has 2 birds…..”Maui” a beautiful Macaw, and “Love Love” a cockatiel that has broken hips.

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They are awesome birds. Roberta found many books and contacts on birds. They offered many trips all over the world, even New Zealand for Birding. People come from all over the world for these Birding conventions. But my favorite was the Raptor Project.

The Raptor Projects is an extraordinary and outstanding array of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls that have won the rapt attention of enthralled audiences throughout the nation. Presenting almost 1000 educational programs to over 10 million people annually, The Raptor Project leads the way in outstanding, top quality, professional wildlife education. Featuring 15-20 raptors from diverse habitats at each presentation, these dynamic fierce predators capture hearts of both young and old.

Jonathon asked a little girl to feed meat to the eagle. She wasn’t even afraid

The Raptor Project founders, Jonathan and Susan Wood of New York’s Catskill mountains have assembled a traveling collection of feathered predators that is unrivaled in scope and size anywhere in the world. Jonathan Wood is a Master Falconer and Wildlife Rehabilitation, bringing unique insights, observations and humor to his exciting, riveting, nationally acclaimed shows.

This Owl was so beautiful. At first he looked stuffed…lol…but He was real

Many of the birds in The Raptor Project have
permanent handicaps and have been donated to his project by crowded wildlife centers around the country because they were unable to be re-introduced to the wild. Some faced euthanization and now have been tamed and trained to educate the public as charming ambassadors of their species and the environments they inhabit. Jonathan and Susan Wood and their staff operate the organization from a beautiful 14 acre, private facility in New York’s Catskill mountains. All birds are housed, exercised and cared for in spacious, state of the art aviaries.

Jonathan Wood works with birds in a wide rage of sizes. From small falcons and owls weight 3-4 ounces to majestic eagles with 6-8 foot wingspans. He is honored with 35 years of handling experience and has produced and presented The Raptor Project to over 10 million people… up close and personal!

These birds were so awesome to see in person and close up.

It has been a fast month already. Time is flying by and its all most Thanksgiving. We are doing our final plans on that now. Thanksgiving menu will consist of 7 Turkeys, 2 roasters of Dressing and 1 roaster of Gravy. Were on the cooking committee, Well rather Rich is, I will be doing other stuff. Sure isn’t my forte…..lol….Till next time, which I have a Great Article on Veterans Day to write next, I will leave you a picture of Kitty in the shower…..He loves to drink the water…..lol

Gate 15 Officially Closed….Just In Time….

October 25, 2015w2bergen 1 Comment

Last Wed. was our last day at the gate. On Tue morning Rich went in, and we had hopes it would be the last, but no. Now the maintainer (road grader) broke down. The had brought in several loads of rock to spread around the valve area and the ranchers gate. The maintainer broke down in the middle of the ranchers gate. They managed to back it up behind the gate to lock it. The operator waited all afternoon for the mechanic to come, but, no avail. Theirs always tomorrow. So Rich came home and told me Wed was my day to close. lol. So Wed morning I went to the gate at 6:30 as usual. The guys started coming in by 7 am. They finally all drove out around 7:30 to begin to dismantle my gate and replace it with a tall fence to match the existing fence.

They had to take off the 2 – 8, sections of aluminum swing gate and replace it with 8′ rolled fencing. Finally around 8 am. or so the mechanic came in and fixed the maintainer. They began to finish their spreading and grading of the gravel. Now they had around 7 guys to help with this gate. How hard is it?

After quite awhile they finally had it up, laced the new piece on to the existing poles. Then they had to put in the 2 metal poles…….Lets back up the truck, put the shortest guy up, standing on the top edge of the bed, and have him pound in the poles with the pounder….lol….The rest just stood around and watched…….AND THAT IS HOW THE WHOLE MORNING WENT……LOL….

My Gate ……….2 8′ swing aluminum sections…..

Finally at 1:05 Pm. The gate was FINALLY OFFICIALLY CLOSED…….

My Gate after closing………took almost 6 hrs. and 7 men……lol….and this is what they were doing as I left………….sitting…..nothing…..lol..

This has been quit and experience for us. Will we do it again? OF COURSE….next spring we plan on being available in April. It has definitely been challenging at times. Learning how to sleep at the 24 hour gate, learning how to handle 100 degree heat, the attack of the crickets in Carrizo Springs….and now we are infested with ants in the RV, because of where we were staying in our FREE spot. It was good as it was free, with all hook-ups, but it was not mowed. Basically it was the back of a service yard that was tall dead critter infested weeds, with tires etc. stuff people had thrown out and was never cleaned up. The ground was all rutted with tire marks. When it rains, the soil turns to a horrible mud. So glad we got out when we did as the remnants of Hurricane Patricia are now upon us. We left Wed. afternoon late, and stopped at Walmart and bought 2 back tires for the pickup and Thur. we arrived at East Gate in Harlingen. ……OH HAPPY DAYS..…Glad to be back…..Of course it started raining, we left last spring in the rain, so I guess it should rain when we arrive. lol. Now the last 2 days it has been pouring because of Hurricane Patricia. We only got around 2-3″ yesterday, but up north, parts of Texas including where we were, are getting 10″ – 12″ or more. It is so good to be back, just like coming home. Everyone is so glad to see you and we are to see them……. Familiar Faces……Friends……Already went and played pool with the girls yesterday, and Rich is playing with the guys this morning…….OLD TIMES……Rain doesn’t stop anyone here. One good thing that I love, which most people hate………..were back with the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles……lol…In the desert it was total silence…..Nothing….but here we are only a mile from the airport and on the flight path. I have always loved watching the planes in the air. At home in Illinois we are around 90 miles from Chicago, but on the flight path for O’Hare and Midway. The planes are already descending. Sometimes you can tell the color as to who the airlines is. Right behind the park there is a train track. Many times a freight train comes through. We are also on the main drag in town and less than a half a block from the main road to turn to the airport. So in the evening, you hear the sirens of the police and ambulance. But here in the park we are secluded in our own little world…….Love It…..

But the silence of the desert is a good thing also. We would spend around 12 hours everyday for 6 weeks, just sitting. Many times we spent hours before someone would come or go to sign. So we would sit their and become in tune with the area. What we thought was a horrible desert with nothing but cactus, mesquite trees and nothing, became a beautiful area full of nature. I have wrote about the turkeys, the Mexican ground squirrels, the quail, deer, but not the Road Runners.

Now we seen many of them. They are so cool to watch. They are not as personable as the ground squirrels, but they are not afraid of us either. They would run with their head forward and I would say, “Hey Mr. Road Runner”. They stop and look around, and then continue their mission. Always looking up the road and around for a bug or food item. As they run, they hold their lean frames nearly parallel to the ground and rudder with their long tails. Roadrunners eat poisonous prey, including venomous lizards and scorpions, with no ill effect, although they’re careful to swallow horned lizards head-first with the horns pointed away from vital organs. Roadrunners can also kill and eat rattlesnakes, often in tandem with another roadrunner: as one distracts the snake by jumping and flapping, the other sneaks up and pins its head, then bashes the snake against a rock. If it’s is too long to swallow all at once, a roadrunner will walk around with a length of snake still protruding from its bill, swallowing it a little at a time as the snake digests. Did you know they can our run a Human?

Roadrunners reach two feet from sturdy bill to white tail tip, with a bushy blue-black crest and mottled plumage that blends well with dusty shrubs. They are really a beautiful bird.

The first weeks we were their, they would be climbing on our truck. They would hop on the hood and peck at the window. He would also try pecking at the windshield wipers. Then he would hop to the back of the truck and peck at the back window. We had the windows down all the time, and thought he might hop inside. He would hop on the outside mirror and then in the window but never inside. He would do it over and over. Quite an interesting bird, but always with a goal in mind……running…..stop…..look…….run again…..

Another animal that is prevalent here is the Javelina…pronounced with an H…..We seen several of them dead on the road from being hit. I only seen them once. I was going to the gate on the gravel road, and came over a rise and right in front of me was a small herd of them. I don’t think they are too smart as they didn’t seem to know what to do. I had thought about it, I would have been able to take their picture. They are a medium sized animal that resemble a pig. Its eyes are too small for its head. They are a social animal and run in herds. They are 2′ – 4′ in length and are 20lb – 40lbs.

As we sat their everyday, I began to realize, the oil and gas company’s that come in and dig up the land, really don’t do that much harm. Yes they do destroy some of the habitats, but they strive to put it back as is was. After an area is done, the rancher has contracted what he wants done with the land. It is seeded with native grasses, and it then becomes a great grazing area for the cattle. The ranchers that have deer, set up their feeders in the clearing. Then it is a great spot for there blinds for hunting season. All the little animals and birds adapt during the construction process. Have you ever just sat outside in the woods are fields, or even in your back yards? Do it sometimes……Listen to the sounds of nature……..As we sat their, I would close my eyes……

I would hear the birds overhead in the trees….even flocks of geese going south…..

I heard the turkeys in the brush about a block ahead of me……

then from behind, a little soft sound of peeps….the quail were coming out and going across the road. and the my little ground squirrels….

.Their high pitch chatter….to the left………then to the right in the cactus patch far away…..they were communicating…..I was sitting in their environment……This is their daily life…..Now the gate is closed…….We said Good bye to all the Ralphs…….lol…..

Our first Ralph was sitting by his hole the day before we left, just observing again……Now he can return to his life without humans…..lol….

………Life goes on in the desert……

Our Little Mexican Ground Squirrel Friends…..Ralphs

October 20, 2015October 20, 2015w2bergen 1 Comment

We have been Gate Guarding now for going on 9 weeks. The first 3 we were on the oil rig in Carrizo Springs and then we moved here to the gas pipeline in Tilden. We are Gate 15, one of the last 3 gates to be open of 25. Our gate holds the valves at the half way point of the 30 miles it runs. They are now finishing it up. They were suppose to have had it all done by the 1st. Well that didn’t happen. Every time we think it might be our last day, something changes. The company gave the contractor a deadline of next Wed. The inspector came in and said they needed to pour another concrete pillar to hold up the valves. They only put in 2 and they need 3. Soooooooo, that means they built the new forms on Sat. No concrete delivery on Sunday I guess, but we guarded anyway. Concrete poured yesterday, Monday, and they also put up the fence around the valves.

(Did you know, here in Texas, the concrete trucks mix on site. The trucks have a separate water tank and then the sand gravel mixture. Interesting fact ya think?)

This is a 24″ gas pipe line….I believe it’s larger than the norm. They wanted quantity.

So now today is Tue. All they have to do is take off the forms and backfill. Bring in gravel for the base, clean up the extra stuff and then replace our gate with permanent fencing. Do you think they can get that done in 12 hours…….NO……….

Fencing finished around the valves. These valves are the midway point between 30 miles of pipeline. Still need the forms taken off the 3rd pillar. Our gate is about 100 feet from here.

.Rich called and said everything is done but the new fencing replacing our gate. That will happen tomorrow……….So looks like I will have to make another trip out……Bummer. Nothing like them being slackers…..But it does guarantee me 8 hours pay….lol

So now to my favorite subject this blog………..OUR NEW FRIENDS….RALPH and his buddies….

We first started here, you might remember, this little guy would go up to Rich’s shoes and chew on them. He came every day. I researched on him and found him to be a Mexican Ground Squirrel, native to Southern Texas and Mexico. He has 9 stripes of irregular rectangular dots down his back. An adult can reach 15″ from his head to the tip of their tail. They live in burrows in the ground and have several different openings. They eat grains, nuts berries, bugs and even road kill. They do like meat. So I put out some wheat bread.

Wow, instantly tamed. They loved it. So they started coming over to my side. Rich named the one Ralph. Ralph grew as we feed him….As you see his belly is really filled out. In the sun his fur is shinny. He became a pest.

Next we tried left over corn. I think he could smell it from the distance. He came right over. I put it on the chair and he knew it.

He climbed right up. Several times he even tried to climb my legs. Scared me…….lol….One day Rich was taking a nap, he woke up and Ralph was on his lap…………….hahah……..They also eat and store it in their cheeks and go back to their burrow and store their food. We knew right where Ralph lived. He lived at near the edge of the road where the rancher pulls into his gate. Not a very good place.

He gets up in the morning when the sun gets hot. He sits by his hole for 5 to 10 minutes in his erect stance and watches everything around him. If the guys were working in his view, he would watch them for awhile. After awhile more showed up. One came from my side in the cactus area. Rich named him George at first. He would cross under the gate and come and take food. Then he would run back to the gate and eat it.

So cute. Some times they would hide behind the gate and stare at us…..

I would say, “Hey Little Buddy, I can see you” Then he would come running for food. They are so darn cute. When they run, their tails fly up in the air and they are so fast. I think the tail is used as a rudder also for many things…When they sit. the tail is straight out most of the times. When they run it is flung over their back towards the front. It helps with their gravity points. Many times they will run just a foot or so, the tail is flung over their back, and then they stop suddenly and the tail fly’s to the ground.

One day Rich was eating his cantaloupe and he decided to cut the rind up in pieces. We took a baggie and WOW, they loved it. They also love Watermelon rind. They eat it like humans, the eat the meat of it and leave the skin….lol…It think this is the way they must get their water. They live in a dry arid area, and the only way they can probably find their water is from the cactus plants. Their is plenty of them.

Now I also set out water for them every day. I use a bottle top and put ice in it to melt. We have attracted more of the little guys. At first, there was just one over by Rich, we named him Ralph. Then several more showed up. One over by me in the cactus area beyond the fence, George. Then by Rich at the other end of his gate was a sand mound with a number of holes. Another one came from their. Now the sad thing is, we used to know who Ralph was. Now we’ve fed them so much, they are all beginning to look alike………Chubby…..lol……Now were up to at least 3 Ralphies…..lol….and 1 new little guy………………….BUT………They are NOT SOCIAL among them selves…..

They live alone and don’t like others around. Their tail is small until they get upset. Then it fluffs out and they play tag. At least that’s what it looks like. They chase each other in circles and off into the cactus. Then one comes back….then the other one, and it starts again. Even though the history I read says, that they aren’t social, I sometimes got the feeling they were playing. I could be my imagination though. They also make several sounds. When they are spreading their tail, ready for attack, they make a teeth chatter sound. Some times, when they sit and another one is near it is a low pitch vocal chatter. The one I love to hear is the one when they are projecting to a distance.

They stand up erect and their mouth is fully open. They project a high pitch shrill chatter, almost like a bird sound. I think it is a sign of claiming territory. They have been so much fun. What else do you do for 12 hours in the Texas desert….lol….

They also love peaches, and one day I gave Ralph my empty yogurt cup. He loved it and carried the cup away to his hole. He put it over the top. lol. maybe his sun shade?. But finally the wind took it away, so I picked it up and put it in the trash.

Here’s 2 more cute pictures, and these are the original Ralph, I caught him eating my shoe. These little guys are so cute to watch. They are so smart, and have an awesome lifestyle to watch. No matter what happens here with the pipeline, they have adapted and stayed out of the way. But they watch everything. Its amazing to me, you think your the only one out here for miles sometimes, but you have no idea the eyes that are upon you from the bushes. lol. Could give you the creeps couldn’t it……lol…..Now as our days are starting to get chillier in the mornings….lol….65-70…..I notice they aren’t getting up as early. They wait for the sun to shine and heat up their burrows. They are suppose to hibernate very soon, but some say the southern Texas ones may not. I bet it depends on the heat of the winter. I was going to write about the Road Runners also, but I will leave that for next time. They are awesome also.

Nature in Southern Texas is Beautiful……

Still at the Gate….and Hill Top Cemetery

October 14, 2015w2bergen 2 Comments

Chris came the other morning and finally brought our License. We are now Level 2 Private Security Agents registered and certified by the state of Texas…..Rather impressive I think….lol…We can now get jobs at any Company in Texas that is looking for Security. It is really quite a business down here. The fingerprinting stations rotate in different towns through out the state. Their were at least 6 different towns just in our section of the state open when we were fingerprinted. They move around every week within that section, so no one has to drive very far.

We are still at our Gate 15. They don’t have much left to do, but they are spending most of their time at other gates, trying to get them closed. Out of 25 gates, only 3 are still open. We thought we would be done last weekend, then we were told this Friday. Now today we were told they might not be finished till next Wed. Hopefully we will be done by Sunday. Their not closing the gate this weekend, working through to get it done. They still have concrete work to do at the valve area and build a fence around the valves. So the days stretch on. Last Friday we had a bad rain storm and left early. When it rains in Texas on the back roads its not good. They had to grade the gravel road because of all the ruts. The weather has turned hot again, It was over 100 degrees, the last several days. So glad this is almost over.

I went to visit Hill Top Cemetery the other day. It was formed in the late 1800’s after Boot Hill Cemetery was closed. When Choke Canyon Reservoir was formed in the 1980’s, the remains of another Cemetery was relocated in the Hill Top Cemetery. I didn’t find as much history on it as I thought, but did find some interesting stones. You might think it rather strange that I seem to enjoy Cemetery’s, but many people do. Many stones tell a story of a person. How many children, what type of job in life, how old they were and sometimes how much they were loved by their family.

Here is one that I thought was special, as the wife had written this beautiful passage about her husband, for all to read. They must have shared an amazing Love.

Some were very sad. This plot was a father on the left Abel and his 2 little children, Mark 4 and Alicia 8 on the right. All three died on Oct 9 1994. One would assume it must have been an accident. The wife is still alive. They planted palm trees and bushes on either side. On the far left is another stone. I believe it was Abel’s mother.

This is the back of her stone. It is a family tree of her children and Abel’s name is on it also. This was a very beautiful setting, but so sad when you try to imagine their story.

I also found some simple stones, some cross’s. Homemade. The one on the left is simply wood. The one on the right was made with concrete with colored stones pressed in to decorate it. He passed in 1948.

Many of the plots are surrounded by rusted iron fences. It must have been the thing back then to surround the family with fence to keep intruders out.

This must have been an infant. Behind this plot across the road was another family plot.

It was surrounded entirely by a crumbling stone wall. Ironically, their was no gate or way to easily enter. The stone on the left was Mary, she died when she was 29 in 1889.

As I walked around you can see the grass was dead and brown. The heat has been 90-100. I seen many places that there are water spigots located through out the cemetery.

Some were actually being used. The family must spend lots of time coming out to take care of their family plots.

I seen only 2 mausoleums. This one was really old and crumbling. The headstone was on the top and at the other end must have been a ventilation pipe.

Here Lies Our

Beloved brother

Tommy Sotello

There was a lot of love and thought put into this one. I has a concrete base with wooden sides. Alphabet beads were used to write his name and a plate of glass was sealed over it.

Another one similar to the last. It is formed with concrete.

This lady was also very loved by her family. Her photo was their along with a coffee cup, and a ceramic grocery store. Flowers, a solar light, metal rose and an arbor completed the plot.

Here is a row of identical cross’s. Their wrapped in Christmas tinsel that has faded and grown old with time. It makes you wonder how long its been since the last family visitors’.

This one was really constructed with LOVE…..concrete blocks and wood posts….created a garden fence with flowers inserted. The flowers were all silk and also very pretty. They hadn’t been faded or wind beaten yet.

This plot was all by itself under a tree. It contained one headstone and had a single faded silk flower attached to the gate. ……Simple Beauty……It is a really beautiful Cemetery sitting on a hill top.

This is the view looking out over the country side. So tomorrow is another day. My turn at the gate. The temperature is coming down a bit.

“I think only 94…lol…”

A Quick Trip to Harlingen & “Boot Hill Cemetery”….

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015w2bergen 2 Comments

Last Friday was Richs’ day to go to the gate. They closed the gate at 3 pm. for the weekend for the hunters. We think they were trying to pacify the landowner because they were running past the Oct. 1st deadline. We don’t have to go back till Mon. Sat. morning, we got up and did a load of laundry and decided around 1 or 2 to go to Walmart for cat treats and litter. We decided to go to a town called George West. {weird name} We headed east out of Tilden and first came upon the Choke Canyon Reservoir which is run by the state. Well they wanted $5 a person just to enter. So much for that. On down the road to the next town. Its name is Three Rivers. From a distance we could see that it had a HUGE Oil Refinery in town. Looks like Star Wars Town Doesn’t it….lol…

As we pulled into town, you could see that the town was attached to the Refinery. The town was wrapped around the refinery on several sides. Obviously the town survived on the refinery jobs. Again several NEW motels in town and lots of campgrounds. As we drove from Tilden, we could see we were in the heart of oil country, but the boom was over. So many campgrounds, now deserted or just with a handful of campers. Several places were trailers all in a wagon circle or lines like little streets. They were similar to Fema trailers. They also were deserted or just a hand full of vehicles out in front. As you look in the distance across the land scape, you could see many oil tanks in the fields from wells that had been drilled. The highway is just busy with tankers carrying oil to the refinery.

On we went, with the next town being George West. It wasn’t what we expected. It didn’t look big enough to have a Walmart. We seen a sign that said McAllen 150 miles. I jokingly said. ” We should go have pizza at Mr. Gatti‘s.” Its a great pizza/salad bar in Harlingen. Why not? We had the weekend off. Three hours later we pulled into Eastgate Park in Harlingen. It felt like going home…..lol….We pulled in front of Debbie and Ricks house {managers}. They came out totally shocked, thinking we had come early. lol. “No, we were just on the way to Walmart”……lol…Had a nice visit with them and went down to visit more friends. Bev, Roberta, and Ken were just wrapping up a garage sale. We had a wonderful visit with Bev. Her husband Ernest had just passed away several weeks before. They were Workampers. Bev cleaned and Ernest was the I.T. man. He was so smart with computers. Last year, he had spent all season trying to get the new internet system to work with the outside company. He was not health, but a “Super Guy”. He will be so missed. Not only for the work he did, but as a friend. Then we ended up at Roberta and Kens. If you remember from last winter, Roberta has the Parrot and the little cockatiel. “Maui and Love Love”. Had a great visit with them and finally found a motel. Of course no clothes or makeup, so a stop at the Dollar Store to buy make up and Cat treats and litter. lol. The whole purpose of the trip. In the morning we were next door to the Golden Corral, so after breakfast we headed back up the road towards Tilden.

But it won’t be long………We’ll be Back………

Back in Three Rivers, we stopped at DQ. In pulled some really cool cars.

It was a Car Club from San Antonio, out for a cruise.

This one was really neat….

The engine area was painted bright purple and right inside on the nose, above the grill was this signature.

Beautiful cars……

We were back home before 3. Poor Kitty, he was deserted……Gave him lots of treats and he was “Happy” again…..Monday was my day at the gate and Today was Rich’s. Its getting slower and slower. I decided to walk to the store today. It is always closed when we get home. How silly. It was in the 90,s again. Lucky I didn’t die of heat exhaustion. The store was nothing to brag about. All I bought was a sack of Ginger Snaps, and a Drumstick ice cream. Had to eat it FAST…..

On the way I went to “BOOTHILL CEMETERY”……….

Located in Tilden is Boot Hill Cemetery, one of the only two authentic cemeteries of its kind in the southwest. It was so named because many of those who were interred there died violently, “with their boots on.” Many of the early graves were those of people who were killed in accidents, murdered, or who died of cholera during an epidemic in 1869, although some were known to have died of natural causes. The cemetery was established sometime after Frio Rio came into existence in 1858. It is currently located behind the bank half a block north of the courthouse plaza on Highway 72 and half a block east of State Highway 16, across from the new sheriff’s office. In 1877, Boot Hill Cemetery was abandoned in favor of the present Hill Top Cemetery and then neglected for more than half a century. During this time a number of the markers deteriorated, fell down, and became lost, along with the local history they contained. In 1955, when the Cenizo Garden Club was organized, its members began to clean up and restore the cemetery. They cleaned the plots, cleared out the brush, and located as many graves as possible.

The grounds were enclosed by a low border of native stone and the Boot Hill Cemetery sign, a large boot made of masonry mounted on a large slab of petrified palm stump, was added to the cemetery grounds.

The club was also instrumental in obtaining a historical marker, which now stands at the entrance to the cemetery.

This is the only grave that has a name on it…..Glenn Greer….died 1878….. He was thrown and killed while trying to ride a half tamed horse. His grave is still evident today (July 2002), as his family was notified of his death and they sent a iron railing and marble slab for his grave.

Epamindondas M. Crain had made a trip to San Antonio in 1869 when the cholera epidemic was raging, contracted the disease and died a few days after reaching home. His headstone reveals that he was born in 1816 and died in 1869. He served during the Civil War and was a private in the 29th Brigade Texas Troops Confederates States Army. Three other cholera victims were also buried here during this time, but their identities are unknown. All the graves of the cholera victims were completely sealed with rock tombs. The story that has been handed down is that the citizens of Tilden were so terrified of cholera that they were afraid it might work up through the soil and infect others, so they sealed these graves in rock tombs. How true the story is, no one knows. (Note: When Renee Smelley visited the cemetery in July 2002 these graves were evident by the rock tombs that were on top of the ground, but were falling in and apart.)

Dick Gossett was wounded in a gun battle at Fort Ewell and buried here in 1869. Known as one of the most noted outlaws of this area, a confederate deserter and a ruthless cold blooded killer. Dick’s brother, Malachi, and their partner, Tom Green, tried to get him to Tilden for help, but he died before they reached town. Note: No headstone located.

John Smithwick was murdered in 1870 while he was being held prisoner of the law. The murderer thought Smithwick knew too much and this might be brought out during the trial. Evidently the murderer was later shot by another person seeking revenge for the murder of Smithwick. Note: No headstone located.

A stranger arriving in town on the stage coach had the bad judgment of walking around town in a top hat. Some men from a local Dogtown saloon took notice of the tall hat and jokingly decided to put a bullet through the crown. Clabe Young, one of the pranksters, had bad aim, shot to low and the unfortunate stranger was killed instantly. Note: No headstone located

Wheeler, Phelix, infant son of Leonidas and Sarah Walker Wheeler, died of natural causes. He was born on September 13, 1870 and died on October 16, 1870. Note: No headstone located..

How many others are buried in Boothill Cemetery we will probably never know, but it is thought that others were also buried here before 1877.

Tilden was on the caravan route between San Antonio, Dogtown, Fort Ewell, Laredo and Mexico. Some time during the Civil War a stage route was also added and saloons began to spring up in Dogtown. These all brought many undesirable characters to the town as well as men who were on the run from the law that used the surrounding area and brush to hide. Some of these undesirables provided quite a few occupants for Boothill.

In 1877 Boot Hill Cemetery was abandoned in favor of the present Hill Top Cemetery. Hill Top Cemetery was originally called Graveyard Hill and many early setters as well as several generations of their descendants have been buried in Hill Top. Hill Top Cemetery still serves the community today. I will be checking out that cemetery soon….

This sign was at the corner of the court house…….Rather interesting….I decided to include it for all the history buffs…..lol….Tilden is the county seat of McMullen County

Turkeys, Turkeys, Pipeline Nearing Done……….

October 2, 2015October 2, 2015w2bergen 2 Comments

“This gas pipeline was suppose to have gas in it by Oct. 1, according to the contract. They are behind. This past week, they finally finished all the tests with the “Pigs” to clean out the pipes and reduce the moisture percentage. They called in the welders to weld the 2 sections of 15 miles of pipe at the valves. This is on my gate. When the welding was complete, they then had to run more pigs from plant to plant. That would be a total of around 32 miles of pipeline. They had to send a “smart pig” down to check humidity and cleanliness. Then they had to send another “smart pig” down to check for anomalies at the welds or any dents or anything out of the ordinary. This “pig” costs around $50,000. It has sensors all over and records the whole pipeline, sending print out as it goes. All of that is nearing completion, but Oct 1 is here. In the contracts, all the property owners had put in fines if the deadline was not met. On Richs’ side, the owners had a daily late fee…..We heard $20,000 a day…..Lot of money……On Wed., the 31st, the company gave the workers a deadline. ” You must have the stretch between Gate 16 and 20 closed off and released to the property owners by midnight”. So we had to stay on our gates till after dark. This stretch consisted of around 7 miles. Unlike Illinois, their is so many roots from the cactus and mesquite trees in the ground. After they cover the pipe with the dirt, they have to manually walk the pipeline and pick up all the roots.

This is one trailer of many, they hauled into my gate. Their were at least 3 trucks pulling trailers and cages driving rounds.

It is unbelievable the amount of roots that are collected. They hauled them to my side and dig big holes to bury them. Eventually the whole 32 miles will be walked and cleaned. So Wed. nite, they pulled every man off their job, even the heavy equipment operators to clean. By a little after 9 pm. they had hauled all the port a pottys from the other gates, and had picked up the roots, and all machinery was driven across to my gate. Finally they locked up the gate………Gates 15-20 now OFFICIALLY closed……So now, my gate is still open, and Rich and I will be taking turns with it. Now we get a day off every other day. ….. Good Deal. ….. We are sure ready for that.

When they first enter an area to dig, they have to clear the trees and cactus.

This is what typical property looks like before cleaning.

This is what the ground looks like after. These are roots that are still growing. The brush on top has been cut down, but see all the roots? When the ground is dug, all these will be in the dirt. Sure is different that Illinois dirt…..and I complain about weeds?….lol….

This is the section of pipeline now closed. The road on the right belongs to the rancher. On the left is the pipeline. The ground will eventually be taken over by nature and will be a great pasture area for the wildlife and cattle.

This is the property line of the rancher on my side. Most all of the ranchers mow a path against the fences and the rest is natural land for hunting. They use it as a path to get around to hunt with their vehicles or 4 wheelers, and it is also a great grazing area for cattle. This rancher has a high fence for the purpose of keeping his white tailed deer inside.

Their are lots of turkey here. We can watch them herd up and down the road a half a mile away. They never seem to come all the way up to us. I guess they know where home is….lol..

We had heard some guys say they roust on the telephone poles at nite…..Really….That’s a long way up for a big bird. They other morning at sunrise, one of the workers said they seen them 4 telephone poles away. Rich and I got in the truck and drove down. ….. Amazing……

They just sat their and then they were getting nervous, probably because we were watching them, and then flew away one by one….Amazing these big birds can lift their bodies and fly up that high.

Last nite as I was leaving and making my 3.5 mile drive up the gravel road at about 10 miles an hour, I drove past a ranchers gate, and the flock was running back and forth in front of the gate….It was so funny. I sat their in the truck and one by one they finally flew over the fence.

Looked like they were saying………..”Let us in…Let us in….”

Over by the edge inside of the fence was a Long horn Steer watching….Then up came a cow….Imagine what they were thinking…….”Stupid birds, You can fly”…..

Just found out, we will have the weekend off. They are closing our gate for the weekend for hunting. I think they are trying to keep the property owners happy….lol….Deer season is almost here and Quail season is here. As we sit every day, you can see the Quail walking in flocks across the road. You can hear the little peeps and then here they come….lol…so cute….It you scare them they take off flying. I tried to take a picture but haven’t succeeded yet.

It will be nice to have the weekend off. That means a trip to town, probably eating out several times. and a little exploring………….I sure hope that I’m not boring you with some of this info. Rich and I find it very interesting. Were always asking questions to understand what is happening. So interesting…..Were never to old to learn are we…..

Two Weeks On The Pipeline…..

September 26, 2015October 2, 2015w2bergen 2 Comments

This last week and a half has brought much change. On Friday, Sept. 11, we were still 16 miles from Carrizo Springs Tx. gate guarding an oil well. We were Gate 3, and our neighbors next door were gate 2. They were a married couple and her twin sister and 3 dogs. Down the road was gate 1. The new couple had just come in on Wed. and taken over, as the other couple left. They were new and were going to get their license. We had a really hard rain on Thur. nite and their awning was torn off the trailor. Well, if you remember, my last blog the crickets were so bad. Well they just got worse. Friday nite, we all got the call around 9:30 that all 3 gates were closed………….Wow………..Now were were expecting it but, to have all 3 at the same time….rather surprising…..We were to be off duty 6am. Saturday morning and pack to leave. So this is what we got up to……

More Crickets…….Horrible Horrible…..the smell was getting so bad. They were everywhere…..Piles under the wheels. So Rich got out the Raid and sprayed the screen. Then we pulled our patio rug out the the road and sweeped and dumped all the crickets.

They were so Gross………Grrrrrrrr……..We actually were very glad to leave. Then the worst part, when we put in our slides, Rich chased the crickets off the bottom, but when they were in, Guess What…………..Crickets came in on the top of the slide……….Oh No………We ended up killing Crickets the next several days…..We even went to bed at nite hearing them in the Motor Home…..Yuck….

We had asked Chris our supervisor if their were any other jobs. He said their were 12 hour gate jobs in Tilden. It was 2 hours away straight east. We could also have free hookups. It wasn’t what we really wanted, but we decided that we would go. We stopped to see the neighbors and Carol came out and said, “See what happened”…..They started up their 1986 Motorhome and a huge pile of liquid came out underneath. We felt bad, but had to leave. Their car and broke down on Thursday, in town. The parts couldn’t be ordered till Mon. and now this. I text them on Tue. and found out they had to be towed to San Antonio and they were in a motel, waiting for one of the vehicles to be down. I hope they are doing well now.

We arrived in Tilden and found it to be a small town of 450 people. It is the County Seat, and is also the home of Boot Hill Cemetery, one of the 2 authentic cemeteries of its kind in the southwest. It was so named because many of those who were interred there died violently, “with their boots on.” I will be investigating this before we go….Sounds so interesting. It’s main income now is due to the growth of the oil industry. It is the home of many of the employees of the oil or pipeline company’s in the area. The area is full of wells, but now it is really slow as the Oil boom has really slowed down. They have lots of housing, and trailer parks for the employees.

Here is some of the housing.

But this is the nicer one. Right now, many of these units are empty. We found our place to park and hooked up……Not really nice at all………..but FREE………everything we needed. Our new supervisor came, John. Here we find out its a gas pipeline and he is going to give us not only one, but 2 gates…………Yea…..Double Money………..”The catch”….its 32 miles from town. He gave us directions……travel 23 miles south, turn left, after 7 miles turn on San Diego Road……drive approx. 3.5 miles on gravel road. You’ll find 2 gates across from each other……..Be their 6 AM. Monday………….What!!!!………..its dark out at 6…No lights on the gates……Their are NO NUMBERS on the gates either…….How do we know?……No signs……lol….We decided to go out the day before and find it…..Thank Goodness…It is a horrible gravel road the shakes the truck from front to back…..You cant go over 15 to 20 mph for the 3.5 miles…..It is desert, cactus, mesquite trees, and they call them ranches………..lol….

Wild Turkeys, roam the roads and ranch property. Groups of a dozen or more….

We found it….It turns out this pipeline is gas and is nearing done. The pipeline is over 32 miles long. It is connecting 2 gas plants that are 32 miles apart. Right now they truck it over and it is over 90 miles one way. So this will be quite a savings. Our gates are right in the middle.

Richs’ Barbed wire gate……he has to open it for each truck and log their plate and signature

My Gate on the left. It is a double swing nice galvanized gate….lol…This is our canopy were we hang out. The Guy is Bruce…..We called him Louisiana for most of the time. lol..We didn’t know his name. He was from Louisiana, lives in Arkansas, but works for this company in Texas. He is a welding inspector. He spent more time washing his truck and talking than working….lol….But that’s where we learned a lot of info. He was very nice and loved telling us all about the industry.

Gate 15 and 16 are right across from each other on the country gravel road. The pipe is a 24″ pipe, that is already buried. They are right now cleaning out the pipe and getting it ready to fill with gas. It is quite a process. My gate is the center of the project and is where the valves are. They are cleaning them out with Styrofoam “PIGS” as they call them.

Used “pigs”, being taken to the land fill…..Different colors mean different textures for cleaning….

They are the same circumference as the pipe and some have bristles. They are shot threw the pipes under pressure, from the plants to the valves. They clean out the inside. It takes one, 3 hours to go 15 miles. When they come out at the valve area, their is a big boom and lots of dust is stirred up in the air.

After filling with water, they also build up the pressure for 8 hours to make sure it is sealed. Then after draining they have to shoot more pigs through to dry the inside of the pipe. They said the pipe held 2 million gallons of water in the pipe. It was then drained into the ranchers pond and the remainder over the next hill. During the drying process, they told us it could take up to 150 “pigs” to dry the pipe. Now the drying process is over and they are connecting the 2, 15 mile sections and welding them together at the valves. We have maybe 2 weeks tops here and it will be over. My gate will be last, as it is were most of the activity is.

Heavy Equipment crossing the road on tires, from gate to gate…

They are now grading and cleaning all the areas of the pipeline. Some places will be reseeded as to what the rancher wants. Then all the gates the contractors installed, will be replaced with new fencing.

The 2 ranches that we are on have the most interesting, beautiful iron works on their gates. The rancher gates are left undisturbed and the contractors installed their on gates about 50 ft from them. The ranch on my side is owned by a man from Houston. He uses it for hunting. He has a pond, deer stands, and his house trailer for his stays. We were told he has over $800,000. worth of white tailed deer on his property. Hunting is quite an industry in this area.

The owner was down last weekend and was Quail hunting on his property. Other wildlife in the area are Turkeys, Javelinas, Wolves, some Bobcats, lots of Ground Squirrels and Road Runners, and of course the dreaded Rattlesnake.

Now on Richs’ side is the most beautiful Proud Deer standing over the gate…..Standing so tall and Proud….

This rancher feeds his deer with a product called “Record Rack”…..We have seen deer, but only the young ones.

All in all, this has been a long 2 weeks but we’ve learned and experienced so much. And of course above all me made some nice money so far. In 2 weeks or less, we will be done and on our way….Don’t know where Yet……lol…..That’s the Adventure……lol….

Until then, we are getting up at 4 am. Packing lunch and coolers, leaving to buy a bag of ice every morning. We arrive at our gates at 6 am. We stay till 7 pm. and then head back home, arriving by 8 pm. Eat and to bed by 10 or earlier. It gets to 95 in the afternoon…..we drink lots of liquid….I eat ice and run water over my head also….lol….and the worse part is ….NO PHONE SERVICE….NO INTERNET .until we get home….So not a lot of time to write this blog….But the wildlife is breathtaking. We are spending everyday in their environment and can watch their daily activities…..We have lots more stories to tell….

………….''AND LET THE FUN BEGIN''……………..

Our Diaries of Daily Life and Travel

Author: w2bergen

No Blog In a Month?…..What Have I Been Doing…

52 Years Ago President Kennedy was Assasinated

Iwa Jima Monument…Original in Harlingen

Great Time on a Segway and Seen a Terrific Raptor Show

Gate 15 Officially Closed….Just In Time….

Our Little Mexican Ground Squirrel Friends…..Ralphs

Still at the Gate….and Hill Top Cemetery

A Quick Trip to Harlingen & “Boot Hill Cemetery”….

Turkeys, Turkeys, Pipeline Nearing Done……….

Two Weeks On The Pipeline…..

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