Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[WM75Guy]

I wish! I have a good friend that used to run there regularly. I'll miss the fun, this weekend. Do you work many weekends there?

Mostly the big events, NHRA and Lucas Oil Series, when we set up a medical care center in the pits. I do a few of the smaller events and work the top end (finish line) ambulance. Too noisy for me in my old age at the starting line.

 

[NativeSon]

Hey Guys and Gals,I made it home. It is worse than first time...

Foreman- Glad you got thru it. Now listen to the Dr. and take it easy. You'll be up and rareing to go soon enough but start out slowly.

Charlie

 

[farmgirl19]

View attachment 337526View attachment 337527

Well tonight was one of those nights you may remember for a long time or not.. I was setting out on the patio drinking some 28 year old scotch when my wife came out with a jar of nuts and a glass of sweet red wine.. She said it is a full moon tonight.. So we set and watched as the moon started to clear the tree line.. I thought to myself. As the moon cleared the leaves,, darn those nuts sure are good.. Lou

You are so much fun, Lou! Those pics are gorgeous! I was thinking the moon looked especially pretty last night too. I didn't get any good photos though. Speaking of nuts, It looks like we might get a decent pecan crop this year!

repowell; Maybe I can make one of those events in the near future, when you are working it! Some sounds and fumes are still exciting! The only dragging I ever did was off of red lights! Would have been fun to hit 300 on the track! Maybe I can ride/fly in a Rocket soon!

 

[jinman]

Anyone going to the NHRA drag races at Texas Motorplex in Ennis this weekend?

The last time I was at a drag race was in the '60s at Green Valley Raceway in North Richland Hills, TX. I'd go and take my grandson if Ennis was a bit closer. I'm sure the Motorplex is really nice, but it's just too darn far to drive for this ol' guy.

I have to get my lawn mowed today in hopes the rain comes tonight and tomorrow. I probably should put out some fertilizer too, but only have a couple of bags of 12-12-12 I use on new seedings. I'm going to try and seed in some bare spots this fall. I don't want to fertilize heavily now and then have to water heavily to keep my grass from burning. If the weather pattern changes a bit, I'll get after the fertilizer, but now I'm skeptical.

 

[Bird]

The last time I was at a drag race was in the '60s at Green Valley Raceway in North Richland Hills, TX. I'd go and take my grandson if Ennis was a bit closer. I'm sure the Motorplex is really nice, but it's just too darn far to drive for this ol' guy.

I have to get my lawn mowed today in hopes the rain comes tonight and tomorrow. I probably should put out some fertilizer too, but only have a couple of bags of 12-12-12 I use on new seedings. I'm going to try and seed in some bare spots this fall. I don't want to fertilize heavily now and then have to water heavily to keep my grass from burning. If the weather pattern changes a bit, I'll get after the fertilizer, but now I'm skeptical.

Only been to Green Valley once and instead of drag races, it was sports car racing on a winding track in 1962 or 63. Corvette had the most power and acceleration on the straightaways, but couldn't keep up with the Porsches and Masserati on the turns.

And I mowed day before yesterday and watered yesterday, even got both vehicles washed yesterday, so I've done about all I can to encourage it to rain, although I don't know any rain dances to do, as some of our other members do.:laughing:

 

[pacerron]

Well tonight was one of those nights you may remember for a long time or not.. I was setting out on the patio drinking some 28 year old scotch when my wife came out with a jar of nuts and a glass of sweet red wine.. She said it is a full moon tonight.. So we set and watched as the moon started to clear the tree line.. I thought to myself. As the moon cleared the leaves,, darn those nuts sure are good.. Lou

Lou,
Nice harvest moon. I particularly liked the one with the tree branch, which creates depth perspective.
We had full cloud cover here last night.
Your full moon comes up tonight at 7:32 so the 8 pm time frame is good for a larger looking moon.
Comes up at 7:27 here so about the same time at local clock sets We are EDT and you are CDT.

A friend of mine who winters in FL and I tried to take full moon shots on the same night a couple years ago but got screwed up by one night's difference.
Anyway, even so, the Tycho Crater ( big belly button on the bottom) were at quite different locations with him being
almost 1200 miles due south of me.
You are about the same distance SW of me. It would be interesting to get comparison shots of the moon's navel location if we both have clear sky tonight.
30% chance of rain here tonight but that often changes by dark to none.
If you get a chance, take more moon shots tonight and I will try to as well.

As you know, shots like that give the light meters fits as they are trying to average everything. Even on "spot meter" as yours was set the moon usually is a bit too bright.
You might want to experiment a little by taking some at -1 or even -2.
I usually use Aperture priority (A) so I can control the f-stop, let the camera choose the shutter speed, and then use the +/- button to reduce the exposure. The difference shows up on the LCD prior to the shot.
Have to watch the shutter speed is hand holdable or use a tripod. At long zooms, 1200 mm equiv, I have to use a tripod for stability, even after a lot of Chivas Regal..:laughing:
Ron

 

[dacoonz]

Thanks. I have my tractor insured with them, but I only got it about 2 months ago and no claims. Their rates are far better than anyone else. Glad to hear they pay well.

 

[bindian]

Only been to Green Valley once and instead of drag races, it was sports car racing on a winding track in 1962 or 63. Corvette had the most power and acceleration on the straightaways, but couldn't keep up with the Porsches and Masserati on the turns.

And I mowed day before yesterday and watered yesterday, even got both vehicles washed yesterday, so I've done about all I can to encourage it to rain, although I don't know any rain dances to do, as some of our other members do.:laughing:

Bird,
That is alright. I got you covered. I'll be dancing Friday evening to keep all the moisture heading our way.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Lou66]

Lou,
Nice harvest moon. I particularly liked the one with the tree branch, which creates depth perspective.
We had full cloud cover here last night.
Your full moon comes up tonight at 7:32 so the 8 pm time frame is good for a larger looking moon.
Comes up at 7:27 here so about the same time at local clock sets We are EDT and you are CDT.

A friend of mine who winters in FL and I tried to take full moon shots on the same night a couple years ago but got screwed up by one night's difference.
Anyway, even so, the Tycho Crater ( big belly button on the bottom) were at quite different locations with him being
almost 1200 miles due south of me.
You are about the same distance SW of me. It would be interesting to get comparison shots of the moon's navel location if we both have clear sky tonight.
30% chance of rain here tonight but that often changes by dark to none.
If you get a chance, take more moon shots tonight and I will try to as well.

As you know, shots like that give the light meters fits as they are trying to average everything. Even on "spot meter" as yours was set the moon usually is a bit too bright.
You might want to experiment a little by taking some at -1 or even -2.
I usually use Aperture priority (A) so I can control the f-stop, let the camera choose the shutter speed, and then use the +/- button to reduce the exposure. The difference shows up on the LCD prior to the shot.
Have to watch the shutter speed is hand holdable or use a tripod. At long zooms, 1200 mm equiv, I have to use a tripod for stability, even after a lot of Chivas Regal..:laughing:
Ron

Ron I have a lot of pictures of a full moon and sunsets,, trees, roses, very few of people.. I will make a note to set out side and have few drinks and take some pictures.:laughing:. 8 PM will be a good time frame for me. Here is one more picture for you.. NASA needed another way to get to the moon so they built this tower to reach it.:shocked:. very few people know about it .:confused3:. Lou

View attachment 337578

 

[jinman]

Only been to Green Valley once and instead of drag races, it was sports car racing on a winding track in 1962 or 63. Corvette had the most power and acceleration on the straightaways, but couldn't keep up with the Porsches and Masserati on the turns.

Bird, do you remember the Dallas International Motor Speedway complex south of Lewisville just across from the present day Vista Ridge Mall? It was a super raceway completed in 1969 and only lasted until 1972 when it got flooded and eventually sold instead of rebuilt. I don't think it was very popular with the neighbors either since there were so many noise issues. I watched it being built and was pretty excited about it, but I went into the Navy in 1968 and never got to see a single race there before it closed.