Fall in the Ozarks, 2013

The leaves turned the first of this week and the trees are beautiful.  Unfortunately we have had the rain and wind for the last two days and a lot of the leaves have already fallen.  The sun came out this afternoon so I got the camera and went out to get some photos to share.

The view out my back yard.

There were no leaves in my yard on Monday.  Now it is a see of yellow leaves from my neighbor's tree.

We get mostly yellow and russet but some understory trees are red.

View across one of the hills.

And another.

And still another.

We do have some maples that turn red but they are not native to here and are at business's and in people's yards.

My Trip has been Canceled

I was really looking forward to the river cruise but I tore my lateral meniscus last week.  Doctor recommended I cancel and since I had travel insurance I did.  Hope to reschedule when my knee is better.

Coming Soon - Viking River Voyage - Budapest to Amsterdam

Here is the schedule for my upcoming trip on a Viking Long Ship.  I will be leaving on 11/5 and returning on 11/19.

Budapest, Hungary Nov 5 and 6

Bratislva, Slovakia Nov 7

Vienna, Austria Nov 8

Melk, Austria Nov 9

Passau, Germany Nov 10

Regensbury,, Germany Nov 11

Nuremberg, Germany Nov 12

Bamberg, Germany Nov 13

Wurzburg, Germany Nov 14

Wertheim, Germany Nov 15

Koblenz, Germany Nov 16

Cologne, Germany, Nov 17

Kinderdijk, Netherlands Nov 18

Amsterdam, Netherlands, Nov 19

Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas

Today was the last day of World Con.  For me it ended at noon.  I ate at Rosarios and then drove the Mission Trail.  Pictures are attached.  Mission San Jose is still in use as a church and is also part of the Nation Park system.  There was an award winning film at the Visitors Center that highlighted the people of South Texas and their history..

The church is in the background and what was living quarters are where the arched opening are.  All that is left of the living quarters are the walls.

The church inside is not large.  It is still in use today.

A view from the front.  According to the film when it was built it had very colorful decorations on the outside.  None are left today.

Although you cannot see the wall the entire area is walled like a fort and the local Indians lived in rooms built into the walls.

LoneStar Con (World Science Fiction Convention 2013) San Antonio, TX

I arrived in San Antonio this morning and after checking into the Hotel went over to the Convention Center.  I registered then went to here Joe Haldeman read, went to a panel on what made a great book review and to another about how authors should or should not self-promote.  In between I visited the dealers room and took the following pictures.

Beward!

The Controls

The Tartis

That's not the Doctor keeping an eye on things.

Part of original Star Trek Control Set.

You can sit on The Throne from The Game of Throne

Additional Photos in College Station

This looks more like SMU but the horses are outside one of the building in the Library complex.

A portion of the Berlin Wall which can down during Bush's term as President.

The Gulf War exhibit.  A very different time from what we are debating about 

today.

The summer Texas sky as I was leaving the museum.

Gifts to President and Mrs. Bush

The Gifts were in a separate room.  They were grouped by the type of item.

George Herbert Walker Bush Presidential Library, College Station, Texas

I am in College Station, Texas today and spent the morning at George HW Bush's Presidental Library.  The library documented his service in World War II as well as his long history of public service.  The library is well laid out starting with both his and Barbara's family.  I started the tour with a 20 minute film that outlined the content of the museum.  There was also a special exhibit featuring George Washington's Acts of Congress book.  No photos were allowed in that exhibit.

Outside of Museum

Father and Son

Presidential Limousine

Same model that President Bush flew in World War II>

Copy of Barbara's wedding dress.

Same model car Bush and family drove to West Texas.

A White House Dinner

The Bush Oval Office

George W. Bush Presidential Library - The Gifts

There were six windows in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum holding gifts that the Bush's received during their 8 years in the White House.  Photos were permitted in the Library as long as you did not use a flash.

From  Africa

I saw this and forgot to get the rest of the window.  This was from Saudi Arabia and was a gift to Mrs. Bush.

Asia, although it does not show up the necklace in the picture was very nice.

There was also jewelry from Europe and Russia.

Gifts from our neighbors.

And finally gifts from the American people including a very nice food and water dish.

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas Texas

I visited George W. Bush's Presidential Library and Museum today.  The museum part was interesting and very well done.  It is not a large exhibit.  9-11, Iraq and Katrina overshadowed his 8 years.  I did learn about some programs he started that were not well know.  I did all four of the choices in the Decision Center and found that I agreed with him on 2 of the four.  This is Presidential Library # 6 of the 13 for me.  I recommend visiting if you are in the Dallas area.

Entrance to the Library

National Archives Seal

First exhibit featuring baseball and one of the gowns worn by Laura Bush

Girder from World Trade Center

Dogs in the White House

Enjoying the Oval Office.  You can go in and enjoy the room.

The Decision Points area.  There are four situations you can follow and see what decision you would have made.

Father and Son in the Courtyard\

I had lunch in 43 (the restaurant).  Both the Service and the food were very good.