In the northern hemisphere, meteorological spring begins on March 1, with the spring equinox occurring on March 20. That means the first weekend in March can vacillate between winter and spring. Fortunately, we experienced spring-like weather throughout the weekend, with mild temperatures, gentle breezes, and clear skies. We arrived on Friday afternoon and immediately went…
Jon tested positive for the COVID virus in mid-December, having avoided the infection for more than two years. His illness, while relatively mild, meant he couldn’t join Cliff in preparing Cloud 9 for an anticipated arctic blast a few days later. Consequently, Cliff performed what we call a “soft winterization,” which involved draining the water…
The unexpected highlight of our weekend was an invitation to judge the 7th Annual Rib Roast BBQ competition, presented by the Outlaw BBQ Association. Friday’s wet weather and plunging temperatures may have dampened some of the enthusiasm and produced a few cancellations, but the main competition commenced on Saturday, as planned, and we found ourselves…
The threat of severe weather throughout Friday afternoon dominated the local news for days. Our weekend at Loyd Park was dependent on one thing: a stop, en route, at Discount Tire in Grand Prairie, to evaluate a screw that had found its way into our tread. Would the storm strike at the precise hour Cloud…
The summer of 2022 has been one for the records, at least in terms of triple-digit temperatures and lack of rain. But this weekend brought a break in both. We arrived on Friday afternoon to set up camp and begin preparing for Date Night. With temperatures in the low 90s, it took only about an…
“Anyone who loves the law or sausages should never watch either being made.” That idiom came to mind this weekend as we became aware of the various parts of the pig that go into the Mexican version of chorizo, a highly seasoned ground or chopped sausage: lips, lymph nodes, salivary glands–you get the idea. Typically,…
All right. We surrender. It’s summertime, and the livin’ ain’t easy. As much of North Texas sweats through a string of record-setting heat waves, we are beginning to refashion our lives simply to survive the ultramarathon of misery that now defines our white-hot summer. We already limit our weekend activities to the early morning hours,…
Once again, we spent our weekend avoiding the summer swelter. That meant limiting our outdoor activities to morning walks and evening cookouts, spending the better part of the day in Cloud 9’s air-conditioned comfort. It even seemed like the birds took a break. Jon noted on our Sunday morning walk that there wasn’t as much…
Next week, we will likely experience our highest summer temperatures to date, with predicted highs reaching 107 degrees, and the potential for heat indexes to be even higher. But for this weekend, with temperatures in the low triple-digits, we enjoyed the shady surrounds of Site 10 at Loyd Park. Although it’s normal for temperature highs…
Over the course of a sizzling summer weekend, Jon read a profile in The New York Times about a couple who recently married. It concluded with the line, “We’re both looking forward to a chapter of domestic bliss, where we stay at home on Sundays and do the crossword and read.” Although we didn’t spend…
Garinns on the Go 