The hundreds of visitors who camped around the Hardeman County Courthouse in Quanah, Texas, are all gone now, leaving Cloud 9 as the lone witness to a weekend of activities, acquaintances and all-things-Airstream. It was our first regional rally, and our first experience “boondocking,” or dry camping–that is, camping without water, electrical or sewer hookups.…
This year marks the 27th National Coming Out Day, a commemoration of the one-year anniversay of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. When Jon worked at The Dallas Morning News, he published an annual, award-winning special section highlighting the lives of LGBT people, as well as their contributions to business, sports,…
With lowered humidity levels and slightly milder temps, we decided to spend the first fall weekend away from the bustle of the State Fair of Texas by heading to Loyd Park. The only crowds we encountered there were of the eight-legged variety: menacing spiders seemed to be spinning webs from nearly every branch. Ants and…
The origins of Labor Day, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, can be traced to Peter McGuire, who founded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1881. McGuire suggested setting aside one day a year to honor laborers, in 1882. He later joined forces with Samuel Gompers to found the American Federation of Labor (AFL).…
This year’s Fourth of July, our 14th celebration together, was an experience we’d rather forget. Although it began with much promise, it ended with more of a whimper than a bang. We thought the stars had aligned when we were able to get a campsite at Loyd Park, despite being told, early in the week,…
It’s hard to believe that a hotel restaurant, in continuous operation since the Civil War, has closed, and the Garner family reunion was its last event. The historic Stagecoach Inn Restaurant, billed as “The Oldest Operating Restaurant in the State of Texas,” closed its doors behind the last of the Garner clan to leave, with…
At the end of a particularly demanding work week, we were eager to get away. We set our sights on Salado, a tiny Texas town that was established in 1867 for the sole pupose of building a bridge across Salado Creek. Cliff’s Garner family was hosting its annual reunion at the Stagecoach Inn, a Salado…
No, we didn’t Christmas in Hawaii. Rather, we spent the holiday at Lake Livingston, in Onalaska, Texas. The weather was mild, the views spectacular, and the KOA campground exceptional. This is the nicest campground we’ve experienced thus far. Tucked among the Piney Woods of East Texas, the campground wraps around the shore of Lake Livingston,…
October brings seasonal change to North Texas. We experienced that change firsthand as we went from warm afternoons to chilly nights and crisp mornings at our lakeside retreat in Cedar Hill State Park. Brisk breezes prompted bundling up in blankets as we snuggled with our canine companions. Of course, October has also brought a job…
As we approach a full decade of marriage (we were married on Dec. 18, 2004, so we began our 10th anniversary almost a year ago), we’re grateful that we know each other better than anyone else knows us. We see each other’s faults and follies, and we lean on each other’s strengths and steadfastness. We…
Garinns on the Go 