We hadn’t planned on visiting Big Bend National Park when we set our 2015 travel calendar. But we also hadn’t planned on Jon attending the world’s largest gathering of radiologists just two days after Thanksgiving. The Radiological Society of North America will hold its annual meeting in Chicago from November 29-December 4, and Jon was asked to attend so…
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).…
Our beloved Loyd Park is finally recovering from the spring floods, opening more sites–and more possibilities–for weekend campers like us. Four of Loyd Park’s five camping loops are now accessible, but signs of the flood persist, as debris, as well as rusted sign posts, dumpsters, electrical hookups can be seen throughout the park. We had…
While reading a story in The New York Times about Tarrytown, New York, a village of 11,000 people about 25 minutes from Midtown Manhattan, it suddenly occured to us that we know very little about the American Revolution. According to The Times, the area was first inhabited by the Weckquaesgeeks Indians. Tarrytown was settled by…
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,…
After an intense, albeit shortened, work week, we began our three-day weekend at Loyd Park with a quick set-up, a first walk and a refreshing cocktail. We fired up the BGE and were soon enjoying grilled salmon, cob corn and shishito peppers, complemented by caprese salad and cabernet wine. That’s roughing it, Garinn-style. An after-dinner…
With so many area parks closed due to flooding, finding a place for weekend camping is a challenge. Thankfully, we discovered Loyd Park, a campground managed by the City of Grand Prairie. We hesitated to try a “city” park for a number of reasons. First, city budgets aren’t generous when it comes to parks and…
Garinns on the Go 