Text Box: Smith Family Newsletter March  2008

Text Box:   East to Texas and Louisiana

Text Box: Well it is now March and Bob & I are arriving in El Paso, TX.  I was still getting over the effects of the flu, so we stayed a few extra days here to recuperate.  We met a new HR couple here, Paula & Gerald Fenner, who we got to know. Through our contacts they decided to join the 400 chapter.  Our next stop was to be Alpine, TX and we were beginning to wonder about the weather as it has still been quite cool.  Arriving in Alpine it was down right chilly during the day and cold at night, but we were  4,500 ft above sea level.  This is another one of those places that is remote from the rest of the civilized world.  We never did get down to Big Bend National Park as it would have been another 100 mile drive to get to it and really see anything.  We had plenty to do where we were.  We visited Fort Davis, a National Historic Site.  The Army Post, established in 1854 is one of the best examples of a restored frontier fort in the country.  It is also extremely scenic as it is set at the base of some very interesting cliffs.  See pictures below. We also spent a whole day at the McDonald observatory which we found especially interesting.  It was quite an educational experience.  It is considered to be one of the major astronomical research facilities in the world.  As we walked up to the visitor center, there was a man outside the door with his own telescope inviting people to look at Saturn with it’s rings, etc.  He was not even part of the Observatory Staff, just doing this on his own.  The Visitor Center, had some great exhibits and a theater.  We had a great tour of the facility, participated in day time solar viewing demonstrations, as well as the night time star party, which ended with another opportunity to look through a telescope.  We had a great time and would go back again in a heart beat. Outside of Alpine was a viewing station to see the Marfa Mystery Lights, which can be seen most nights.  We stopped to read the sign but it was too cold to stay and look for the lights.  No one really knows what causes this phenomenon.  The pictures of the Observatory will be to the right in an effort to keep them together.  

Text Box: Visiting with friends is always a highlight and we did so when in Texas.  Ed & Kay Lee, now past members, still friends are just as active with the chapter as they ever were!!  They do have a nice comfortable little house on the property of their daughter and son-in-law on the South East edge of San Antonio.  We called and met them for lunch one day and then followed them back to their home.  It is on the size of a small guest house and meets their needs nicely.  There is plenty of room for them to park their truck and fifth wheel.  We spent a great afternoon chatting, checking out their electronic gadgets, and discussing the issue of people like ourselves having a ‘realistic exit plan’ from this life style.  The next day we were leaving the area and Ed & Kay were not going to be far behind as we were all heading for the South West Rally in Rayne, LA and the Chapter 400 Spring Rally in Foley, AL.

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