May 17th....Trip to Laredo Texas

On the way back from Laredo, Camille and I couldn't resist a few shots of typical Texas Valley scenery....

Pretty Ladies

An audience to the insanity (me in an ant bed)

A bug trying to land on a windy day

Plenty of fruit this season!

Yellow Rose of Texas....

Photo Meet Up Workshop

On Saturday, the 16th, I attended my first photo workshop with the photography meet up group here in Austin. They conducted 3 workshops: lighting, outdoor portraiture, and macro photography in nature.

I chose to attend the lighting session, as I felt that was a very weak point for me. I intended to line up portraiture next, and end up with macro (as the day would be warming up and being indoors seemed the logical place to be...right?)

I wish I had reversed the plan, as it started to sprinkle during the first class, the second class got moved indoors as the rain progressed to torrential status, and before it was over the final class had been cancelled!

Up side to it all...my sister Grace and my mom came up for the day from Laredo. My niece Camille joined us and we had a great day as it was...

Hope you enjoy the shots:

May 7, 2009

Nick, Abby, Myself

My daughter made it down for one day...

ONE DAY!

One day of a good thing is just NOT ENOUGH!!!!

Greenhorn Ride

The Line Up (My girl's #4)
Awaiting our turn on the course

Tarra maneuvering the cones

Veteran's Memorial in San Marcus

What a group heh?

Taking time to "tank up" for the next leg of the journey!

Wimberley Maui Wowee Coffee Shop

Nice lookin group of bikes!

I managed to complete my first group ride. It was called the Greenhorn Ride and initially we were going to ride to Groene Tx. But due to a later than planned get off and the weather being cloudy and windy, we changed plans and went to San Marcus. I believe there were 24 that participated. We lunched at Herbert's Taco Hut, then on to Wimberley for a break and gas up at Maui Wowee, and back to Akins High School in Austin where we met.

I really had a good time and met some wonderful people to ride with. My bike started cutting out on me between San Marcus and Wimberley. Thanks to some of the guys investigative work, it turned out to be loose connections on the battery. Got that tightened up and had no more problems. Sure am glad I was not on my own! And the next time they have a maintenance day, I plan on attending!

There was a fellow rider named Tarra, who has the same bike as mine. She is new to riding, having gotten her license 2 months ago and has only logged 100 miles on her bike so far. She has the 2008 model, so hers is black (she's the one riding the cones). I hope to get to ride with her and her boyfriend some on weekends. They live on the south side of Austin also.

Thanks for sharing with me.....

(some of the pics were from fellow group members)