at this link  and here's some video of the Paluxy Pedal

What a nice day it was yesterday. A little cool, sunny but not hot. Perfect weather for the bicycle ride Paluxy Pedal which started off around 8:30 am from the Glen Rose High School. Rod Hale fired the starting gun. I went down 2008 and setup a camera to watch the bikers when they would turn to go up to the first rest stop at Fossil Rim Overlook-will put up some video in the next day or so. Jimmy and Ann McCoy were out there helping the bikers to know where to turn.

Pumpkin Fest was also yesterday. I wasn't able to see the Pie-eating contest but did get some nice pics of the booths downtown and people attending.

And I have to say that the National Night out hosted by the Sheriff and SVFD was terrific. I have a thing for car shows and this was the emergency vehicle equivalent of going to the State Fair. I particuilarly enjoyed the Fire and Rescue Vehicle which was quite state of the art. Among other things carried in the side were chain saws and a diamond blade saw to cut off the roof in order to let the fire escape. It was explained that if the fire is trapped without anywhere to go it will spread sideways. Also had a well-equipped jaws of life section, and, on top, a remote controlled lighting system for lighting up the area. I was also interested to see the difference between the vehicles. One of them is for brush fires, and is able to go off road. Had tanks in the back for dousing oil and gas well fires with a certain chemical, because you can't use water.

I wondered how often the jaws of life have to be used? I had heard that the salt water trucks barrelling down the highway cause a number of the wrecks that Hwy 67 has.

I've said before that, when I lived in The Colony, the entire town did NNO. Every block would decide to participate (or not) and then throw a block party. This was excellent not merely for the point of getting to know your neighbors and have a social event, but also to consider how, when you know your neighbors, you can watch out for them in case of crime. I hosted a couple of them for my block and we would have the sheriff's department and McGruff the crime dog come by to visit the kids. I'm so glad to see that Somervell County did it this year and I heard from one proud grandmother that the idea was pushed by her granddaughter. good job!