Tripping Through Life

Home from our long vacation, and it’s back to the grind of cleaning the house (even more so after being gone for so long!), and working in the yard that has gotten slightly wild with no one to tend it.  Nothing has appeared of great interest for me to write about, but I thought that I should put in a last post before June ends.  Wow, July starts tomorrow, and with it, the last half of the year.  Time goes by much too fast!  So long, farewell to our lovely June! (It was a June to remember, though.)

I could not help but comment on this article I read in Friday’s USA Today newspaper. It was about fishing tournaments and one of them really caught my attention; not because I would want to participate, but just the opposite, it is something I can’t imagine ever participating in!

It seems that “noodling” is what they call catching catfish with your hands. You walk along the lake shore, and look for catfish holes. If and when you find one, you reach your bare hand in the hole and try to pull out the catfish! Ewww! Getting your hand scratched up is the least that will happen if you run into a giant catfish–or worse: a snapping turtle–in the hole!

This contest is in Pauls Valley, OK on July 11th for any of you that might think it would be a fun thing to do!

We ate the other day at Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ near the intersection I-35 and Loop 1604. When you pull in at first all you notice are the gas pumps in the front. Then you get out of your car and smell the wood smoke from the cooker–that always smells good. They have a small store inside with drinks and ice cream, and lots of tables for the hungry people who frequent this “restaurant” probably very frequently.
We got their baby back ribs, which had a dry rub on them and it was pretty spicy. I’d have to say (in my opinion) that these ribs weren’t nearly as good as Corky’s in Gatlinburg. However, they had great creamed corn (yum!) and potato salad and they gave us a sample of their sausage, which was very good also. I may have to try the brisket next time . . . They love the military there and came around to thank everyone in our group for their service to our country. And, they offer a nice military discount. A definite thumbs-up to Rudy’s!

I forgot to mention the great baby back ribs we had while eating at Corky’s in Gatlinburg. They were really friendly there, and I guess they are known for their ribs. They were yummy, and that’s saying something as I am pretty picky about ribs. I definitely recommend them. The pork sandwich on the other hand, was only so-so. Go with the ribs!

We are having a nice time in Texas. Everyone we have come in contact with has been so nice. I’m starting to like it here! Well, I should amend that to say that we have been in the San Antonio area this whole time. We’ll check out the big city of Arlington/Dallas next week and see how they measure up!