...observations of a Canadian in Texas...

[oldLenny]

I got some pic's back today and wanted to share them and some of my "Adventures" with the rest of you while I was in Texas.

First and foremost, I want to thank "Kimmy" and Scot Van A for their undying hospitality, insane dinners, and generally being amongst the finest people I know.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen110.jpg

They put up with Gerry and I for 5 days in THEIR home, gave us the "keys to the Kingdom" and let us run amuck ! I am not all that sure that they wanted to stay up all night, every night and watch us drink beer,...but they did!

Gerry and I left Victoria (2650 miles away) on Friday at noon. We ended up at Scots' house on Monday about noon due to many "incidences" along the way. It is a 52 hour drive that we managed to stretch into 72 hours and no one slept. needless to say we were a bit "punchy" when we ran into Scot. This is a photo of the "nerve center" of the vehicle..(a 1979 Chevy van that we pulled out of the bush of a buddies place where it sat for 2 years, then I put oil, tires, and belts on it and away we went. It was basically a "LEM" (lunar escape module) and if things went tooo wrong it was going to stay there or somewhere along the highway, and then we would rent and carry on.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen105.jpg

The scenary along the way was to die for...(we almost did) Travelling thru 9 States and heading South is full of inspiration. Although the geography is astounding, views unbelievable, it seems the one we saw the most of was this one.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen103.jpg

When we got to Houston we showed Scot a list of the things we had to replace along the way. This is a pic of him looking at it. (It was held high and it touches the dock)

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen112.jpg

After travelling for 72 hours straight and eating nothing but stuff that comes from places like this

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen104.jpg

...it was with GREAT RELIEF that we got to Scots' and found this lifestyle awaiting...

Gerry telling the folks at home how horrible it is...

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen106.jpg

Kim, (his wife) and Scot treated us like royalty, we felt incredibly comfortable, and the whole thing was simply,...a blast...Scot took Gerry and I to Galveston, showed us how to get around in town, introduced us to friends (risky stuff Scot ) took us on a salvage "mission" into the Gulf on the "eve of Isadore", took us out for meals, took time off work to "hang out with us" and,...simply put,...was AWESOME !!!
This is a pic of him PRIOR to taking us out into Galveston Bay for a GREAT RUN by Kemah and then out.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen107.jpg

The Bay was ROUGH, (no, NOT this one...)big boats turned at the mouth but we didn't. There is just something special about heading out into a tropical storm, no one else in the water, clouds like I've NEVER seen before whirling above, and jumping waves only to get soaked, (read that SOAKED !!!) and the water is 45 degrees warmer than mine at home. It is like taking a bath, maybe even hotter, and I don't think I could EVER tire of it. Here is a pic of the 'Master as we come back in from Galveston Bay...That is not sweat !!!

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen108.jpg

[oldLenny]

Part two (too many pics)

...and another, same evening, coming back, soaked, the lens unfiltered and raw.

Listening to a 350 mag, open exhaust, riding in a Donzi and staring at this 2600 miles from home is, well, ...something I won't forget anytime soon...

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen109.jpg

After eating more MEAT than I have eaten in the last year in one week, it was time for all to meander up to Possum Kingdom. Not knowing what to expect, I can only say this.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen116.jpg

AGAIN !!!, Todd and Jill Somerville extended the same "welcome home atmosphere" that Kim and Scot did and it was awesome. They have a beautiful place above the cliffs at Possum, all the amenities of home, and deal up the same hospitality !!! Thanx again guys...

On another note, and maybe it is a secret (or is supposed to be) BUT, I want to say this about the place and the people of Texas. Then I'll get off the soapbox.

Growing up, too much TV, I fostered ideas and pictures of what California/Hollywood looked like. At the same time I did the same for Texas. Now I don't want to offend anyone, but, after traveling many times down to California in the same manner as I did to Texas, I was dissappointed as to what I found. 1/2 a mile from shore, or Beverly Hills for that matter, all different than on TV, the ocean couldn't be seen at that distance, only the sound of waves and all the "pretty" distractions were man made.

These are only MY observations...

Texas now, well that was a different story. (...for me...)

I listened to too much Z.Z. Top, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ry Cooder, saw Sean Penn and Clint Eastwood in too many movies and this vulture infested, baron wasteland, complete with deserts, skulls, gun slingers and rattlesnakes couldn't be further from the truth.(well maybe the gunslingers... )
The place is astonishingly "green" , there are real grass lawns everywhere, deserts areas are GEORGEOUS, the place is ALIVE, the coast is candy for the eyes and the people nicer. I went to Amarillo, South to Dallas, Houston, Galveston and then drove through all of it again. Thanks farmers (you know who you are) for the cotton and jalapeno "incite". Your places blew me away.

Yes, I will be back!!!

In honor of the people and times we had there I took this picture. My apologies for the lighting. No retakes. It's too bad, but the idea is there.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen101.jpg

The rock in front by my feet IS from the Possum Lake area. I couldn't leave on that Sunday morn without taking a piece of Texas with me so this 75 pound yellow stone should help me get through the "colds days ahead" here. (Mark and Polly, while I was standing off the side of the road, in two feet of grass, all excited about my find, what do you think crossed my mind?...YEP!!! Copperheads, Rattlers, Scorp's and Jigga's. I couldn't believe I just turned over a rock and was knee deep in the grass. That was a little un-nerving.

Here is what I travelled for and its "new" resting spot.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen102.jpg

It needs a lot of work, but I love it. Just wait till I find the print in the lay-up showing a 64-65 boat and a low number. I can't wait.
There are one or two GREAT photos out there somewhere on someone else's camera that I think we SHOULD post. You know, the ones from midnight at the Possum Recreation lock-up area...
Tooo funny.

The three boats,...

Mark and Pollys' 22 big block. P.S. Polly, I love your idea of breakfast.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen114.jpg

Harbourmasters' and Kimmys' 18 with "guests"

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen113.jpg

Todd and Jills' HP500 22. Can't say enough about the ride of this boat. Jaded for life, can't think about ANY OTHER MOTOR other than one of these. Man, the sound, the ride...Awesome Todd!!!...something about being in a boat, "cruising at 60" and then getting punched in the head when the hammer goes down...unreal...(I think I'm ready for Geoo...)

http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen115.jpg

I want to specially thank Heidi for making coffee prior to my joining the planet every morning, (pre 7am), Scott Baxter for sharing some X boat performance "hints and tips" and sharing the "Miami way of Life", Todd Somerville for the experience of running a gas blender and a wood bar-b-que that spits out steaks that taste better than a gas one anyday, as well as letting me (a Canadian) wear a Lifeline vest and put his 'kin in Stearns... not to mention the chaufer duties in the Gator-ized Gator, Scot and Kim Van A for the Steaks, Fajita's, Internet access and showers, Joel for towing me around in a 30' sailboat in the Gulf prior to Isadore, and Mark Horne for scaring the $hit out of me with his bug stories only to find out that they actually are TRUE,...oh!, and the CD I am listening to right now as I type. Very Cool idea!!!

Well, we're home, imported, now have the ONLY real Classic here, (all-but very rough) and can't say enough about the people and your place!

Thanks EVERYONE!!! Gerry and Lenny
http://www.donzi.net/photos/lgreen111.jpg

Oh, almost forgot. And a special thanks to all the 'gals at HOOTERS in Seabrooke Texas.

We love you!

[harbormaster]

Great post Lenny. You guys are welcome down here anytime! I am ready for the intracoastal trip to Mexico!

[Scott Pearson]

Lenny,
Great story! Sounds like you guys had a blast. Love the van...That took ballz to drive that thing all they way down there.

Good luck with the 16.

(NJ)Scott

[CDMA]

Hey that must mean Lenny can drive fast wink wink wink

Chris

The 38th hour STRAIGHT of fire main coninutes...delerium is present...

[Digger]

now thats what I'm talking about!! Great post Lenny!! Let that be an example to those going to Sarasota! share the fun with the unfortunates that cant go-
thanks Lenny

[mattyboy]

good job Lenny,
best of luck with the boat

matt

[RH]

Just think back about 7 years. Would all of this be possible? The modern marvels of internet and the common thread that ties us all together, DONZI! I just glad that you finally have a Donzi Lenny! Great trip only means great friends and alot of cool memories. Can't wait to see your new toy go through the transformation!
Enjoyed your post!
RH

[farmer tx]

Harbormaster and Lenny `SEAL THE DEAL' in a midnight ceremony in front of witness. http://www.donzi.net/photos/pjtr04.jpg
Harbormaster suffering sellers remorse. http://www.donzi.net/photos/pjtr05.jpg

[Gritz]

Lenny,
Enjoyed your post and great pics.
Sounds to me the only thing more fitting for your adventure is a 60's model VW bus. LOL
Errrr...........however you did have a boat to take back. Good luck with the project.
Stan

[Forrest]

Great post, Lenny. What an adventure! Looks like you got a nice trailer for that 16 too!

[RickSE]

Great Post. Sounds like a fun adventure. Lenny, next time you come down try to pass through Flagstaff.

[boxy]

Thanks for the great re-count Lenny. It nice to have someone confirm first hand the opinions I've formed of the people I've met throught this site. :D
PS: the shot of your console tells the whole road trip story - RedBull and Tylenol

[roadtrip se]

Lenny,

Awesome accounting of your trip here. We really enjoyed the Canadian company for our first Texas round up and hope you two make it back for the next one.

Just as a side, I'm very happy that the Lunar Escape Module made it back up the hill and out of in front of my house! I believe the neighbors were a bit concerned. Scott Baxter and I did a quick tour of the LEM on Saturday night and the experience could only be described as an archelogical dig. The pictures here do not do the van justice!

Of course, you know that I am only kidding. Next time, bring more Bubba beer and fly...

Come back now, ya hear!

Todd

[HyperDonzi]

Lenny-So Texas isnt a big desert? Talk about confused, in school we are learning about the Roman and Mongolian empire but they teach us that Texas is a big desert!!!

Scot-When you said water will come over the bow sometimes, I though you would only be a little splahed. Your Soaked!!