Young Snowbirds » Portland

1956 Ward LeFrance Pumper – Classic Fire Truck

Rob — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:34:19 +0000

We drove past this fire truck just about every day when we were staying at Sea Breeze RV Park. Every time I went to the gym or we drove to Corpus Christi we saw it. It just sat there along the fence, under the tree, all alone, asking to be loved. We planned a couple of shots.. some basic ones, some using a special technique that would result in an HDR Photograph of a fire truck and then a technique Dar has used in the past called “painting with light.”

We drove up to the lot where the fire truck had been parked for what seemed like years. We got out and I began extending the legs of the tri-pod. HDR Photography requires that each shot taken has to be exactly from the same location but then with the different exposures and such within each photo. I am only beginning to understand the technique, so forgive me if I get some of it wrong.

As we took our time having a look, and choosing the angle, a fellow from across the street approached me.

“What Y’all doing?”, he asked.

Ah ha.. the owner of the truck obviously, living across the street, had parked the fire engine here and then forgotten about it. Barking dogs had roused his suspicion, and he must have looked out the window.

“Well, ” I began to say when another truck came around a corner a little up the street and then pulled across the road coming to a stop in front of mine.

I turned my head to see who I soon came to learn was Lupe J Jimenez, the actual owner.

In less than 5 minutes, one fellow was on his way across the street to check us out after having called the owner to say “there’s some people messing around with your fire truck, you better get your arse over here!”

Click the image of the fire truck for a larger version

While Dar continued to take photos, I introduced myself to Lupe and assured him that we were simply photographers wanting to capture this amazing classic vehicle. I couldn’t help but ask about the neighborhood watch they had in effect and comment on how well it worked.

“We all take care of each other”, he said, that much being obvious.

Fire Truck For Sale

We chatted about the history of the fire truck and what he plans to do with it. In short, we learned that he may have bitten off more than he could chew with this one, and is more interested in selling it than doing any sort of classic auto project. If you’re looking for a used fire truck for sale, I’ve been given permission to give you Lupe’s phone number and email address. You can reach him at 361-728-4373 or by email lupejj (at) charter (dot) com. Might be (dot) net though.

Before he left, we explained that we wanted to do a second set of images taken at night where we use the special “painting with light” technique, and that if he heard any reports of people around his fire truck with a lot of flashlights, not to be alarmed… it was just us again.

Painting With Light

Bear with me as I attempt to explain how this is done.

The photo above is a combination of about 7 different photographs. The tripod is set up and for between 1 and 2 minutes, the shutter is kept open. It’s completely pitch black out, with little or no ambient light. While the shutter is kept open, someone begins to light up or highlight sections of the truck with a flashlight… bringing attention to certain details. For example, the headlights and the chrome around the headlights or the hood ornament, the wheel wells and the door handles. Then the shutter is closed.

That’s right. There are people within that photograph. However, you dont see them because a) it’s pitch black and b) over a long exposure, the person actually becomes a ghost in the final image.

Then, it’s done again, but highlighting a different aspect. For instance, for 2 minutes in one of the shots, I’m behind the drivers side door waving the flashlight into the passenger area, through the front windshield (from behind) and then through the cherry on top of the cab. Then in yet another shot, Dar goes to the rear and lights up the rear wheels and the piping along the upper rear of the fire truck.

Details in the trunk of the tree and the lower branches are lit up in another shot as well.

The only real “trick” to watch out for is not to point the flashlight directly at the camera. Doing so results in a “hot spot” or “trace” effect.

During processing, all images are combined and the result is what you see above. A 1956 Ward LeFrance Pumper fire truck, in the dead of night, surrounded by darkness, but “pained with light”. Very cool stuff.

It took a day and a night to get the photographs we wanted and I would like to thank Lupe for allowing us access to, and his time spent with us, telling us about the fire truck. It was great getting to know the owner after having driven past it for so many weeks. By all means, please get ahold of Lupe if you’re interested in making him an offer. It’s not too often you find a classic fire truck for sale.

Day 74 – A Fish Fry and Willie Nelson

Darlene — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:16:45 +0000

When I photographed Dora and Otto’s corvettes the day before, she invited us to a “fish-fry” at their ranch on Friday. We already had tickets to go see Willie Nelson (I found them online for $20 each) but said we’d love to go. I wasn’t even sure what all was involved in a fish fry, and as neither of us had ever been we were eager to find out.

So Friday afternoon came and we headed out north towards Goliad, where I had taken photos of the Spanish mission earlier in the month, using the directions Dora had given us. Several others from the Seabreeze RV park were invited too, so we made a sort of convoy the 30 miles out into the back country of Texas.

Their ranch house is like a weekend or getaway place for them, as they live right in Portland. It’s a ranch-style house with one level, a porch and screened in patio. Otto has turned the garage into a workshop and 1 bedroom guest house. We immediately noticed and set out counting the stars that adorned almost every vertical surface. He was so engrossed in his counting that Rob completely overlooked the pistol that was just sitting on the counter. Just like any other household item, keys, a hat, etc. Texans sure do like guns – yes sirree!

Porch on their house

Doesn't it just LOOK like Texas? You have wagon wheels on your porch too right?

Front door and one of the many stars around the ranch

Yet more stars!

I found us a bit segregated as the men hung out in the garage, while George fried the fish (using his secret recipe that he wouldn’t divulge), and the women sat on the enclosed patio. Otto offered us a ride out into the pasture to see his cows, so we jumped at that opportunity. Brought me right back to my childhood and my uncles dairy cows out on the farm. These however are beef cattle, not dairy.

Texas Grass Fed Cows

Another lady sat up front in the “Gator” with Otto, and we had lawn chairs set up in the back for us to “set” on. He’s quite proud of his cows and seemingly everything he does is something he’s very passionate about. Not a bad way to be at all. He told us about how he was gonna do this and that and move some trees around a pond. When Rob asked him why, Otto said he likes to keep busy – no kidding!

Otto driving the Gator

We watched as the cows ate real grass and the calves fed on their mother’s milk – as it should be! However, we were disheartened to learn that even most grass-fed cows are sent to the big mass production feed lots and fed corn to fatten them up, and turn their fat from yellow to white (better for marketing supposedly). So apparently to be able to advertise “grass fed beef” the cows only have to eat grass for a certain percentage of their lives. In the end, they all end up in the same feed lots, and being handled poorly as they had to slaughter houses. We were not very happy to learn this.

THIS is what cows are supposed to eat!

See, she likes it!

Baby cows drink milk!

The Fish Fry

Back to dinner – the fish was catfish and tilapia (a white fish), coated with George’s special cornmeal and spice mix and fried. I particularly liked the catfish. As I mentioned, Rob asked but George would not give him the recipe. There were also leftovers from potluck the night before, so there was lots to eat. Good food, good company.

The signs says "RIP here lays the last SOB that didn't close the gate"

Yup, deep in the heart!

Willie Nelson Concert

The timing worked out for us to stay for the whole dinner, and after a quick stop at the RV back at Seabreeze, we headed off to the Old Concrete Street Amphitheater for the Willie Nelson outdoor concert. We got to the area and sort of just follow the traffic to find our $10 parking spot blocks away. It is in a warehouse area, and they had a free shuttle going back and forth to take people up to the main gate – a nice service!

The venue is a bit odd to say the least. It has two sections of pre-reserved seating with actual chairs placed in rows. The rest was just general seating where you could stand or sit if you could find a spot. It’s basically a flat area so seeing from the back – good luck. Or, they’d be happy to rent you a chair for $5 each if you could find somewhere to put it and actually see the stage. Bringing in your own chairs was forbidden. Of course – they couldn’t make the $5 then!

We also waited in line for about 30 minutes just to get through security at the main gate. They use actual metal detectors and everyone got patted down before being allowed to enter. It IS Texas after all – you did read about the pistol earlier right? LOL.

Yes it was Texas and Yes we wore winter clothes

We found a spot on a grassy hill area and put down our tarps – which we were allowed to bring. It was NOT that warm that evening, maybe 5c or 6c and I had on gloves and long underwear and 3 shirts. That didn’t seem to deter the girls that paraded around in Daisy Duke like outfits with teeny tiny short, cowboy boots, and midi tops. Made me wonder where Hazard County really is anyways – must be close!

The concert itself was just okay. The sound wasn’t great in this venue and Willie seemed to be mumbling a lot. But HEY – we saw Willie Nelson in concert IN Texas – how cool is that?!

Classic Corvettes On The Beach

Rob — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:23:30 +0000

A little over a week ago, the owners of Seabreeze RV Park in Portland invited us to a private showing of their classic corvette collection. Today, WE invited them to bring their favorite corvettes to Seabreeze so we could do a photo shoot of corvettes on the beach. Classic cars, classic corvettes, the beach and a sunset, what could be better?

They brought three Corvettes. How do two people drive three Corvettes? Regardless, we brought them down to the very edge of the RV park onto the beach that disappears into Nueces Bay and began positioning them. When all was said and done, we were late for potluck supper, but this is what Dar got:

The blue corvette you see here is a vintage 61 placed on top of a brand new 2007 corvette drive train. Ottos says that it’s 400 pounds lighter but with the same horsepower.

We found out later that they would NEVER have taken the cars onto the beach. Dora said something like “Not for 1 in a thousand people would we ever do that.” Well, we’re glad to be the ones they trusted enough to get the shots right.

Days 65-68 Sea Breeze Olympics

Darlene — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:04:10 +0000

The 21st Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver had already started and we participated in the annual Sea Breeze RV Park version of their Olympics. The day before kick-off, each of our team captains came to find us (we were on different teams) to talk strategy and meet their new team members. It seemed pretty serious.

Rob's captain Bob, who he started calling "Bocce Bob"

Day 1

Scavenger Hunt

The first event on day 1 was the scavenger hunt. We were given a list of items to gather and there were points for coming in fastest too, so timing was a factor. We had to find things like canned corn, state flags, seashells, a recipe for crab cakes, a long shoelace, Elvis stuff, red lace panties and prints of photos of our team in places around the campground. My team separated to scavenge and agreed to re-congregate to take our photos. I went to the RV to get what I knew was there. Rob came in looking for my red panties but I had beat him to the punch. He was printing his team photos when I left and stole the shoelace out of his hiking boot, which was under the RV.

The Orange team - I'm not putting Rob's here, cause you can see his later on.

Olympic Sabotage

It never crossed my mind that he’d pull a stunt like this, but apparently that’s how the male brain operates. I came back to print my photo and the printer wouldn’t work. No power. I checked the power bar – nope, all good there. Then the cord from the printer to the power bar – it was missing! WTF!? He sabotaged me the bugger! That’s dirty pool I say! Undaunted the girls in the office let me use their printer which luckily had a slot for memory cards. When I saw Rob he played all innocent. Game on.

Jan modeling the corset and red lace panties from the scavenger hunt

Bean Bag Toss

The second event in our Seabreeze RV Park Olympics was after lunch, the bean bag toss. Pretty simple – each team member throws 4 beanbags – highest team score wins. The events were all pretty non-physical, keep in mind many of the players are over 70 or even 80 years old.

Team Standings After Day 1

Dar’s Orange Team – 4th
Rob’s Pink Team – 2nd

The score keepers - do NOT mess with them, they are serious!

Day 2

Sponge Game

Day 2, Robs “pink” team took control of the games winning both the sponge game and the bocce ball tournament. The sponge game required each player to put a sponge into a bucket of water, pick up as much water with it as possible, run (or walk) 20 feet or so to a second bucket and squeeze out as much water as possible – all using only one hand. Rob claims to have a secret technique, he must have, or he cheated again cause Pink won that event.

This is Mr. Ed - he teaches Spanish and leads the guys porch chats daily at 4pm. Ed's an ex Texas state trooper and sheriff

Bocce Ball

The afternoon event was Bocce ball. I’ve never played before and Rob played once before. He know boasts that he’s undefeated and never wants to play again – as they took that event too. Bocce is kinda like curling or shuffleboard except our playing surface was a tad bumpy (lumpy grass). But we had lots of spectators and fans cheering us on. It took the better part of the afternoon to play a whole tournament.

Rob’s comment: My first game of Bocce ball was played on the beach of Vancouver Island while I was hiking the West Coast Trail. I won the game. After another day of playing 2 games of bocce ball at the Seabreeze RV Park Olympic Games, I remain undefeated. I’ve never lost a game. I’m not attached to the game at all, so quitting while ahead leaves me with a perfect record.

My team captain Pete

more bocce ball - Rob got carried away with photos

I made a good shot I think

Group hugs after a match

See I did have fun! Super nice people

Rob poses before a shot

Day 3

Called on Account of Rain

It rained overnight and was raining Friday morning, so the event scheduled for then was pushed forward to the afternoon and the afternoon ones to Saturday morning.

Water Balloon Toss

In water balloon toss each team had to successfully throw one balloon twice, between two partners, without breaking it and that counted as one point. It was funny to watch, many of the women caught it with their boobs. I was forewarned to remove all rings, good idea. Some teams got el zippo, nada, zilch. I think we ended up with 2 points and Pink won yet again with 4.

Day 4

Saturday morning were the last 2 events – egg toss and ladder golf.

Egg Toss

In egg toss, teams had to line up facing each other and were given 4 eggs with which to score. No, not by throwing them at the other teams! I wish. To get one point teams had to complete 10 tosses with the egg still in tact. If you dropped one, you could start again at that point with a fresh egg but the more you dropped the less points you could potentially get. And yes they were raw eggs. I didn’t get photos of this, didn’t want egg on my lens. I think Rob got some video but his laptop has bitten the dust so can’t get to it right now. Look for it later maybe. I hear the event was messier last year, but a few people did require a bath afterward. I successfully completed both receiving and tossing 2 eggs – redeemed myself a bit as I had broken 2 balloons by throwing too low to my partner. I got the technique now – watch out next year.

Ladder Golf

The final game was ladder golf. You throw a thing that has a golf ball tied to each end of a short rope and try to loop it over horizontal rungs (like a ladder). My team won our first game and advanced as did 2 other teams. But the Pink team got a buy into the final because they had the largest point spread in their win. Well laa dee dah! My Orange team went on the win the bronze match to meet Pink in the finals. It was a hard fought battle but in the end Pink once again triumphed and had enough points to take the Gold medal. We had to settle for 4th, out of the medals. But it sure was fun and a great way to socialize with people and get out in the fresh air.

Rob’s comment: just to be clear, and summarize what Dar’s saying in the paragraph above – My Pink team met her Orange team in the finals of ladder golf and the Pink team defeated the Orange team to take first place and get the Gold medal.

They had a wrap up BBQ (hot dogs and chips) and presented the medals. Now we have to come back next year. Rob has to defend his title and I want a rematch to kick his butt!

Mr. Ed

You can see Rob’s Kombucha Tea brewing on top of the stove in the background to the left. He’s got a 2 gallon glass container and a 1 gallon container brewing up there. It was nice and warm in The Place, and the Kombucha loved it.

First place PINK team, I keep emphasizing pink cause Rob was in denial about being pink.

Second place - BLACK

Third place - RED

The committee that put the games together

There was one extra event which we ended up running on the Monday, but didn’t count towards the medals – it was just for fun. Blind golf cart races. So one person gets blindfolded and the other seated next to them has to direct them around the course which twists and turns around a series of pylons. Quite hilarious to watch the navigator pointing which way to go – cause of course the driver can’t see that! Or them telling the driver to “go” or “step on the gas” and the driver thinks they are moving when they aren’t. Good game for husband/wife teams to try – just like real navigating the RV out on the road – lots of yelling “no no!” and some cursing, and sometimes running the curb or innocent bystanders.

Spectators at blind golf cart races

Ken directing his wife

Ken's wife almost running over the video guy! Look out Dick!

An all female team almost running over all the spectators. When the navigator put it in reverse and the little "beep, beep" sounded the driver was very confused. She didn't realize she'd run aground.

We did it twice – once with Rob driving and once with me driving. We had a better time when I navigated, not sure if that means he’s a better driver – or I’m a better navigator or what. We decided to leave that one alone.

This is the fourth year they’ve held the Seabreeze RV Park Olympics and they’re sure to keep going as long as the winter Texans all return. We enjoyed our time playing the games, the fellowship and time out of the RV itself. I’m not sure if any other RV parks do this sort of thing, but that again is just part of what makes Seabreeze RV in Portland Texas unique.

Days 56 to 61 – Sea Breeze RV and Goliad

Darlene — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:53:39 +0000

We arrived at Sea Breeze RV in Portland, Texas on Monday February 8th. Portland is across Nueces Bay from Corpus Christi. We can see the city skyline from the RV park. I researched a LOT of RV parks in the area and tried to find us one on Padre Island, facing the ocean. But, they were all either full, or really pricey (over $700/month). We settled on Sea Breeze based on cost, location right on the water, and a the fact there’s a gym 5 minutes away for Rob.

We immediately took notice of the many social activities here, including a potluck dinner Thursday night. We signed up for it so we could meet some people and that we did! Betty came to sit at our table that night and we learned she is a friend of the owners and the unofficial social convener for the park. She insisted that we had to come to the Valentines dinner on Saturday. It was only $15 each, so we agreed.

I found out about an arts and crafts market in a town about 80 miles away, but it’s only on every second Saturday monthly. This was my only chance to go, so I headed out on my own for Goliad, Texas while Rob stayed behind to do some things around the RV park.

It was an interesting drive. I saw Texas longhorns (cattle), sheep, and a whole lotta nothin’ in between little towns. Again I noticed signs that Texas is just a little a little different. There’s gun shops and signs of “guns for sale” everywhere, and road signs that say “Don’t mess with Texas“. It refers to littering on the roads, but I think it’s a broader statement than that, or at least that’s how I read it. I wish I had stopped to take photos of the longhorns and signs, cause I never did get these later.

An old house I saw while driving through Refugio, TX

Driving along, I remember thinking, “this better be worth it” cause it was a long way to go by myself. Once I got there though, it was well worth it. Goliad is full of history. There’s a Spanish mission, an old fort, and lots of great old architecture in the town including a fabulous courthouse in the town square, I’d learn more about later.

Goliad Arts and Crafts Market

I wandered around and checked out the vendors’ wares, which were spread out around the courthouse. There were several stalls selling knives – for hunting, fighting, or . . . I don’t know what and I don’t want to know. There were also a lots of art pieces with stars, the Texas state flag, or Texas map on them. I can’t remember if I mentioned this or not, but Texans often fly the state flag either instead of, or alongside the American one. More than I’ve noticed ever in other states. I’m ashamed to admit, I don’t think I even know what our Alberta flag looks like.

Texas Lone Stars, Flags and State Symbols Everywhere

Food for sale was pretty much all junk. Cotton candy, corn dogs, popcorn, fries, etc but there also a couple interesting offerings. Giant BBQ’ed turkey legs were $5 and trash can fries which were cooked in the big metal trash can full of hot oil (see photo below). The fries were very different. The guy making them put a whole potato into a machine that sort of peeled it into one big long ruffle looking thing. So kind of like kettle chips, but not cut into single chips. I got a bowl of chili because I wanted to try real Texas style stuff. That and I only had $3 left after buying a few things and chili was $3 – so there you go. It was disappointing though, just meat, no beans, no peppers, no onions, nothing. It was like eating spaghetti meat sauce by itself and it wasn’t even spicy either.

After I ate I walked around the square and took photos. I met a couple of old guys who were also winter Texans. They told me about the “hanging tree” in front of the Goliad courthouse that was actually used for just that purpose, back in the day. They also told me that just about every town in Texas has a fancy courthouse dating back over 100 years. Apparently they competed with each other to make theirs bigger and better than the last. It is a stunning looking building.

Goliad Courthouse

Goliad County Courthouse built in 1894

Here’s some other photos from around Goliad:

Goliad Mission Espiritu Santu

Next up was Mission Espiritu Santo. I didn’t stoop to read about it much but it’s another of Texas’ historic Spanish missions dating back to the late 1700’s or earlier. This one is pretty well preserved, and the Spanish influence is obvious on the architecture style.

You’re going to want to see all the photos of Mission Espiritu Santu and Presidio La Bahia in Goliad.

On the way back to Portland, I saw this little plane doing crop dusting. He’d do one row, pop up over the road and wires, turn around and make another pass. It was neat to watch but I wondered what sort of noxious crap he was putting into the air.

The Valentine’s dinner was pretty good and we sat with Rick and Linda from Ontario. Rob made a new friend in George (who lives across from us) as he supplied sangria to those that wanted it all night, and George willingly partook. Betty even introduced us and any other new comers to the park, and we met Dora and Otto (the Seabreeze RV Park owners) for the first time. Everyone else left by about 7:30pm, but we stayed until after 9 talking about wine, travels, and RV stuff with Rick and Linda. She convinced us we needed to play in the RV Olympics next week – so we agreed to that too. We decided we really liked it here. Great location, great price, and really friendly “folk”.