This photo gallery's intended use is to share images that pertain to repair projects, especially those relating to "Project: Ressurect-24." That said, I will be setting-up new albums that will include photographs, and perhaps some videos, that relate to my travels, locally and internationally! After all, transportation-means were invented to facilitate travel! I will add the launching buttons to said pages, below this introduction, as I create them.

> The page is optimized for desktop viewing <

THIS PARK...

Cedar Hill State Park, like that of Cleburne, was, and to a great extent still is, one of my favorite parks in the DFW metro area, especially for camping and hiking. I have been frequenting this location since I was in college! It's where I had my first boat docked (a slip at Mildred's Oasis), and where I spent many a Thanksgiving holiday camping with my best friend, and brother, Michael Davis, and his family!

I lost count of the number of times I evangelized for this location, and promoted it within my network, as a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life, and transition, if only for a relatively short while, to a tranquil oasis in the mist of seemingly unpolluted nature!

THIS TRIP...

This trip's experience was a little bit different... sadly, I must report, to the negative side of things. How? Well, the park itself is still relatively awesome, and the staff who manage the office are as friendly as they come, but, the types of people who visit the park, and use the lake, have become, well, let's say 'a bit more diverse...' hell! more rude! Generally, in the past, I observed that those who enjoy spending time in such locales tend to be more "civilized," and friendly, than the average joe, and more considerate. In decades of camping, I do not recall, ever, dealing with:

• People blasting loud music, with pronounced bass that rattles your brain, till 03h00,

• Driving vehicles with loud un-muffled exhaust pipes at the late hours of the night and early mornings,

• While a very few, unfriendly people expressing self-entitlement to such a heightened degree.

Speaking of noise pollution, there were two notable observations, which I experienced, that I did not in the past:

• Apparently, the arrivals and departures airways into, and out of, DFW International Airport have been routed over the park, so, until midnight, the blade-slap, and the roaring and howling, of the loud low-altitude flying helicopters and passenger jets taking-off, and on approach to the airport, can be deafening at times... very distressing, especially for a place where people want to visit to escape such experiences! Please note that such a criticism coming from an avid Av-Geek like me (texaspilots.org) should be heeded, for, normally, the sound of an aircraft in flight is something I adore hearing... I, even, try to guess the manufacturers, and models, of such a craft by the sound of the jets! 😃

• Over two decades of sailing Joe Pool Lake, picnicking, and camping, I've always found the presence of law-enforcement out there to be reassuring and comforting. Their presence on the lake had always kept rowdy teens and tweens in check, and the same applied to intoxicated persons and ill-mannered people of all ages, so that we can, ALL, enjoy our respite in the midst of said nature. On this trip, during two days of the four I spent camping, there were people blasting "music," with sound-systems producing heavy bass that you can feel jarring your heart inside your bosom! One of those days, it was particularly bad, the "music" projecting from a boat on the lake--starting from about 10am until after sunset... nonstop... so much so that the constant bass made me feel nauseated, and a friend who joined me for the day, elected to leave...

... In the past, such uncivilized persons would have been intercepted by the police, and addressed accordingly--especially if they were under the influence, but that was not the case here. Being it the weekend, and after the park ranger station's hours, when we decided to complain, there was nothing that we could do at that level. I recalled that, back in the day, if we noticed such issues, or any dangerous behaviors, we used to call the marina at the Oasis and consult with them, which is what I did. I called, and I was told that the Grand Prairie PD does keep two boats at their slips and maintain a presence, and that I should just contact the non-emergency GPPD number and report the matter.

I did so; the police dispatcher advised that their officers are not at the lake, and even if they were, there is nothing that they will do to remediate the matter. I shared that when such behaviors are exhibited in public, they are usually associate with over indulgence at imbibing alcohol and other intoxicants... she repeated that even then, they, still, would do nothing. I thanked her for taking my call, and we hung-up... as stated, we endured the disturbances until after sunset. It was a truly depressing day! By the by, it was further disappointing, for I was advised the same by the ranger's office, a couple of days later, after I shared my feedback before I left.... that change in processes is truly unacceptable.

The last observation I have has to do with the cleanliness and maintenance of the WC and shower rooms. Without exception, in the past, the facilities were so clean that I seldom ever worried about standing barefooted in the showers (not that I did), or was concerned with touching any of the fixtures... not this time, at the location near my camp site... it reeked of sloppy maintenance by persons who do not take pride in their professional work... While "clean:"

• One of the two commodes in the stalls was removed from the floor, INOP, just sitting there with the sewer hole/pipe exposed.

• The showers were constantly dripping/streaming water (I tried to shut the valve, but the problem apparently was related to the valve seals). Evident from the water stains on the wall, it must have been doing so for sometime.

• The tiles of the bathroom (floors and walls) were so dull from hard-water stains, most probably from improper/sloppy mopping and maintenance.

That said, the facilities were clean enough where I wasn't too concerned about using them, at all.

Between chipped porcelain of the sinks (which is easily reparable), and the graffiti in the WC stalls (which is removable), it was obvious that a different kind of people started frequenting the park... unlike myself, and millions of others, apparently they do not appreciate such places for the natural treasures that they are, and I wish that there was a way to hold them accountable! I am open for applicable constructive and practical ideas to evangelize and action... share them if you've got 'em!

Beside these issues, the park was wonderful; the hiking trails and scenery were lovely (I have the tan that backs my outdoor adventures, and a singular spider bite on my leg 😄😎), and the camp sites were clean with no notable litter, and excellently maintained. The electric power was dependable, and so was the water pressure (while tent camping, I reserved an RV site, so to benefit from the power option so to use my "remote office" infrastructure).

WOULD I VISIT AGAIN?

The million dollar question! Well, while the noise pollution is a deal breaker, maybe after they repair the ice-maker at the station, I may scope-out and choose a different site that, perhaps, is further away from the jet plane paths above, and hence, quieter, and give them another shot, and raise it to their good health! ... If the loud rowdiness at the lake continues, as much as I love the nature there, regrettably, after all this time being a regular visitor, this location will be taken off my list of parks to frequent again.

THE VENUE...

THIS EVENT...

This was the 32nd Annual Big Band Hangar Dance... It's an annual event that takes place in October of every year, and includes dinner and several activates besides the (Swing) dancing event! The dinner began at 6:30pm and lasted until 8:30pm. A Silent Auction was also held, along with the Douglas 1941 C-47 flights (Southern Cross, T-431975). Guests were encouraged to come dressed in their favorite vintage styles and compete for the "Best Dressed" award. This year, I attended as a civilian! 😄 The event lasted till 11pm.

I'd like to start by thanking my dear friend Grace W. for extending the invitation this year, and, also. treating me to the event! While I was planning to attend with my friend and brother Douglas (Doc) Dow (or as I often call him: Double-D), it's always a special thing when a beautiful woman, and a phenomenal dancer, asks you out! 😄

In fact, in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, I almost forgot about the event, and while I was reminded of it by Doug the day before, I still didn't prioritize it as I used to do in the past, due to some important work at hand that I wanted to wrap up. Grace's call was the clincher--although I had shared with her the same conditions that I did with Doug... I needed to finish the project at hand. I managed to wrap up my work in the nick of time, dressed-up for the event, sent her an attendance confirmation text, and rocketed out to meet with Doug (we car-pooled).

In the excitement, I actually forgot my fountain pen, my bagged Nikon DLSR and Canon video camera, and my business card case, on the couch, after I embarked on a search looking for my Ray-Bans, following a change of jackets! So, as you view the images, please heave mercy, and take that into consideration... I had to use my phone's camera. My photography skills are notably better than what these images may reflect! 😅

Of course... acting silly, on arrival, after not seeing each other for a while! 🤪

While I was looking forward to spending some time with good friends, frankly, flying on the 1941 Douglas C-47 was the next best thing after dancing with Grace... well, she danced... I'm not sure what I was doing! 😂

I learned that this particular aircraft, which is, now, configured to carry 17 passengers, was ordered by TWA for passenger service with Wright Cyclone engines and was completed in December of 1941. Due to the attack on Pearl Harbor, many aircraft were pressed into military service and 6315 was no exception. Its first job in service was as a troop carrier and paratroop trainer. Its official designation by the Army Air Corps was C-49J due being equipped with Wright engines in place of the standard Pratt and Whitney engines.

After the war, it changed hands many times. Immediately following the war, it was returned to its original purpose of passenger carriage. It was owned by Chicago and Southern Airlines until 1953 when the airline and all its planes were bought by Delta. It flew under Delta colors until it was sold to the President of Mexico. At this time the interior received a makeover to suit presidential status, including upgrades such as a wrap-around couch, a bathroom, complete galley, and the portrait windows. The engines were also updated at this time to the higher horsepower 1820-72 engines.

Following its presidential service, it was purchased by a skydiving operator who immediately ripped out all the interior upgrades in an effort to make the plane as light as possible and installed even larger engines, a pair of 1820-76Ds, (1475hp each) the same engines that are installed on the HU-46 Albatross!

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota (RAF designation) remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years. It was produced in approximately triple the numbers as the larger, much heavier payload Curtiss C-46 Commando, which filled a similar role for the U.S. military. Approximately 100 countries' armed forces have operated the C-47 with over 60 variants of the aircraft produced. As with the civilian DC-3, the C-47 remains in service in the present day, over 80 years after the type's introduction. You can learn more about this aircraft by visiting the dedicated Wikipedia page.

Back to this event... A few of us boarded the aircraft shortly after 20h00... as usual, there were a couple of stragglers who kept the flight waiting for an extra 10 minutes while they were dancing, but, would I blame them? No! This wasn't my first time onboard a vintage WW-2 aircraft (more can be found at http://www.texaspilots.org/Album.html), but this was to be my first night flight on board such a beautiful piece of equipment! What a gal!

WOULD I ATTEND AGAIN?

Of course! I'd do so in a heartbeat (and, I'd encourage you to do so, too!), especially if joined with the same gang lead by my pal, Grace! 🤩 Moreover, I learned that there will be another flight on board the same aircraft... flying at low altitudes, passengers will see Lake Arlington’s Interlochen Christmas Lights as well as views of downtown Fort Worth... it'll be my birthday treat before this year is over! Yes, people will be going for the views... I'm going for the flight... the feelings, the sounds, the scents! 🥂