"The New York Cocoon"

A great slammer by John Leo of U.S. News and World Report.



[Hat tip: Jack Fowler at The Corner.]

Windows Crash on The Strip

Someone was quick on the draw and captured this amusing scene in Las Vegas.

The Lone Tree at Enchanted Rock

I joined a few friends for a hike up Enchanted Rock, an amazing batholith located about 2.5 hours west of Austin. The weather was very hot, causing my dog Jodi to go into "maximum pant" mode.



According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the rock "is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres." The rock is "exfoliating" because huge slabs have broken away and are slowly sliding off the mountain.



The "Lone Tree" picture is my first semi-decent attempt at black-and-white digital photography. I'm always amazed at the tenacity of life. Flora and fauna, given the slightest chance, will try to flourish in the most unlikely areas, including the face of an otherwise barren rock.



A few more pictures can be seen here.