Author Archives: PapaWes

Quite a few years ago Camille and I were up in the mountains south of South Fork, Colorado. We had been going up in the area for over 30 years. We were just cruising back roads one year while on a ski trip and discovered a forest service road numbered 360. At the time weContinue reading “TRAIL TEAM 360”

Camille, Alex and I are heading up to Colorado starting September 23. Our plans are to drive to Dalhart, spend the night at an overnight campground, then drive to Clayton, NM the next day. Twelve miles north east of Clayton are two markers I want to see. The first is the northwest most corner ofContinue reading “2024 Fall Colors Off Road Adventure”

Storytime with Papa Wes 40 + years ago, I was a firefighter in the town I still live in. Two other firefighter and I planned a 2 day fishing/camping trip down to Mustang Island on the Gulf of Mexico. We would take Bob’s truck since he had a slide in camper and his boat. WeContinue reading “Fishing Trip to Mosquito Island State Park”

So somewhere back around 1975 or 76, when I still lived in LaMarque and worked for the LaMarque Fire Department, I was on my 24 hour shift at station 1 when we received a mutual aid call from Texas City Fire Department. They had a major fire in the old downtown area on Sixth street.Continue reading “Ya better pay Attention”

Story time with Papa Wes Adventures – Hummingbird kisses For many years I taught swift water rescue to quite a few people. Although the content of the training was serious, there were many funny moments. This is one of those. Most of the training sites we use are chosen to replicate flooding situations. The intentContinue reading “Hummingbird Kisses”

Several people asked about some of the gear that we have purchased and added to our camping / ATV / Jeep inventory. As I remember the items, I will provide a link where I got them. These are in no particular order. XYJ Authentic Since 1986,Outstanding Ancient Forging,6.7 Inch Full Tang,Serbian Chefs knife,Chef Meat Cleaver,KitchenContinue reading “2023 Fall Colors Gear List”

Story time with Papa Wes – Anchorage, Alaska fifteen + years ago. I was hired to work with the Anchorage Fire Department teaching boat rescue. I flew up and conducted 7 days of training for shift personnel out in Cook Inlet. This was in June and the weather was great. Still cold in the morningContinue reading “Alaska’s Got Wildlife”

Storytime with Papa Wes Twenty five or so years ago, we were headed to Red River, New Mexico for the annual Ski Trip. The route would take us from New Braunfels to Las Vegas, NM and then up to Mora, NM. It had started snowing in Las Vegas and we were way behind our normal schedule.Continue reading “Something to Cool Your Mind”

Once again it’s almost time. End of June and it’s time for higher altitude, cooler temperatures and camping in the mountains. This time we are taking some old friends and their Jeep. As usual, when we get up in the mountains, it means no cell service so you won’t see much of the trip tillContinue reading “June Jeep Trip to Colorado”

Galveston Island East Beach Just after I graduated from High School, I worked for the La Marque Fire Department. Our shifts were 24 hrs on and 48 hrs off. During the two days off, I would make myself available as a volunteer firefighter and as a member of a water rescue team that covered allContinue reading “Story Time with Papa Wes”