Rio Concho in San Angelo

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After waking up at Waldorf we decided not to park again o­n a slant as we roll to
that side and sleep uncomfortably. We did some almost forgotten shopping and
drove down to the Concho River where we did our morning constitutional. Before
long we were head into a group of 5-K runners. They did not want to give up the
sidewalk so we chose another route that brought us through the historic part of
town. Today mostly antique shops the old town is still busy. The facades of the
buildings remain oldwest, and the insides stil awit customers. We worked our way
around and back to the river just in time for the last of the runners which were
mostly women and children strolling along.

The day past as we sat. The river is calm and still. The reflection of the
stonework from the visitor center goes deep into the water. Small fish, turtles
and ducks find the water home. Will tossed some crackers to the birds, mostly
sparrows and a few grackles. They would flutter away as he tossed the crumbs and
hop close to gobble into their beaks as much as possible then fly off. o­nce in a
while a larger piece would break off and be snatched away to some far off
location to be devoured.

Melanie joined us, a Janice Joplin type in a bright tyedye dress and sandles.
She asked or a tour of the Raodtrek which Kathy gave. Melanie made herself at
hme in the driver's lounge chair and told of her childhood of travle and
therfore the stability of a hometown for her own children. We moved to the
outside picnic bench. Will finally retreated to the van to work o­n reciepts and
budget leaving Kathy to sit with Melanie. They talked of children; she has twins
now 19. They talked of travel; when her children were three she took them o­n a
6-week trip around the country in a trailer. Melanie brought out her 12-string
guitar and offered to show Will some guitar tricks, but he was busy. She played
a song and strummed a bit between comments to Kathy who was working her word
search and catching up o­n e-mails. Melanie departed with a comment about feeding
her dog.

Many people walk o­n the path along the river: families with children running,
lovers hand in hand, friends deep in conversation, walkers talking o­n cell
phones and those o­n missions of exercise or purpose. Familes come down along the
river to celebrate birthdays. Beside us balloons and laughter and an outcry of
"Happy Birthday" tuned us in. The park also has a golf course, playground,
miniture golf course and picnic tables. Lots of people come and go. Some come to
fish. We watched some young boys pull five little fish out of the river.

Waterfalls along the path pump water from the river which then falls over
decrative rocks forming puddles and cascades back into the river. Many of these
are filled with a thick dark green algae. Across from us sits the visitor
center. Groups of baseball little leaguers waiting for the weekend games meander
about, brides pose for photographers, families discuss where to go and o­nlookers
look. All the while we sit under our trees.

Kathy got some emails finished; Will got the budget caught up. Buffalo Wildwings is where we played some NTN before returning to Walmart and a good nights sleep.

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