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Goodbye to a place.
#7446495
02/28/19 03:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,231
Creekrunner
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OP
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Last Friday we drove out of our little farm for the last time. We’ve owned it for 21 years. My parents bought the place across the road 50 years ago. Both had 1870’s German homestead homes on them – one room log cabins with solid rock rooms added on piece by piece. My family put their heart and soul in these places. You cross this creek as you enter my place (the creek in “Creekrunner”). What this picture doesn’t explain is that on a weekend that has sunshine and a temp above 50, the sound of motorcycles is now almost constant during daylight hours. Or on the surrounding properties, where almost hermit-like old Germans used to reside in their crumbling old homes, tending their sheep, praying for rain, and scraping a living out of sub-par soil, huge new homes have been built or are being planned. Or that now there’s an annual run on the county road out front where all the wannabes drop their water cups everywhere, like they’re running the Boston. And the bicycles, holy cow, the bicycles. I’m not the type to try and stop change or progress. It’s a free country and I am a believer in the free market. I do know though that you can love a place to death. It’s time for us to move on and bid farewell to the Hill Country. It will always be a part of me. I knew a Luckenbach before even Hondo took it over with his crew. Every old place had double-fence grown over lanes around the edges for moving livestock. They were probably great for game such as quail, etc. I remember all the neighbors speaking German to each other and their children and, slowly, begrudgingly, but eventually completely accepting us “outsiders”. One could say we were part of this invasion, starting back in 1968; I get that. But my parents tried to learn as much as possible about the history of the place and, in my eyes, really tried to show respect for what came before them. Now it seems like a wild contest to see who can snatch up the next hill to build a look-at-me house looking down on the neighbors. ‘Sorry if I sound bitter. Change isn’t always a universal joy to all involved, but, nevertheless, inevitable. I hope all my former neighbor “ego farmers” find what they’re all looking for. Lots of good times with family and friends. My daughters caught their first fish in the creek. The original Pinta Trail runs down one side of it. Apaches, Comanches, Spaniards, German immigrants (including Meusebach), Texas Rangers and cavalry all passed by at one time. Here’s the best animal I that I ever took on the place. All these pictures, except for the axis, were taken by my son, during his own goodbye to the place.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446498
02/28/19 03:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,231
Creekrunner
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...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446500
02/28/19 03:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,573
deewayne2003
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I know what you mean, I’m in excavation and the amount of land change is staggering
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446501
02/28/19 03:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,231
Creekrunner
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...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446503
02/28/19 03:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,231
Creekrunner
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Onward!
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446504
02/28/19 03:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078
TKandMike
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That's sad to say goodbye to a place that's been in the family for so many years. Sounds like y'all got real good use out of it.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446508
02/28/19 03:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
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Good write up sir. You can sell the place, but you'll always have those memories
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446512
02/28/19 03:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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beautiful piece of property; I'd be hard pressed to sell that!
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446514
02/28/19 03:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,482
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,482 |
Hate to see "progress" take over special places but it happens every day it seems. Good pictures and tribute to the old place.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446515
02/28/19 03:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 19,161
Mr. Clean
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I think I have tears in my eyes.....sad. Journey on, build your new memories on a place that you make your own. I have leased a place for 11 years and I can only imagine how you feel.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446517
02/28/19 03:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,802
Black Duck Dog
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Awesome story I feel for you ! Good Luck go make some new memories on a new place but Take your Time God Bless you and your Family
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446525
02/28/19 03:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,845
Stub
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Creek thanks for sharing your memories, cannot fathom all of the great times your family must have enjoyed there
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446529
02/28/19 03:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,949
don k
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I know exactly what you mean. Bandera when we moved here in 1963 was a quiet place except on Sat. nights when those from San Antonio and Houston came to town to get drunk.. I could go to the post office and always knew those that were in there getting mail. Now very seldom even know one. The surrounding hills were dark at night. Now there are lights all over. Sunday mornings were nice and quiet. Now you hear motorcycles. But I am too old to move so I will just have to live with it for my remaining years.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446545
02/28/19 03:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
rjf1911
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I am not a frequent poster ( 200 in 10 years), but I read a lot.
This would be, without question, in my top 5.
Everything changes....that's life, but the things that shouldn't make me a bit sad.
Glad you have the memories.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446546
02/28/19 03:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241 |
Hope you kept those license plates!!
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446553
02/28/19 04:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Sad for your family. And they call it progress....
FWIW I can empathize. The "small town" I grew up in is not 15X the size and in no way resembles the place I knew. My folks moved West, civilization is close behind....
I realized about a year ago that when my kids are grown a rural 30-acre piece will probably be a very "big place" to most.
Great post sir.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Stub]
#7446559
02/28/19 04:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,785
Mr. T.
THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 7,785 |
Creek thanks for sharing your memories, cannot fathom all of the great times your family must have enjoyed there X2...Good luck on your next adventure seeking a new place. Seeing little ones in the photos, make memories on your new place that will last two life times.
Cabin rental in Pagosa Springs, Co. Sleeps 10, If interested please PM me.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446639
02/28/19 04:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,533
redchevy
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Posts: 39,533 |
Great photos thanks for sharing.
I hunted on a hill country lease in a similar area. Those old square heads... which im proud to be descended from were good people. They didn't allow guests, if it wasn't your wife or child and they weren't a paying member they weren't allowed on the property. Brought my Opie along once to help set up a new stand and he said something in German. As we were leaving for the weekend the old land lady told us Opie was welcome back any time. It was a treat to them to find someone they could talk German to. We stopped hunting that place over 10 years ago and at that time the drone of motorcycles over a mile away was already an all day thing sitting in the stand.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446659
02/28/19 05:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,403
Choctaw
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Beautiful photographs of a very sad event. I too share your lament that this is called "progress." We are rapidly losing who and what we were and no amount of pretty houses (they all look the same) and strip malls can replace that.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446666
02/28/19 05:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,201
Theringworm
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Onward! Well after reading all that, the last pic pretty much choked me up. Dang you Creekrunner. Sad to hear. Hopefully there are greener pastures down the road for you all. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446667
02/28/19 05:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,568
Son of a Blitch
Extreme Tracker
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Thanks for sharing. I have been down this road with a family ranch that was split up...hurts a lot to know I won't be back at certain places - where I caught my first fish, learned to ride a tractor, etc. The tides that change are not always easy. Glad you have lifetimes of memories there. Great photos as well! I hope you were able to grab some keepsakes to put at your home, or your next ranch, to remind you of the family place.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446674
02/28/19 05:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 590
HWY72
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 590 |
Nice post Creek. That's some beautiful country up there. I wish you and your family all the best.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446687
02/28/19 05:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,414
ZK-315
Veteran Tracker
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Great pics and hate to hear such a memorable place is leaving yall, but on to greener pastures and hope the next place will make as many new memories for yall.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Choctaw]
#7446688
02/28/19 05:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
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Beautiful photographs of a very sad event. I too share your lament that this is called "progress." We are rapidly losing who and what we were and no amount of pretty houses (they all look the same) and strip malls can replace that. No kidding. My FIL lives in Gruene and has a deer lease nearby. The noise of motorcycles is a constant. People everywhere. Gruene hall so packed that we've stopped going down there for beer and music. Sorry to see you leave your family place but I can understand why. Too many dang people moving to the hill country. Hell, too many people moving to Erath county as well.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Goodbye to a place.
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7446712
02/28/19 05:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,716
Lazyman
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We went through the same thing in 2008. My parents owned 80 acres just outside of Mansfield that my great grand parents bought it in 1908. A lot of industrial companies had started to move in and it just wasn't country anymore. A man came in and made an offer my dad couldn't turn down seeing what was potentially in store for the future of everything around. Now there's warehouses and all industrial companies where the property was and half million to million dollar homes across the street where it was open farm land. Very sad to see. We also had a rock lined well like the one in your pics.
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