Cold Canyon and Dallas Buyers Club - Sat., Nov. 23

A couple of weeks ago on a Volksmarch meetup, I met Susan M. We hit it off and agreed we'd walk together. Since then she was on a trip to Florida. She's back in town and we did a 10K (6.2 mi) walk today at Crownridge Canyon Natural Area.

A cold walk, I might add. It was 40 degrees F. when we started at 10:15 a.m. In addition there was a chilly wind blowing.

Our first 5K was in the trees in the canyon where we were relatively sheltered. (Every other time I've walked in the canyon and through the Crownridge neighborhood it was 80-90 degrees in spring or summer.) Today we dressed in layers and had hats and gloves. Our attire was appropriate for the weather so we didn't get too cold.

Amazingly, many flowers are still in bloom or, should I say, blooming again.

Trumpet vine

Susan M. with Agave angustofolia 'Marginata' (I think) .

Our steps were brisk and we finished 10K in 2 hours, 10 minutes. To replenish our energy, we had lunch at Taco Cabana. Bob met us at the restaurant and we had a great conversation about many topics.

After lunch, Bob and I went to see "Dallas Buyers Club" with Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. This movie will not be everyone's cup of tea, but we thought it was a very compelling movie. Matthew McConaughey plays an electrician and wannabe rodeo cowboy who contracts the HIV virus. His doctors give him 30 days to live because he is very sick.

This movie is based on the true story of Ron Woodruff. Matthew McConaughey lost 50 pounds to play this character. We are inserted into Ron's life just before he finds out he has AIDS. Hard-partying, heavy drinking and drug use are wreaking havoc on his health.

Once he comes to terms with the fact he indeed has HIV, he reads about AIDS research and alternative treatments. At first, he thinks AZT is the drug that will save his health. Later, he goes to Mexico and brings vitamins and protein back into the U.S. which he then sells through a Dallas Buyers Club. Clients pay $400 a month for membership, then receive their vitamins for free.

He runs afoul of the USDA and IRS for importing unapproved "drugs." His club gets raided. Undaunted, he travels to Japan, Israel and other countries to find the medications he needs to help him survive.

If you do not like strong language or movies about homophobia, AIDS and death, this movie will not be for you.

In the evening, Bob took me to Random Event Center in Boerne where we shared a Sam Adams Cherry Chocolate beer. For dinner we ate fish and chips from Hippie Momma's food truck at Random.

Bob's son, Randall, the bartender

Prosit! Samuel Adams Cherry Chocolate Boch seasonal beer.

Many, many beers on tap!

Mary, one of the Random owners

Will Owen Gage playing live music at Random.

We thought we'd be able to watch the Blazers play the Warriors tonight because the pre-game show was on one of the big-screen TVs; however, as soon as it was time for the game to start, the station cut off and showed that we would have to pay to view the game. Oh well.

Home was beckoning. We were cold and tired.

Tomorrow we may go to Austin with Susan M. and her husband, Darren. We want to do the Capitol Volksmarch. It all depends on the weather. Forecast calls for 70% chance of rain and very cold temps.

Good night from the kitties and me.

Sunnie and Bowie

Sunnie and Bowie