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For Memorial Day this year, my (beautiful, thoughtful, magical) wife (who always seems to know exactly what I need even when I don't) has secured us a reservation in a cabin at "Caddo Lake State Park":http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/caddo_lake/ for 3 nights (Fri, Sat, and Sun). I only wish it was Friday morning already because I'm ready to get away.

With partly cloudy skies and only minimal chances of rain, there will be lots of photographs to be had. Highs will be in the lower 90s to upper 80s, which is nice and warm. The Dew Point will be near 70, which is quite muggy, but, we'll make do.

There are hiking and biking trails all over the place surrounding one of the largest Cypress Swamps in the world as well as Texas' only natural lake. I've got a few calls in to see about renting a canoe or motor boat, or taking a group trip on a pontoon boat. The fact that our cabin is in the state park will make hiking out for sunrise, sunset and midnight photography opportunities very easy. And our air conditioned cabin, hot showers, and outdoor grill will make relaxing even easier than that.

There are birds, deer, turtles, frogs, snakes, raccoons, minks, beavers, squirrels, armadillos, and even *alligators* (Jess' personal favorite) in the wildlife management area. I'm very excited.

We'd love to have company if any locals are interested in the short journey eastward. I didn't make any specific invitations because that always ends up bringing me down. If you'd like to go and are at least 95% sure that you can, let me know. Otherwise, I'll see you when we get back.

Of course, now I'm debating purchasing a very wide lens ("Tokina 12-24mm f/4″:http://www.adorama.com/TN1224NKAF.html) for landscapes, a nice well rounded lens ("Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR":http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=revjimnet-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&path=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000BY52NU) for lots of use without having to change lenses, and/or a fantastically fast long lens ("Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR":http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=revjimnet-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&path=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB00009MDBQ). If 50 people subscribe to "Five-A-Week":http://revjim.net/five-a-week/ I'll bite the bullet and buy all three.