We got back on Sunday, and I’ve been working on the pictures for uploading ever since.  I’ve found that I need to be aware of the resolution setting on my cameras (Clem’s as well since I use his pictures too).  You see, when I upload into NextGen, I start having problems if the photo is over 10mb.  Honestly 10mb is plenty big enough for almost anything I’ll ever want to do with these photos (unless I think I’ll start making big County posters).  So I go through all of the pictures (Clem’s & mine) and try to reduce them to a manageable number.  Then I have to go to another program – I’m using Adobe Photoshop – and reduce the resolution of each individual picture.  Sure can take a lot of time.  And then I have to create the thumb, and then I have to create the index file so that you can easily find each county, and then I have to document any impressions or stories associated with each county, and then…and then… and then..

Hope you get the idea – it takes a lot of time and effort to get each county ready – so that’s why I’m so slow in uploading counties we’ve already done.

Speaking of that – we’re not at 100!  That’s right.  We’ve photographed 100 of the 254 counties in Texas.

The Valley trip was nice.  It’s just so HOT!!!  Everywhere in Texas.  The RV park we stayed at was OK – but they didn’t have cable, and they didn’t have wi-fi.  Without wi-fi, it’s difficult to blog daily while on the road  It’s not impossible, but difficult.  So I did blog some, but not as frequent as I would I wanted.  The courthouses were a mix-bag.  Hidalgo is very modern and easily skipped.  Starr and Willacy counties are sadly in disrepair – though the visit to Willacy was special (go to the Willacy page and see for yourself).  Both Cameron and Brooks Counties have early 1900’s courthouses that have been renovated and sparkle.  Do not miss the Cameron County Courthouse if your looking for the best of Texas.  The interior is absolutely spectacular!

Sorry about this long blog – but I do have one other item I want to share today.  I have friends and family that have been checking into the site through Facebook.  One of Clem’s cousins suggested adding churches.  Check under ‘Other’ and you’ll find different things we’ve encountered in our travels.  Historic jails, abandoned courthouses, etc.  I’ve added churches now.  We did some in the Valley.  I also have a photo collection of the ‘Painted Churches’ I hope to add later.  You’ll find other interesting topics there as well.